THE WALL OF FACES

PFC Walter Xabier Méndez is buried in the Cementerio Municipal de Carolina in Carolina, PR.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

PFC Walter X. Mendez was a vehicle repair parts supply person serving with the 148th Supply & Service Company, 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 26th General Support Group, Army Support Command Da Nang, 1st Logistical Command. At 9:37 AM on February 1, 1971, Mendez was in his quarters at Gia Le Base Camp in Thua Thien Province, RVN, talking with another enlisted man. Reportedly, the roommate left to use the latrine, and upon returning, found Mendez lying on the floor with a gunshot wound to the chest. An M16 rifle was alongside him. The weapon was the roommate’s assigned rifle. Mendez’ body was transported to the 85th Evacuation Hospital at Phu Bai where an autopsy found he had died instantly. He was 19 years old. His remains were transferred to the U.S. Army Mortuary in Da Nang and turned over to Graves Registration personnel. After processing, they were forwarded to Tan Son Nhut Air Base near Saigon where transportation was organized for their return to his family in Puerto Rico. An investigation into the incident was launched which found Mendez’ death to be intentionally self-inflicted; however, in an improbable ruling, a later casualty report declared the loss to be accidental. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Image courtesy of Redbird Research LLC, Saint Charles, MO.

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers