THE WALL OF FACES

He was one of my closest friends over there. We had talked about getting a few beers when we got back to base camp. I called him the Frenchman, he called me country. I may have to drive to Mass. to drink a beer with him at the resting place. RIO Blue Spader.

Dear Spe4 Emile Legere, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. 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.

Quan Loi Base Camp was a major 1st Infantry Division forward base in Binh Long Province, RVN, supporting operations in War Zones C & D and along Highway 13. At 1:20 AM on July 11, 1967, the base at Quan Loi was attacked by an unknown size Viet Cong force. The battle began when a perimeter Quad .50 opened fire on enemy movement detected in front of its position. The VC then commenced their attack by placing 60mm, 82mm, and 4.2-inch mortar on the base area complex. Air support was immediately requested for the besieged base. At 2:01 AM, VC were reported inside the perimeter throwing grenades and satchel charges at the armored personnel carriers and gun positions. Five minutes later, a tank and APC were hit by rocket-propelled grenades, the APC bursting into flames, its crew suffering 100% casualties. The VC penetration continued deep inside the artillery lines, evident the following morning when unexploded satchel charges were discovered strewn about the gun positions. In addition to the attack on Quan Loi, an adjacent Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) base also came under attack by a large VC force. Illumination and artillery rounds were fired from Quan Loi in support of the beleaguered ARVN unit. As the attack at Quan Loi slackened around 3:00 AM, the attack on the ARVN compound intensified. A ground assault was beaten off by the ARVN, and by 6:10 AM the attacking force broke contact and withdrew to the northwest as U.S. artillery placed fire on suspected VC withdrawal routes. During the attack, SGT Jewell F. Dodge, a military policeman assigned to the C Company Detachment at Quan Loi, scrambled to his assigned bunker and gave his M16 rifle to a young soldier who in the confusion arrived at the bunker unarmed. SGT Dodge then exposed himself to the incoming mortar rounds to return to his tent to obtain another rifle. He was struck by fragments from an exploding mortar round and lay exposed and severely wounded. He was located in the morning and died in the arms of one of his comrades. Five other Americans were killed in the raid. They included SP4 Charles N. Brown, PSG Daniel F. DeButts, PFC William J. Igoe, PFC Lewis F. Jenkins, and SP4 Emile J. Legere. Another 27 U.S. were wounded. One APC was destroyed, and two other APC’s, a tank, and a truck were damaged. Seven of the VC attackers were killed, and an assortment of enemy weaponry was captured. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Juan Maldonado at quanloi.org]

Dear SP4 Emile Joseph Legere, sir,

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for the ultimate sacrifice that you 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. And please know that men and women like you have stepped forward to defend our country yet again, showing the same love for country and their fellow Americans that you did- you would be proud.

With respect, and the best salute that a civilian can muster for you.

Curt Carter

We only got to hear the stories of you and your wonderful personality. Only the pictures of your infectious smile. We only wish you could be here with us. You are so missed and so loved, we can't wait to meet you some day in heaven! Love you !