THE WALL OF FACES

The 11th Armored Cavalry “Blackhorse” Regiment was a mechanized infantry unit which conducted reconnaissance, surveillance, and security missions. Arriving in South Vietnam in September 1966, the regiment utilized M113 armored personnel carriers (APC’s) and M551 Sheridan medium tanks and could attack or defend with either mounted or dismounted infantry. In early 1972, the regiment was one of the few U.S. units remaining in South Vietnam. The Blackhorse troopers were pulled back from offensive operations and now mostly defended vital military installations in Bien Hoa Province. Contact with the enemy was reduced but occasional skirmishes occurred. On January 10, 1972, G Troop, 2nd Squadron was conducting ground operations in an area 16 kilometers (10 miles) north of Bien Hoa city when a single Viet Cong was observed, then disappeared into the undergrowth. The APCs and tanks stopped, and the troopers dismounted. Unbeknownst to them, they had come upon a massive underground enemy bunker complex. The insurgents opened fired at the Americans from holes in the ground, killing one trooper and critically wounding another. They returned fire at the unseen enemy for several minutes before it was clear they had vanished into their subterranean shelters. Lost in the engagement was SP4 Roger J. Kojetin. G Troop’s company commander, CPT William M. Clark, was wounded in the abdomen by enemy rifle fire. A medivac helicopter carried Clark and Kojetin to a nearby evacuation hospital; Clark was later flown to a U.S. military hospital in Hawaii where he expired January 23, 1972. Both men were posthumously awarded the Bronze Star medal. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Daniel Raye (May 2025) and Anonymous (June 2025)]

Taken from the Great Falls Tribune (Great Falls, MT), January 13, 1972.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your cousin Kathleen Westrom Sanders is touching and reflects her admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

I was with you that day , I watched you get hit , I gave you my breath and it was for vein ! This is the first time I am able to write about it !

Specialist Four Roger John Kojetin was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, with Combat Distinguishing Device (V), for his gallantry in action. He was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Merit for his sustained meritorious service. He served as an Armor Crewman and was assigned to G TRP, 2ND SQDN, 11TH ARMORED CAVALRY.
See https://army.togetherweserved.com/