THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from your nieces Rhonda Kendall and Deb Smoots are touching and reflect their enduring love for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

FSB Gold was located seventeen miles northwest of Tay Ninh, RVN. During Operation Junction City, the fire base was occupied jointly by the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, and the headquarters and all firing batteries of the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery. At 6:40 AM on March 21, 1967, infantry patrols sweeping the area around Gold made contact with elements of a Viet Cong (VC) force apparently preparing to attack the base. The contact prematurely triggered the attack which began with heavy fire from recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and 60mm and 82mm mortars. At 7:15 AM, the Viet Cong launched a coordinated ground assault from the east, southeast, and north with elements of five battalions under the control of the 272nd Viet Cong Regiment. So violent was the assault that the enemy carried portions of the perimeter, but actions by the field artillery turned the tide. All batteries of the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery engaged the enemy with over 1000 rounds of direct fire, including 30 rounds of beehive. At the same time, three batteries within range added their fire. Further fire support was provided by Air Force tactical air. During the attack, two maneuver battalions of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division were rushed to the scene, catching the enemy forces as they were attempting to withdraw, inflicting further casualties on the VC. The action in and around Gold resulted in 635 VC killed and 7 captured. U.S. losses were 31 killed and 109 wounded. The lost U.S. personnel included SP4 Edward M. Amato, SP4 Herman E. Anders Jr., PFC Matthew D. Atkins III, SP5 Norman L. Balance III, SP4 Michael A. Balzer, SP4 Larry D. Barton, PFC Thomas L. Bell, SP4 Kenneth G. Blanton, SP4 James D. Brewer, SGT Joseph J. Di Landro, SSG Jack Eaton, PFC Brian F. Gibbons, PFC Charles R. Goodwin, SP4 Willie Grant Jr., PFC Charles R. Greer, PFC Everette E. Harding, PFC John O. Harris, SP4 James R. Hintz, SP4 Virgil M. Ledford, PFC William E. Mallory Jr., SP4 Edward J. Muller, SP4 Garland A. Newhouse, SP4 Thomas D. Peterkin, CPL John F. Pezzulo, SP4 Lawrence E. Pollock, SP4 David C. Rogers, CPL Jesse B. Rose, SP4 Thomas M. Seklecki, SP4 Robert J. Smith, SP4 Thomas R. Talmadge, SP4 Algernon P. Thomas, and SP4Larry L. Warnock. The action was given the name Battle of Soui Tre after the fact. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and army.mil/cmh]

Thank you for your service Virgil, I remember you often! we just read your name yesterday at Carthage on the Vietnam Memorial Wall

Dear Sp4 Virgil Ledford, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Your 53rd anniversary was 4 days ago, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Happy Spring! 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.

Thank you for your service.