THE WALL OF FACES

Remains Identified 13 OCT 2010.
Family notified 17 JAN 2011.
Family briefed 08 FEB 2011.
Memorial Service will be 14 MAY 2011.

Status at DPMO PMSEA website.

http:www.dtic.mildpmovietnamreportsdocumentspmsea_info_m080.htm

James "Les" Moreland was born and raised in the Birmingham, Alabama area. He moved to California for his senior year of high school at Western High School, Anaheim, California. At western he was a starting linebacker for the varsity team. He was named "All Orange County Linebacker" for 1963. He attended two years of junior college at Fullerton Junior College. He enlisted in the army Oct. 1, 1965. He spent nearly 2 years training as a Special Forces, Combat Medic. He started his tour in Vietnam on July 4, 1967. On Feb. 7, 1968 he was one of 24 Special Forces soldiers at the Base Camp at Lang Vei. In the early morning hours of Feb. 7, the NVA overan the camp with overwhelming numbers and armor. Les was critically wounded. In the late afternoon, under cover of heavy air support the camp was evacuated. Les had to be left in the command bunker due to the tactical situation. It is presumed that he died in the bunker. 8 of the 24 Soldiers, including Les, were carried as MIA until the end of the war. 3 returned after the "homecoming." During his MIA status, Les Moreland was promoted from SP4 to SP5. On Nov 5, 1978 SP5 Les Moreland was declared dead by the US Army and received postumous promotion to SFC.

You were among the brave who answered the call. You honored your country by your service and supreme sacrifice. Know that you are not forgotten. Your countrymen remember and honor you each and every time we stand and sing the words "...for the land of the free and the home of the brave".

Rest in Peace and God bless You

A Vietnam Veteran('67/'68)

p.s. I served in the Army near the DMZ when Lang Vei was overrun by NVA in early '68. In 2001 I returned to Vietnam and visited this area including the Lang Vei camp with my oldest son. The camp, which is just south of the old DMZ, is located very near to the Laotion border. The camp is now completely gone and overgrown with vegetation but marked with a solitary NVA tank that sits as a reminder of the battle that took place there in early '68. Some of the concret bunkers can still be found but most of the camp is gone. When I vistied Lang Vie I remembered what happened here and the men that were lost, including James Moreland.

Les, I did not know you but we are brothers. I will ride in Run For the Wall this year 2006, to honor you. You will not be forgotten. From Ontario Calif to Wash, DC your name will be on my windshield of my motorcycle. I will find your name at The Wall and say hello. I am riding this year because you cannot.

Senior Year photo, Western High, Anaheim California.