THE WALL OF FACES

PFC Earl W. Knutson Jr. was a rifleman assigned to Marine Air Base Squadron 36 (MABS-36), Marine Air Group 36 (MAG-36), 1st Marine Air Wing (1st MAW). He served in a security platoon providing perimeter defense for the sprawling Chu Lai Airfield in Quang Tin Province, RVN. His unit ran day and night patrols and conducted ambush patrols around the complex. During the afternoon and early evening of Christmas Eve 1966, Knutson reportedly celebrated Yuletide cheer in a hooch on base with several Marine buddies. The drinking was excessive, and later that evening, Knutson had to report for perimeter security duty. At some point he left his post and ventured down into a ville adjacent to the base, presumably to continue celebrating Christmastide spirits. At approximately 11:00 PM, Knutson and another Marine tried to reenter Chu Lai Airfield by crawling under the concertina wire on the outer perimeter about a hundred yards south of the main gate. A sentry on duty challenged them six or seven times. Neither responded, and instead, they slid back out from under the wire, stood up, and started running in a southwest direction. Believing they were enemy sappers trying to infiltrate the base, the sentry fired a single round from his M14 rifle, striking Knutson in the right side near the kidney. When the sentries approached them, they were surprised to discover the two intruders were Marines. They did not realize Knutson had been hit because there was no blood nor was an entrance wound visible. Knutson did not speak or make any sound and expired after a few minutes. A Navy corpsman checking his body discovered a small bullet hole in his right side. His remains were taken to Bravo Med at Chu Lai where he was pronounced dead by medical staff. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Larry Whittington and Jack Maiz (May 2020)]

Dear PFC Earl Knutson, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Happy New Year in heaven. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Private First Class Earl William Knutson Jr., Served with Marine Air Base Squadron 36 (MABS-36), Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG-36), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

I didn't know you. I, an 18 year old from half a country and half a century away, found your name at the Vietnam War Memorial and wanted you to know that you will not be forgotten. I ran my fingers over your name and knew that your great and terrible sacrifice did mean something. As time passes, people grow older and memories fade, but I just needed to write this to say that you, Earl, are remembered by at least one person in this world. You mattered and continued to matter in the life of at least one. I hope that now you dwell in a place without war and pain and anguish, that you are in a place where no one is expected to die for the cause of others.

Thank you for your service.

I really looked up to you; you were so special...witty, good looking, original. Beatles were just coming out and you grabbed the microphone in the school gymn and sang their songs. So talented. What a loss.