THE WALL OF FACES

Never forgotten.

Semper Fi, Marine

Semper Fi, Marine

On the remembrance of your 73rd birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Semper Fi, Marine.

Dear Lcpl William Matthews, Thank you for your service as a Wireman. The 53rd anniversary of the start of your tour is in a week. 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.

I spoke with LCPL Matthews the day he was KIA. I was also a Wireman with HQ comm co., 3/26th Marines. I was assigned to the 81mm mortar platoon attached to India Co.on Hill 881 South outside Khe Sanh Combat Base. That day, April 15, 68 our platoon and the entire company were on standby to be choppered off the hill when I noticed Matthews at what was the upper LZ area, the original LZ used when we first arrived there in December 1967. We had all survived the period of Jan 20 to April 14, 1968 which was the date of the last battle there to secure Hill 881 North. On April 15, prior to being lifted off the hill I spotted Matthews standing near the upper LZ and approached him just to say hello. I hadn't seen him in some time and was surprised to see him. I likely had first met him while at Camp Evans months earlier. We talked, things were calm at that time but of course we kept on alert, all the same, we spoke casually and just caught up on things to that point in time. It was time for me to get back to my bunker which was only a very short distance away, maybe 50 feet at most. We said our goodbyes. My platoon was choppered down to Khe Sanh Combat Base an hour or so later. Sometime later, not certain when now that I was told of someone in our unit being KIA. I didn't know it was Matthews or at least I don't remember clearly if I did at that time. It's been 50 years and I don't remember it all, but it had to have been. I remember our conversation on Hill 881 South most clearly and have carried that memory my entire lifetime. I remember the conversation being lighthearted. I remember how cordial, positive and confident he seemed. Keep in mind we had all been through hell. I remember he being happy to see me that day and me feeling the same about seeing him. I hope the fact that in his last hours he was happy and in a pleasant state of mind brings some peace to his loved ones. John A. Ortiz, wireman, HQ Comm Co., 3/26 Marines Hill 881 South/Khe Sanh Veteran, 67/68. of Wichita, KS, USA.