THE WALL OF FACES

At 1:11 AM on January 21, 1970, an explosion caused by an enemy mine occurred at the Advanced Tactical Support Base at Go Dau on the Vam Co Dong River. The mine detonated between the galley AMMI pontoon barge and an Armed Troop Carrier 36 (ATC-36). The blast completely demolished the galley AMMI and caused the ATC to sink in three minutes. Of the six U.S. Navy crewmen aboard the ATC, four escaped. Two men, BM3 Ronald S. Athanasiou and ENFN James C. Baumer, were below decks at the time of the explosion. They were killed in the incident. Of the four that escaped, three were slightly wounded. Enemy casualties are unknown. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

DEAR FIREMAN BAUMER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN ENGINE,AN. THE PHOTO OF YOU WITH THE VIETNAMESE CHILD IS TOUCHING. CHRISTMAS IS HERE.AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU. THE NEW YEAR IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.

Dear FN James Charles Baumer, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice 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. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

THE WAR MAY BE FORGOTTEN BUT THE WARRIOR WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED!!!! REST IN PEACE JAMES.

(Photo Credit: Audrey Mackiewicz)

Rest in peace with the warriors.