THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. May you rest in eternal peace.

I met you when I wrestled on the Cleveland Hill team. What a kind gentleman you were even back then. I went to college for a year then quit to join the Navy and ended up doing three Vietnam deployments on an aircraft carrier. I was stunned to hear of your death. I always stop by your name when I visit The Wall along with the name of a former neighbor, Tommy Dell. I wear a KIA bracelet for each of you and always say your names in prayer at church. God be good to you. We owe it to those who didn't survive to teach to others what we know and to try with what's left of our lives to find some goodness, some meaning to this life.

You came to mine and 2 friends rescue one summer nite in Canada. We all went to Crystal beach on the bus from cheektowaga days. We missed the bus home and you were getting ready to leave and graciously offered us a ride to the states. You had a convertible that was really nice. You dropped us off at our homes and wanted nothing for your time. I never forgot that act of kindness. I took a rubbing of your name from the wall. I remember crying the day the school announced your passing over the PA system. RIP friend

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

Neil Ellis Bateman
DATE OF BIRTH: April 9, 1947
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Buffalo, New York
HOME OF RECORD:
Cheektowaga, New York

Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Rank: Private First Class
Battalion: 1st Battalion (Airborne)
Division: 101st Airborne Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, Task Force Oregon (Provisional), General Orders No. 41 (June 24, 1967)

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Neil Ellis Bateman (ASN: RA-11637874), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Bateman distinguished himself by valorous actions on 15 May 1967 while serving as Point Man for Company B, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, while on a search and destroy mission in the Duc Pho vicinity. While moving down a trail Private First Class Bateman came under intense enemy automatic weapons fire from a well entrenched numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force. Without hesitation, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, he charged forward into the murderous hail of fire being directed at him until he was only forty meters from the enemy emplacements. Upon seeing the rest of his platoon pinned down, he stood up completely exposing himself to the enemy in an attempt to place effective fire on the insurgents, and to draw their fire so that his comrades could withdraw the wounded. After his comrades had withdrawn, Private First Class Bateman remained in his exposed position, undaunted by the torrid wall of fire being directed at him, and continued to place effective suppressive fire on the insurgents until he was killed by machinegun fire. Private First Class Bateman's extraordinary heroism, sound judgment and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.