THE WALL OF FACES

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

Dear Cpl Willie McClain, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Time passes quickly, but our world needs help. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

May God keep you in his loving arms!
Rest In Peace !

On May 20, 1968, 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, was a couple weeks into a sweep and clear mission in Quang Ngai Province, RVN. Operating understrength at about twenty-eight troopers instead of the forty or so that made up a full platoon, their daily routine consisted of patrols in and around the kaleidoscope hamlets and villes in their area of operations. Early into their day’s planned quick, two-hour sweep, a huge explosion occurred when a 500lb. bomb exploded. It was unclear whether it had been command-detonated or booby-trapped, but the results were devastating. Eight members of 3rd Platoon lay dead or mortally wounded and another sixteen were injured, ten of which required immediate medical evacuation. Helicopters arrived and carried the wounded to the 27th Surgical Hospital and 2nd Surgical Hospital at Chu Lai Air Base. One of 3rd Platoon’s squad leaders was spared when he was sent to Chu Lai for medical reasons the day before. He was tasked with the grisly chore of identifying the dead at the Graves Registration section at 2nd Surgical Hospital, many of who were his friends. The lost personnel included SSG Joseph R. Daigneault, CPL Newton M. Gray Jr., SGT Robert J. Hartley, SGT Richard H. Junk, SGT John D. Larry, CPL Willie J. McClain Jr., SGT Michael J. Swieczkowski, and SGT Richard A. Western. CPL Dennis W. Lane, who survived the medivac, expired the following day. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, americal4ofthe3.com, and information provided by Ron Krul (July 2019)]

Dear CPL Willie James McClain Jr, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter