THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Dear Cpl Thomas Larson, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. 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.

Corporal Thomas Lloyd Larson, Served with Company A, 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, United States Army Vietnam.

I am honored to have been selected as the reader of Cpl. Larson's name during the 35th anniversary of "The Wall" ceremony. I was in the bush (RTO in 1st platoon) with Co. A the night of the mortar/small arms fire attack where Tom was KHA.

Operation Iron Mountain was a unilateral and combined operations with ARVN and provincial forces in the Quang Ngai Province to find, fix and destroy enemy main force and local force units in the 11th Brigade’s TAOR (Tactical Area of Responsibility) and TAOI (Tactical Area of Interest) and to interdict enemy supply and communication lines. On September 21, 1969, Alpha Company 4-3 Infantry used a night defense position which they had previously occupied during the operation. Unbeknownst to them, the enemy had bracketed the position, and at 1905 hours their location received thirty 82mm mortar rounds and small arms fire from all around perimeter. Three of the mortar rounds landed directly in fox holes. Alpha Company initially reported four U.S. KHA (killed hostile action) and five WHA (wounded hostile action). At 2000 hours that report was amended when Alpha Company added seven more KHA and six more WHA for a total of eleven U.S. KHA and eleven U.S. WHA. All eleven KHA had been occupying the foxholes bracketed by the mortar fire. The first dustoff (medical evacuation by helicopter) for six U.S. WHA was completed at 2000 hours. At 2100 hours, Alpha Company reported the 11 KHA and 10 WHA were dusted off with one WHA remaining in the field due to minor wounds. The KHA personnel included SFC Joe A. Foster Jr., SGT Wilfredo B. Andrada, SP4 Henry M. Stewart Jr., CPL Dennis L. Bartlebaugh, CPL Davitt J. Franks, SP4 Larry C. Hathcock, PFC Thomas L. Larson, PFC Michael J. Pacheco, PVT Gregorio P. Castillo, PVT Steven V. Elting (medic on loan from Bravo Company 4/3), and PFC Carl A. Dean. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, 1-20infantry.org, and americal4ofthe3.com]