THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from John Cunningham is touching and reflects his admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

In the early morning hours of October 28, 1966, the soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, were searching for the enemy north and west of the Se San River in Kontum Province, RVN, as part of Operation Paul Revere IV. Intelligence indicated that there had been a significant buildup of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) troops in the province. Company C, as part of a larger battalion effort, had been air assaulted into the area to locate and destroy the enemy forces. The company moved slowly through dense vegetation, the two forward platoons using machetes to clear routes through the jungle. A squad, sent ahead to reconnoiter, heard voices and saw two NVA soldiers. They returned and reported a possible enemy base camp ahead. On a nearby hilltop, the company came upon several huts. After searching the area, they soon entered a small village. It was apparent that an enemy force had abandoned the village just a short time before the company's arrival. As the company resumed movement down the ridge, it began to take fire. As the fire grew heavier, the company commander decided to establish a perimeter defense. By 10:00 PM, the position was completed, artillery registered, claymore mines emplaced, and a four-man listening post set up only 20 yards from the edge of the village. At about 2:50 AM the next morning, noise from the village alerted the company. The perimeter began to receive automatic weapons fire. As the listening post withdrew to the perimeter, three of the four personnel were wounded. Moments later, the enemy attacked. Heavy automatic weapons fire was concentrated on the company's machine guns as NVA soldiers advanced. The company commander ordered the claymore mines fired. This action, together with the heavy volume of fire from the perimeter, stopped the enemy assault. Artillery focused their fires on the enemy's routes of movement, and after 20 minutes of intense fighting, enemy fire diminished, and by 4:45 AM, all contact had been broken. At daylight, the company commander took stock of his situation. Two men, PFC Phillip R. Coleman and SP4 William G. Mansfield, had been killed. Another ten had been wounded. A search of the surrounding area revealed six NVA bodies but no other signs of the enemy. [Taken from the virtualwall.org and “Blind Man's Bluff: A Look at the Tactical Reconnaissance Capabilities of the U.S. Army's Light Infantry Division” by MAJ Albert Bryant Jr.]

Dear Sp4 William Mansfield, Thank you for your service as an Indirect Fire Infantryman. 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.

Over the years I have continually thought of you and your family. I hope that your sisters are well and happy. I miss you all.
Rich

I will always remember the day I found out about your death. I was assigned a Naval unit servicing in Vietnam, at the time. Your death really made the war at that point of my life so real and personal. I remember reading the daily casualty report and seeing your name, I felt such a lost. We had gone to Massapequa High School together, and I will always remember what a great guy you were. Alway looking for fun when we would hang out at All-American, or crash some party we would never be invited to. Although I do not live in Massapequa any longer, I always felt a special feeling when ever I went into the park named for you.
May God bless, Willie and be with you always.