THE WALL OF FACES

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

SP4 Benjamin Maldonado Aguilar's tour of duty began on June 15, 1968. He was assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. SP4 Maldonado Aguilar died from injuries received while on combat operations when engaged in a firefight. He was evacuated to Japan and then transferred to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, DC. His name is engraved on Panel 33W, Line 065 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor Benjamin.

We were on a dry stream bed, when we detected NVA dug in on the right. One platoon tried to flank the machine gun position while the rest of us laid down suppressing fire. Two GIs were shot trying to flank them. One was Benny. We pulled off the dry stream and blew a hasty chopper pad for the medivac. The WIA were air lifted out. I don't have any pictures of Benny - I had only been in-country for less than a month at the time.

Dear Major Benjamin Maldonado-Aguilar, I hope your photo is put here because this is wall of faces and yours should be here. Thank you for your service as an Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. The 52nd anniversary of the start of your tour is soon, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Time passes quickly, but it is an unusual time. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.