THE WALL OF FACES

Jim...Every once in awhile I think of you and on this day I'm wishing you were here to celebrate life and not death so many, many years ago. Vietnam took away so many great young men and I'm so sorry you are one of those.

Here to confirm what Candy said. Jim was one of the nicest people I ever met. It still hurts to think of his sweet, gentle spirit in a war.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Candy Schoenfeldt Todd is moving and reflects her admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

On June 5, 1969, a 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division task force consisting of Companies B and C, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry, and Companies A and C, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, elements of the 3/49 Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) Regiment, and Company A, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor clashed sharply with the 268th Viet Cong/North Vietnamese Army Regiment three miles northwest of Trang Bang in Hau Nghia Province, RVN. At 12:48 PM, the allied forces engaged a large concentration of entrenched enemy soldiers. Artillery and helicopter gunships were brought to bear on the enemy positions. In the exchange of fire, six Americans were killed, thirteen wounded, and three armored personnel carriers destroyed. The lost personnel included (from A/1/5) PFC Robert E. Langston (posthumously awarded Bronze Star medal), PFC Patrick E. Poppenga, and 2LT James D. Walker (posthumously awarded Silver Star medal); (from C/1/5) SP4 David P. Callahan (posthumously awarded Silver Star medal) and PFC James A. Mardis Jr.; and (from HHC/1/5) SP4 Charles M. Ramsey. Langston and Poppenga were posthumously promoted to Corporal, and Ramsey was posthumously promoted to Sergeant. A helicopter gunship from the 116th Assault Helicopter Company, call sign Stinger 552, a UH-1C (#66-00552), was shot down, crashing in the middle of the enemy position. Three crewmen survived the initial crash but were killed on the ground. The lost crew included pilots WO1 Richard J. Holman and 1LT Jimmy W. Crisp, crew chief SP4 Ronald R. Baker, and gunner SP4 Steven W. Herring. [Taken from virtualwall.org and 12thinfantry2ndbattalion.com]

Dear SFC James Mardis, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman, Your 51st anniversary just passed, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Yesterday was Flag Day. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.