THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from your wife Marion are poignant and reflect her enduring love for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

On the morning of February 6, 1967, A Company, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade conducted search and destroy operations in their area of responsibility. During the mission, A Company discovered a large cache of weapons and rice. These were policed up, and by early afternoon the company was on helicopters being returned to base. During the flight, however, they were diverted and put down in a large patch of elephant grass near Binh Tho, east of Saigon (center) in Gia Dinh Province, RVN, and instructed to search and clear the area. While being inserted, they received sporadic enemy fire. Once on the ground, the company became engaged with a large-sized Viet Cong (VC) force. As the point element moved away from the landing zone, the squad up front was hit hard, suffering heavy casualties. The company maneuvered to flank the enemy which moved inside the attempted envelopment. The Americans were now under heavy fire from multiple directions as UH-1C helicopter gunships and artillery support were brought to bear on the enemy. The VC retreated into reinforced bunkers constructed along a canal where they fought until escaping before sunset. U.S. losses were five killed and thirteen wounded. The lost personnel included SSG Samuel J. Brown, PFC Jimmy L. Bussey, PFC Ronald W. McNeilly, SSG William Roberts, and PFC Samuel D. Thompson. One of the wounded, PFC Larry L. Knutson, was medically evacuated to an Army hospital in Japan where he succumbed to his injuries on March 5, 1967. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Don Casey (May 2020)]

Dear PFC Larry Knutson, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Your 73rd birthday is soon, happy birthday. 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.

Memories are what is left, should have been us making more memories..

50 years ago today, I lost my first love, my Infantry husband as I sat bedside in a distant hospital at Camp Drake, Japan near Tokyo. I am ever Grateful I was able to be with you.
You are Gone but Never Forgotten!