THE WALL OF FACES

DEAR PETTY OFFICER BATCHELDER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A BOATSWAIN'S MATE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE. ADVENT IS HERE, AND CHRISTMAS IS APPROACHING. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU. THE NEW YEAR IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.

I am was so sad when Petty Officer Batchelder got killed in Viet Nam. Me and Petty Officer Batchelder were stationed on the same ship prior going to Viet Nam. We went thru survival school together. While both of us were sent to Viet Nam together. He was on a different PBR in Viet Nam. I still rember the day he got killed. He has never been out of my mind after all these years! I am so sorry for his family. I will never get him out of my mind until I die!!!! I am 100% permanent disabled from exposure to Agent Orange while serving on the River Patrol Boats!!!!!

Petty Officer Batchelder may GOD be holding your hand in heaven!!!!!

Batch & I had some high old times together. He was always in good humor and fearless. I cleaned his .38 a kazillion times. Our PBR 77 crew was EN3 Reed, BM3 Vargas, GMG3 Klipp & BM1 Batchelder. Complete lack of adult supervision.

A page from Newsweek magazine of May 7, 1968, show BM1 James E. Williams receiving he Medal of Honor from President Johnson. A description of the event is barely legible in the middle of the righthand column.

ENFN Alderson, ETR3 Castleberry, BM1 James Elliott Williams, SN Ruben Binder. . Official U.S. Navy Photograph. 1966. This would be the original PBR-105 crew. Williams won the Medal of Honor. Binder won the Navy Cross. Castleberry was killed May 24, 1967.