THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will never truly die....

On January 31, 1967, the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines Command Post at Duc Pho Airfield came under a simultaneous small arms and mortar attack. Beginning at approximately 10:00 PM, the Viet Cong fired some 40 rounds of 60mm mortar fire from a nearby location and conducted a heavy probe of the perimeter. The perimeter defenses turned back the VC, killing several of the enemy. The Marines fired 81mm counter-mortar concentrations and 105mm concentrations against possible VC exfiltration routes as the enemy broke contact and withdrew. Contact could not be regained by pursuing American forces. Captured equipment included two Russian rifles, several grenades, and bamboo satchel charges. Evidence suggested that the attack was led by a sapper-type unit. One of the 3/7 Marines, rifleman CPL John A. Frederick, was critically injured in the attack when he suffered fragmentation wounds to his face and chest plus internal injuries to his spleen and chest. He was evacuated first to the 1st MED Battalion in Chu Lai and eventually transferred to the U.S. Navy Hospital in Great Lakes, IL. He was released from the USN Hospital on July 31, 1968 and retired from active duty due to the nature of his wounds. Frederick died on February 6, 1989, at the age of 41 from complications due to the injuries he sustained in Vietnam. His name was added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in in May 2006. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, findagrave.com, and Command Chronology, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), January 1967]

Corporal John Frederick Anthony, Served with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

You have 2 beautiful grandchildren you would have loved. We love you and carry you in our thoughts every day.
I married Frazier and we just celebrated our 23rd Anniversary. We're coming to see you in DC next summer.
Rest in peace

DEAR CORPORAL ANTHONY,
THANK YOU FOR BEING A MARINE GRUNT. SEMPER FI AND REST IN PEACE WITH THE ANGELS.