THE WALL OF FACES

LZ Lima Zulu was located 16 kilometers (9.9 miles) northeast of Dak To in Kontum Province, RVN. During Operation Hawthorne (June 2-21, 1966), the fire support base was the forward location of B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 320th Artillery “Redlegs”, a towed 105mm howitzer unit assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. Security at the LZ was provided by one platoon of “Screaming Eagles” from Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment (Airborne). On the early morning of June 7, 1966, LZ Lima Zulu was subjected to human wave attacks by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) after a heavy mortar barrage. A total of three assaults were made on the American position at 2:15 AM, 2:30 AM, and 4:00 AM, with fighting lasting until 9:00 AM. The security platoon manning the perimeter was no match for the battalion-size NVA force. At one point, the enemy breached the perimeter and overran the Number Six gun. The Redlegs responded by firing “beehive” anti-personnel rounds over open sights at the enemy, breaking the attack and allowing the artillerymen to retake their gun. Artillery was directed against enemy positions on a hillside overlooking the U.S. force, but heavy enemy small arms fire continued to pour on the Americans from the location after the third attack was repulsed. At first light, aerial units working with troops on the ground from A-1/327th put in two napalm strikes on the enemy hill positions. Helicopters and artillery also worked over the positions. Reserve units from 2nd Battalion, 502nd were committed by helicopter, moving southward towards the contact. A Company, 2/502nd engaged an estimated NVA company at 1:03 PM and remained in contact until 7:45 PM with what turned out to be an enemy battalion. A total of twelve air strikes dropped eleven tons of bombs, forcing the enemy to break contact and allow friendly forces to reorganize. The fighting on the June 7th killed 77 enemy. U.S. loss were eight dead. They included (from A-2/320th Arty) PFC John B. Laskey; (from B-2/320th Arty) SGT Jerry D. Carter and CPL Robert B. Hemnes; (from C-2/320th Arty) PVT Robert L. Emerson; (from A-2/502nd Inf) PFC David L. Dodson (SS) and PFC Terry F. Huston (SS); and (from A-1/327th Inf) PFC Richard Garcia and SSG Ira H. Perkins Jr. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org, rjsmith.com, and “Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report, Operation Hawthorne” at apps.dtic.mil]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your brother Delbert is touching and reflects his admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

I miss you my Brother and I have done everything to make sure that you will never be forgotten. You now have a bridge named for you in our hometown of Bristow, Oklahoma and it makes me proud each time I cross it, it also make me miss you each time I cross. You were my hero even before Vietnam but now you're also our country's hero as well. Thank you for the beautiful few years that we spent together, I was only 8 years old but I've cherished you memory for over 56 years at the time of the submission. Rest well Dear Brother until we meet again. HOOAH !!!

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers