THE WALL OF FACES

The day that is stamped in my brain. You were the first of my buddies to fall. We had served together for a long time and the devastating shock of that day is still with me today. You will always be my hero and buddy Sleep well Marine.

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

Dear PFC Carl Mann, Thank you for your service as a Wireman. 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.

PFC Carl W. “Billy” Mann was a Wireman, a field communications specialist serving with Communication Platoon, Headquarters & Service Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 3rd Marine Division. At 6:45 PM on September 21, 1965, C Company reported that PFC Mann was missing in action. Patrols were sent to the area where he was last seen, southeast of the Tuy Loan Bridge in Quang Nam Province, RVN. He was not found. The following day, a patrol from C Company searching the west bank of the Song Yen River spotted a body in the water. Further investigation indicated that it was the body of Mann. A member of the platoon retrieved the body from the water which was clothed with boots, trousers, and a utility shirt on one arm. The feet were bound with heavy twine and drawn up behind the back, and the right arm was bound to the body. Six bullet holes were visible and there were obvious indications of torture. The remains were evacuated where doctors estimated that it had been in the water twenty-four hours. An investigation was conducted, and it was reported that Mann had disobeyed a directive from the C Company Commander and existing Battalion directives by going out alone to repair the wire communication line. An intelligence report was later received from native informers that Mann saw four or five Viet Cong approaching his location and fired on them, killing one Viet Cong and wounded another before being wounded himself and taken prisoner. A separate version of this incident conveys a very distinct account of what occurred. According a Marine who served with him, Mann was ordered in the field by a lieutenant to troubleshoot a sound-powered telephone wire between platoon positions which had been tampered with by the enemy. Mann reportedly requested a fire team to accompany him for the task, but the lieutenant refused, allegedly stating that he (Mann) “would not be out of sight, and if something happened, they could get to him quick enough.” Mann went out alone under protest and paid with his life for not disobeying. Furthermore, what was not reported was Mann heroically defended himself. After expending the single cartridge (20 rounds) he had, he used his empty M14 as a club which was later found splintered and broken during his mortal struggle with the Viet Cong. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org; Command Chronology, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, September 1965, and information provided by Jim Fronkier (May 2020)]

Without you, our country would not be the same. Your help to our country as a private cannot be described in words. Semper Fi.
Thanks, Hayden R. Mann