THE WALL OF FACES

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotions and spends himself in a great worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end triumph of high achievement and, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while caring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold, timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt

Dear Cpl Ralph Mayers, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Time passes quickly, but our world needs help. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

On March 9, 1969, a 20-man strong Recon Platoon from E Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, was conducting a sweep and clear mission in their area of responsibility near LZ Buff in Quang Ngai Province, RVN. As they were preparing to search a village, they spotted some Viet Cong and started chasing them. While pursuing the enemy, they were ambushed crossing a rice paddy. The pinned-downed patrol returned fire but reportedly suffered weapon malfunctions with their M16 rifles and several were unable to defend themselves. Many were forced to play dead to survive. Four members of the patrol were killed. They included PFC Arthur D. Lindsey, CPL Ralph E. Mayers III, SGT Robin B. Miller, and SP4 John J. Petrie. Two others were wounded. Lindsey’s remains were found the following day by a reaction force from A Company, 4/3, sent to assist Recon Platoon. It was surmised that Lindsey had been wounded and captured alive but was later executed by the enemy. Another of the wounded, PFC Coy R. Tinsley, had been shot in the shoulder and was also captured by the enemy. It was speculated that Tinsley’s life was spared because he was armed with a holstered .45 pistol and the enemy believed him to be an officer. Carried as Missing in Action, Tinsley was held until October 24, 1969, when he and two other American Prisoners of War were released, returning to U.S. control on November 9, 1969. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Tom Bedient and Russ Blais (July 2019)]

Dear CPL Ralph Emerson Mayers III, 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.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

Ralph is buried at St Francis Cemetery, Mt Kisco,NY. BSM PH