THE WALL OF FACES

The military picture of Julian Luna came from the book MY GIFT TO YOU, which includes the stories and pictures of American soldiers who died in Vietnam while serving with the 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry (the Currahees), 101st Airborne Division. The pictures were allowed for use for the Faces Never Forgotten project by the author and fellow Currahee soldier Jerald "Jerry" Berry.

Dear SFC Julian Luna, 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, Sir

Curt Carter

I will forever be honor & proud to be your son.

Julian Luna was born June 23, 1934 and his home of record was Forreston, Texas.
When he died in Vietnam, he was 36 years old; much older than most who died there. He was a husband and father of seven children. His older children remember him well, his youngest has no actual memory of him. His wife was Viola May Martin Luna. His children are: Joannie, Jonathan, Janice, Joseph, Jefferson, Julia and Janise.

SFC Luna served with the 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry (Currahees), 101st Airborne Division. He was killed in action on July 9, 1970 with three other Currahees: Sgt. Larry Mark Horner, 19, of Wannutport, Pennsylvania; Sgt. James Luttgens, 21, of Keyport, New Jersey; and Spec 4 Gregory Alexis Dodge, Stockton, California.

From "The Stand Alone Battalion" by Jerald Berry and Joe Alexander: "On July 4, the Currahees commenced Operation HANCOCK GOLD in their customary surrondings of Binh Thuan Province. The first significant enemy contact during the operation occurred on July 9, when a slick from Troop C, 2nd Squadron (Airmobile), 17th Cavalry received enemy ground fire while inserting a ranger team and crashed on the landing zone. As the helicopter crew and the ranger team scrambled to secure the aircraft, they came under attack from an unknown-sized enemy force with small arms and mortar fire, resulting in the deaths of four Currahees (named above)."

Julian is buried in Italy Cemetery, Italy, Texas. God rest your soul, Currahee!

we may have never meant but i see you in your son jonathan micheal.he love you every much and miss you so. he is a father and grandfather.you would be very proud him.you show hom how to be a man.