THE WALL OF FACES

Constructionman Edgar Peter Beck Jr., Served with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 (NMCB-74), 3rd Naval Construction Brigade, United States Naval Forces Vietnam (USNAVFORV).

CE Harold E. Asher, EOCN Edgar P. Beck Jr., BU2 Jerry B. Edmonds Jr., CN John F. Neubauer, and CN Wayne S. Rushton were Seabees serving with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Seventy-Four (NMCB-74), 3rd Naval Construction Brigade, U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam. On December 31, 1970, CN Neubauer was ordered to operate a Navy skimmer (Boston Whaler) to Bien Truy from their base at Cho Moi with four other men. They included EOCN Beck, who was the assistant operator, BU2 Edmonds and CN Rushton, who were headed for R&R (rest and recuperation), and CE Asher, who was being transported for minor medical treatment. Before departing, raised voices from the dock could be heard in the mess hall. The commotion concerned Neubauer’s apprehension regarding operating the skimmer. He had only taken the trip once or twice before and wasn't really sure of the way. Neubauer stormed off the dock and entered the mess hall where his friends noted he was visibly shaken. He later returned to the dock where more raised voices were heard. A heated argument was taking place. Neubauer repeatedly told the commanding officer (CO), a Lieutenant Junior Grade, he was not sure of the route. He continued protesting the order. The CO told him to leave or face disciplinary charges. A short while later, the Whaler left. The Mekong Delta is a vast expanse of water channels and hundreds of canals. There were no GPS guidance systems at this time. An operator learned the route by landmarks and by doing it time and time again. These trips had been exercised weekly, however, the regular operator who was extremely familiar with the route was on R&R, so the responsibility fell to Neubauer. A few hours later, the headquarters at Cho Moi received a radio transmission that the Whaler had not arrived at the expected time. A couple of helicopters were dispatched from Bien Truy to look for the Whaler. They found it in a dead-end canal. All five men were dead. They had apparently gotten lost and were ambushed by the Viet Cong. It was later reported that Vietnamese personnel had sighted the Whaler and that ARVN units saw the Seabees in a firefight in the same area. A Vietnamese eyewitness account indicated two Viet Cong sampans engaged the Whaler, which was later found abandoned, with grenade and AK-47 fire on the Kinh Thot Not Canal. The Boston Whaler, basically a fishing boat, contained no armor or heavy weapons. An investigation disclosed that the Americans were armed only with three M16 rifles and one .45 pistol. It was the most devastating loss of Seabee lives at one time since World War II. When word spread on the base of the deaths, those who witnessed the order to leave and the subsequent argument came forward demanding answers. The CO locked himself down in the command post with the executive officer. Around 8 PM that evening, a helicopter gunship landed on the compound. They escorted the CO off the compound and into the helicopter. The chopper took off and the CO was never seen again. He was replaced the next day by a new CO, who was later charged with narcotic allegations and relieved of his commission. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, Naval Forces History for December 1970, and information provided by Jim Paliani]

DEAR CONSTRUCTIONMAN BECK.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN ECCN - EQUIPMENT OPERATION CONSTRUCTIONMAN. YOU WERE KILLED ON NEW YEAR'S EVE. SIGH. .IT IS THE EPIPHANY. 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 CN Edgar Peter Beck Jr, 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

"The American Flag does not fly because the wind moves past it. The American Flag flies from the last breath of each Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine who has died protecting it."
Your service and sacrifice is are not forgotten. May you rest in peace.