THE WALL OF FACES

Dear LCPL Raymond Roland Lapointe, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for the ultimate sacrifice that you made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. And please know that men and women like you have stepped forward to defend our country yet again, showing the same love for country and their fellow Americans that you did- you would be proud.

With respect, and the best salute that a civilian can muster for you.

Curt Carter

Rest in peace with the warriors.

"An God said who shall we send.I answered I am here,send me."

Isaiah 6:8

Facta Non Verba
Laus Deo

I still remember his happy face.

I served with LCPL Ray LaPointe in the Weapons Platoon of Kilo Company, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marine Regiment. Late in the afternoon of September 10, 1967 our Battalion was returning to our base camp on Hill 55 after a day-long Search and Destroy mission in the area known as Con Thien, Quang Tri Province. Most of the Battalion was strung out in a very long single file when we were suddenly and unexpectedly attacked by a very large NVA force. LCPL LaPointe and our respective weapons teams were with the lead elements of the Battalion that managed to return to the perimeter before the attack began. However, much of the Battalion that had not yet returned to the perimeter had been killed or wounded out on open ground. The Battalion Command Post was located on the top of Hill 55 and those of us who had returned to the perimeter when the attack began were thinly dispersed around the perimeter.
LCPL Ray LaPointe and his M60 Maching Gun Team were deployed at the main avenue of approach to Hill 55. I was approximately 30 yards from LCPL LaPointe's fighting hole during the attack. High, heavy brush separated our positions therefore I did not have visual contact with him. I could tell, however, that his team was engaged in very heavy fighting. (Later we determined that LCPL LaPointe's M60 team killed approximately 50 NVA soldiers). LCP LaPointe's team had effectively stopped the main NVA attack on Hill 55 until nightfall, when having exhausted their M60 Maching Gun ammunition, their position was overrun. I and my squad regrouped at the top of the hill where we fought throughout the night and were assisted by Jets, Huey Gun Ships, Puff and Artillery. The next morning, I had the sad duty of recovering LCPL LaPointe's body and those of his fire team. As a result of this battle, the Third Battalion of the Twenty-sixth Marine Regiment suffered so many casualties that we were rendered non-combatant.
I will never forget Lance Corporal Ray LaPointe. I can see his face clearly in my mind today. Ray was a soft spoken, quiet person who performed his duty in a professional, military manner.
Lance Corporal Raymond LaPointe is a true American Hero.