THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Mameluke Thrust (May 19 - October 23, 1968) was a 1st Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force search and destroy mission into Happy Valley southwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The objective of Mameluke Thrust was spoiling attacks against North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong base areas to preempt any planned offensive against Allied complexes in the Da Nang area. At 8:30 PM on September 11, 1968, a platoon from Company D, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines was in an overnight ambush position seven kilometers northwest of An Hoa Air Field when it began receiving 82mm mortar fire. A total of twenty rounds were fired at the Marines’ position in addition to two rocket-propelled grenades and an estimated 1000 rounds of small arms fire. The Marines returned fire with unit weapons and were supported by artillery, helicopter gunships, and a U.S. Air Force AC-47 “Spooky” fixed-wing gunship. A four-wave assault by an estimated 200 North Vietnamese Army soldiers was beaten back by the supporting arms. Enemy losses were put at 54 dead with one AK-47 rifle captured. Marine losses were two killed, thirteen wounded requiring evacuation, and seven others with minor injuries. The lost personnel included riflemen LCPL Creed L. Bryant and PFC Harold J. Mathews Jr. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “1st Marine Division (Rein) Command Chronology for September 1968” at ttu.edu]

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

Morris County has several streets either renamed in honor of fallen veterans or a sign blade added.

Dear PFC Harold Mathews, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Independence Day just passed. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear PFC Harold Joseph Mathews Jr, 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