THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Ssgt Ernest Martie, Thank you for your service as an Infantry Dire Fire Crewman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Father’s Day just passed, and it’s summer. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Staff Sergeant Ernest Raymond Martie, Served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.

On September 25, 1966, during Operation Sunset Beach, Company A, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, departed Cu Chi Base Camp at 0742 hours to conduct search and destroy operations in Binh Duong Province, RVN. At 0842 hours, one M113A armored personnel carrier hit an anti-tank mine. The explosion ignited the fuel tank, causing a fire and secondary explosions, resulting in eight Bobcats burned to death. Three others were seriously injured, and the vehicle was completely destroyed. At 0955 hours, Graves Registration was requested to dispatch a team to remove the remains of those deceased Bobcats that were still inside the track. The lost troopers included PFC Gary A. Barnard, PFC Gary R. Dopp, SGT Roy D. Hutting, SSGT Ernest R. Martie, SP4 James E. Miller, SP4 Terry L. Pundsack, SP4 Robert M. Waters, and SGT Walter Williams. A ninth Bobcat, PFC George W. Alexander Jr., one of the three injured in this incident, succumbed to his injuries after being evacuated to the United States for treatment. He died on October 4, 1966, in Brooke General Hospital at Fort Sam Houston, TX. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and bobcat.ws]

Dear SSGT Ernest Raymond Martie, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Rest in peace with the warriors.