THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. You died at 18 years of age. I am 74 and have lived a long and fulfilling life. It is tragic you never had that same opportunity. May you rest in eternal peace.

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

PFC William T. La Field Jr. was an infantryman serving with Recon Platoon, E Company, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. At about 1:30 PM on March 12, 1971, La Field and another soldier were returning to their unit’s position approximately two miles south of the hamlet of Thon Ba (6) in Quang Tin Province, RVN. They had just received a resupply, and while going back they took a wrong trail and detonated one of their own mechanical ambush devices. La Field sustained fatal injuries in the blast; the other trooper was injured. The wounded man was “dusted off” (medically evacuated by helicopter) to Fire Support Base Mary Ann, arriving at 2:10 PM. It was later determined that the ambush device had not been tampered with by the enemy and was in the same location where it had been set up. La Field was posthumously promoted to Corporal. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Daily Staff Journal, March 12, 1971” at americalfoundation.org]

CPL William Truman "Billy" Lafield Jr. is buried in the Singing Waters section, lot 194, space 4 of the San Jacinto Memorial Park in Houston, TX.

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Forever 18.

HOOAH

Dear Cpl William Lafield , Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Your 49th anniversary is soon, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. For many of us, we have begun Lent. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.