THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Thayer II (October 24, 1966 – February 11, 1967) was a follow on to Operation Thayer I and Operation Irving with the objective of eliminating North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong influence on the central coast of South Vietnam in Binh Dinh Province, RVN. The operations were carried out primarily by the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division. Republic of Korea and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces also took part in the operation. The 8th Engineer Battalion (1st Cavalry Division) supported combat operations including repair to National Route QL-1 which was damaged during torrential rains in November and December 1966. On November 30th, one its engineers was critically injured while burning brush after pouring gasoline on a fire caused the container to erupt in flames. PFC William R. Bennett (B Co, 8th Eng Bn) was transported to the 67th Evacuation Hospital at Qui Nhon where he was admitted with 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 90% of his body. Bennett died the following day during an aeromedical evacuation flight in a U.S. Air Force C-141A Starlifter to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam with a final destination to the burn unit at Brooke General Hospital at Fort Sam Houston, TX. Bennett succumbed at 5:00 PM local time. His remains were transferred to the U.S. Naval Hospital in Guam before being returned to the United States. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

During this Christmas season, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your sister Kathy is especially touching. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

Dear Billy, I wrote an article which made it on the front page of the Courier today 3/28 remembering all 20 Yavapai County fallen soldiers for National Vietnam War Veteran Day which is on 3/29 (no paper on Mondays in Prescott). To be able to include
the photos of all 20 made this article pretty special. I hope I have your brother
Johnny's address in Oregon. Thinking of you each and every day. Elizabeth

I miss you every day! I wish you could of seen my kiddos grow up. You would of been the best uncle. Rest in peace. You are reunited with mom, dad and our sister. Love ❤️ you always.