THE WALL OF FACES

PH or Purple Heart doesn't seem to be etched on Duane Marhefka's grave marker.

Operation Geneva Park was a security operation in Quang Ngai Province, RVN, during March 18, 1969 to February 28, 1971. The operation was conducted by the 198th Light Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division (Americal) in cooperation and coordination with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 6th Regiment, 2nd Division to secure major lines of communications and the destruction of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Viet Cong (VC) units threatening Quang Ngai city and Chu Lai Base Camp. In late 1969, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry searched for elements of the 78th Rocket Battalion in the “Rocket Pocket,” an area commonly used by the enemy for standoff attacks against Allied installations near Chu Lai. Saturation patrolling, extensive night ambushes, preplanned air strikes, scheduled artillery fires, and sensor devices severely inhibited enemy attempts to shell the Chu Lai base complex. In late 1969/early 1970, there was only one indirect fire attack launched against the Chu Lai Base Camp. Eight 122mm rockets were fired on January 25, 1970, causing only minor damage and one casualty. C Company,1-6th Infantry, having observed the enemy launch site, deployed Second Platoon on a combat assault into the area where they engaged several VC. Tall grass obscured the enemy, and as the two groups made contact, the VC opened fire from foxholes with small arms. The burst of gunfire killed instantly medic SP4 Barry V. Hopper and infantryman SGT Duane J. Marhefka. Marhefka had been in Vietnam only twenty days and reportedly was on his first combat mission. His brief fighting experience posthumously earned him a Combat Infantry Badge. Enemy losses were three killed with three weapons captured. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, “Operational Report—Lessons Learned, Americal Division, Period Ending 31 January 1970” at archive.org; also, information provided by Joe Murphee (July 2001) at thewall-usa.com]

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

On the remembrance of your 74th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Dear Sgt Duane Marchefka, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. 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.