THE WALL OF FACES

The following is an account of the “fragging” incident which took FSGT Johnny C. Martin’s life by a trooper who served with him: I was in F Troop at the time this happened, although all the flight crews were in the forward operating location on Tan My Island (5nm from Hue) and this incident happened back in Long Binh. Perpetrators Johnson and Dukes were both heroin addicts and were suffering the heat FSGT Johnny C. Martin was putting on them. Dukes hatched the plan of putting a claymore (anti-personnel mine) under Top's bunk and blowing him up. They got a mine from the armorer (who was also convicted along with them) and carried out their plan. It happened about 0600 hours when a group of F Troop personnel were returning from bunker guard. When the explosion happened, the guys simply followed the wires into Duke’s hootch and lined both of them up against a wall and were ready to kill them when the MPs got there. Sorry to say, Dukes got twenty years and Johnson got ten years. The armorer got two years. There were several others in their skag freak band who knew what was going on and they were sent up north with us. These scumbags were informed if they got out of line they would take a one-way ride out over the South China Sea. They were all strung out and didn't last more than a month before they were sent back to Long Binh to rehab. Johnny Martin was the first rep from the Troop who picked up those of us who were reassigned from the 101st. When he showed up at Cu Chi where the Troop used to be he had a case of beer with him and welcomed us properly. He was quite a character. One time he gave me the mission of "appropriating" a water trailer from the Infantry while we were working out of Phu Bai. When I showed up driving the troop HQ 3/4 ton with a water buffalo in tow, he had a paint team waiting to "make it ours". He was a big man with a big heart, and we all missed him. (From Lin Riniker, F Troop [Air], 4th Cavalry ‘71-‘72) [Taken from army.togetherweserved.com]

It's Memorial day Top! I can't say Happy because I'm writing to you on this. It was my pleasure to have known for the short time we were together. We served together in F Troop 4th Cavalry. I can honestly say you were the best Top I had during my service. I think of you often and will never forget you. I sure that you are helping Saint Michael command on of his legions of angels as that was the kind of man you were. It was truly my Honor. Thanks Top

Remembering always,

face with a name

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Frye – 1932

I served with "Top", in F Troop, 4th Cav, until a few weeks before his death. The last memory I have of him is him trading me a watch for my old refriderator a few days before I rotated home. I still have the watch to this day. He was a good soldier!