THE WALL OF FACES

Private First Class Cluster Lee Bearfield, Served with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

On January 14, 1969, A Company, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 22nd Infantry, was conducting a reconnaissance in force along Route 239 between the hamlet of Ben Cui and Check Point 36. Intelligence reports indicated that a North Vietnamese Force of regimental size was known to be trying to disrupt resupply routes between Dau Tieng and Cu Chi. Alpha Company placed Third Platoon on the north side of the road, and First Platoon on the south side. Second Platoon was securing a Rome plow which was cutting a new laager site about two kilometers away. First and Third Platoons were to go on line and sweep through the enemy positions on the south side of the ambush site. Second Platoon was to return the Rome plow to the previous night's laager position and then proceed to the vicinity of the ambush to act as the Company ready-reserve. At this time, the Company Commander elected to pull back the entire Company and bring in artillery, airstrikes, and gunships. After approximately 45 minutes of this, the Company again attempted to sweep the north side of the road. Again, they were unsuccessful and pulled back for further artillery and airstrikes. During the entire time, the Company was concentrating on the north side of the road, artillery and gunships were prepping the south side of the road. Due to the fact that it was already twilight, the Company was ordered back to its night laager position. There was no time to make a detailed search of the ambush site until the following day. One American was killed in the operation, PFC Cluster L. Bearfield, and four others were wounded. Enemy losses were determined to be thirteen Viet Cong killed (by body count) and another 114 possibly killed (bodies removed from battlefield). [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and Small Unit After Action Report at vietnam.ttu.edu]

DEAR PFC BEARFIELD,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A GRUNT. IT IS STILL THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU. IT IS NEW YEAR, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.

Dear PFC Cluster Lee Bearfield, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice 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. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

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

Curt Carter