THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. While all deaths in Vietnam are tragic that you died just two days before your 27th birthday is especially so. May you rest in eternal peace.

As the remembrance of your 82nd birthday approaches, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

At the conclusion of the Tet Offensive, the 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division, was directed to return to its home at Bearcat Base from Blackhorse Base where it had taken up residence during the fighting. The 5th had seen heavy combat during Tet, and both its A and C Troops would receive Valorous Unit Awards for their respective actions at the Bien Hoa Airbase and Xuan Loc. The morning of February 15, 1968, was cool and clear when the relieving 1st Squadron, 11th Cavalry returned to Blackhorse. Once the last 1st Squadron tracked vehicle was inside the base camp, the command was given for the 5th Cavalry to move out. During the road march back to Bearcat, they were joined by C Troop’s 3rd Platoon at Tan Phong as the convoy transitioned onto National Highway QL-1. But back in Bien Hoa Province, the journey, which up to that point had been uneventful, was marred when C Troop’s 1st Platoon’s Infantry Section’s M113 armored personnel carrier veered off the side of the highway and turned over, killing track commander SGT Clayton Liggins and driver PVT Garry R. Powell. One other crewman was injured. The accident reportedly occurred after the brakes unintentionally locked up. Once the track was righted and the medical dustoff (evacuation) completed, the vehicle was able to continue onto Bearcat under its own power. Liggins was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant, and Powell was promoted to Private First Class. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Third Squadron, Fifth Cavalry in Vietnam” at 3-5cav-blackknights.org]

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers