THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Mameluke Thrust (May 19 - October 23, 1968) was a 1st Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force search and destroy mission into Happy Valley southwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The objective of Mameluke Thrust was spoiling attacks against North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong base areas to preempt any planned offensive against Allied complexes in the Da Nang area. At 1:20 AM on September 17th, a squad from Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines was at a road security defensive position three kilometers (1.8 miles) northwest of Que Son when it was taken under fire by an estimated enemy sapper squad. The enemy fired six B-40 (RPG-2) rocket-propelled grenades, raked the U.S. position with heavy automatic weapons fire, and threw four to five satchel charges before withdrawing to the west. The Marine squad returned fire with unit weapons and requested backup. A reaction force swept the battle area with negative findings. Marine casualties included four killed, two wounded requiring evacuation, and one other with minor wounds. The lost personnel were PFC Ernest J. Baynes, PFC G B Jackson Jr., SGT Fredrick E. Nigh, and PFC Paul M. Presser. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “1st Marine Division (Rein) Command Chronology for September 1968” at ttu.edu]

Remember the night your Mother found out, I went to school with your brother George at Helen Baldwin then. Still think of you.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your sister Dolores is especially touching. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

Still think of you and your sacrifice to your country. You will never be forgotten.

Private First Class Ernest John Baynes, Served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.