THE WALL OF FACES

Every time I see a Vietnam vet I think of you my dear cousin. I've had wonderful conversations with all the Vietnam vets I've encountered. I make an effort to shake their hand and tell them about you. I let them know that I'm glad they are alive. I respect them so much for all they went through, even in the coming home. You are my hero.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. You died at 18 years of age. I am 74 and have lived a long and fulfilling life. It is tragic you never had that same opportunity. May you rest in eternal peace.

Never forgotten.

Be down to visit you and the rest of your fallen soldiers.

HOOAH

Operation Bolling was a search and destroy and security operation conducted by the U.S. 503rd Infantry Regiment in Phu Yen Province, RVN, from September 19, 1967 to January 31, 1969. The objective of Bolling was to locate and destroy the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) 95th Regiment, which was believed to be in a base area known as “The Hub” in the foothills northwest of Tuy Hoa. The operation began uneventfully; however, in late December an Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) unit had been ambushed in the Ky Lo Valley, twenty-seven miles northwest of Tuy Hoa. A scout platoon from 3rd Battalion, 503rd Infantry was inserted there on December 27th. The platoon came under heavy fire after landing, and the remainder of the battalion was deployed in the area to engage the NVA force. Company A landed at noon near the hamlet of Xom Dap, one mile south of the initial contact area in a 200-yard by 50-yard landing zone surrounded by hedges and trees. NVA forces in bunkers around the landing zone immediately opened fire on the company, killing and wounding numerous Americans and destroying one helicopter. Company A fought back, calling in air and artillery support. They formed a perimeter, cleared the surrounding wood lines of snipers, and gradually began to destroy the NVA bunkers on the east side of the landing zone during intense fighting. At approximately 3:30 PM, the NVA (estimated to be company-sized) broke contact when a reaction force from 4/503rd Infantry was landed nearby. Sixty-two NVA were killed for a loss of fourteen Americans dead. They included (A Co, 3/503rd): SSG Clarence M. Adams (died of wounds 12/30/1967), PFC John R. Arrington, SP4 Richard N. Eddy, PVT Michael D. Fuller (posthumously promoted to Private), SP4 Bruce Hall, SGT Darrel W. Heeren (died of wounds 01/07/1968 at the 91st Evacuation Hospital in Tuy Hoa), PFC Ted D. Holliman Jr. (posthumously promoted to Corporal), PFC Michael J. Minor (posthumously promoted to Corporal), and SGT Benny R. Owens; (C Co, 3/503rd): PFC Francis D. Greenwood, PFC Moses Hegler Jr., and PFC Dan T. Klindt; and (HHC, 3/503rd): medics PFC Irville J. Knox and PFC Gary R, Schwellenbach (posthumously promoted to Corporal). Thirty-four U.S. were wounded in the contact. Contact continued throughout the night as enemy units conducted hand grenade and harassing attacks against different company perimeters set in overnight positions. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and wikipedia.org]

CPL Michael James Minor attended Franklin Heights High School, where he was part of the Airborne Club. He was survived by his parents, and four siblings.

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Forever 18.

HOOAH