THE WALL OF FACES

On September 25, 1965, the Second Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, was operating in the Binh Thy-Giao Tri area in Quang Nam Province, RVN, conducting a search and clear mission. During the operation, they discovered approximately 600 lbs. of rice. A fire team and the Platoon Sergeant were left as security with the rice until Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces arrived to take custody of it. Meanwhile, the remainder of the platoon continued its mission. At 5:05 PM, Second Platoon was hit by an electrically detonated mine of the directional Claymore-type in an area believed to have been mine-swept. Seven men were wounded; three later died of wounds. They included LCPL Walter J. Bienkowski, who died September 28, 1965, at the U.S. Army Hospital at Nha Trang from multiple fragmentation wounds to the chest and legs; also lost were SSGT William E. Hill and PFC Bernard P. Murray. As the mine exploded, an estimated Viet Cong (VC) platoon opened fire from a position north of an adjacent river. The remainder of the platoon deployed and returned fire against the VC. At the same time, the 2nd Platoon, Company M, 3/4 was alerted to be helicopter-lifted to the area from which the fire was being received. Artillery fire (188 rounds) was placed on the VC position and used to clear a landing zone. Upon completion of these fire missions, the 2nd Platoon of Company M was landed in a secured area and commenced a search and clear maneuver in the village of Giao Tri (2), three miles west of Tuy Loan Bridge. During the search of the village, four Marines became casualties with one killed, PVT Bennel Ellis, and three wounded by Marine UH-1E gunships providing close air support. The search and clear of the village continued during the hours of darkness until 11:00 PM by illumination from a flare ship. This enabled a limited search of the village to be completed. At first light, the village was reswept and thoroughly searched. There were no confirmed enemy casualties. Numerous caves and tunnels found in the village area were destroyed. A total of fifty-two villagers were detained and evacuated as VC suspects for screening. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Command Chronology (1st Bn 1st Marines), September 1965” at ttu.edu]

On the remembrance of your 74th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Forever 18.

Semper Fi, Marine

Dear PFC Bernard Murray, Thank you for your service as a Machine Gunner. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is the 9th Day of Christmas, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On the remembrance of your birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Forever 18.

Semper Fi, Marine.

On September 25, 1965, the 2nd Platoon (Rein), Company D, 1st Batallion, 1st Marines, was operating in the Binh Thy and Giao Tri areas in Quang Nam Province, RVN, conducting a sweep and clear mission. During the operation they discovered approximately 600 lbs. of rice. A fire team and the Platoon Sergeant were left as security with the rice until ARVN forces arrived to take custody of it. The remainder of the platoon continued its mission. At 5:05 PM, the 2nd Platoon (Rein) ran into an electrically detonated mine of the directional Claymore-type. Seven men were wounded by this explosion, three critically. The three severely wounded later died of their wounds. They were SSGT William E. Hill, LCPL Walter J. Bienkowski, and PFC Bernard P. Murray. LCPL Bienkowski, who survived evacuation, later died at the U.S. Army hospital in Nha Trang on September 28, 1965. After the mine exploded, an estimated Viet Cong platoon opened fire from a position north of a river. The remainder of the Marine platoon, under the command of the Right Guide, was deployed and returned fire against the Viet Cong. At the same time, the 2nd Platoon (Rein) Company was alerted to be helicopter-lifted to the area from which the fire was being received. Artillery was fired (188mm rounds) at the Viet Cong and to clear the LZ. Upon completion of these fire missions, the 2nd Platoon of Company M was landed in the secured area and commenced to search and clear the village of Giao Tri (2). During the search of the village, four Marines became casualties, one of whom died, PVT Bennel Ellis, and three others wounded. These casualties were inflicted by friendly UH-1E gunships while providing close air support. The search and clear of the village continued during the hours of darkness until 11:00 PM, by utilizing a flare plane. This enabled a limited search of the village to be completed. At first light, the village was re-swept and thoroughly searched. There were no confirmed enemy casualties. Numerous caves and tunnels were found in the village area and destroyed. A total of 52 villagers were apprehended and evacuated as Viet Cong suspects for screening. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and Command Chronology, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, September 1965]