THE WALL OF FACES

GMG1 Herbert E. Belcher was a Gunners Mate 1st Class serving with River Division 532, Task Force 116, U.S. Naval Forces Vietnam. On March 31, 1969, Belcher was aboard a PBR (patrol boat) on the Vam Co River near Tra Cu in Vinh Binh Province, RVN, in support of Operation Duffle Bag, the placement of electronic monitoring devices to collect intelligence on enemy movement of supplies and personnel. During the mission, Belcher’s patrol boat was attacked by a hostile force. The PBR was hit by B-40 rocket-propelled grenade and automatic weapons fire. Belcher was fatally wounded after sustaining shrapnel wounds. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and history.navy.mil]

Thank your your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your granddaughter Griffin is especially poignant. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

Petty Officer First Class Herbert Eugene Belcher, Served with River Division 532 (RIVDIV-532), Task Force 116 (TF-116), United States Naval Forces Vietnam (USNAVFORV).

DEAR PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS BELCHER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A GUNNER'S MATE (GUNS) 1ST CLASS. IT IS A NEW YEAR, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.

I think about you often and how things would have been different had you not paid the ultimate sacrifice. Sadly, I will never know. I can tell you that granny still misses you everyday. Also, daddy looks just like you. Ryan followed in your footsteps and joined the Navy, he and his wife are now veterans. You have forever impacted our lives and the lives of all Americans. You have made us all proud. I may never have memories of you to look back on, but I will always be proud to be your granddaughter.