THE WALL OF FACES

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.

During July 13-15, 1966, M Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, established a combat base on Tien Dao (Hill 10), one mile west of Binh Son in Quang Ngai Province, RVN. While M Company was digging into the position, Companies L and I, 3/7, conducted search and destroy operations through the nearby Phuoc Thuan and Tan Phuoc hamlet complexes in order to relieve the pressure of Viet Cong (VC) activity while the combat base was created. At 2:00 AM on July 15th, Company M’s position came under a heavy attack from a VC force estimated at battalion strength. The attack commenced with heavy 60mm mortar fire which landed on the Company’s position, then adjusted to hit the 1st Platoon Command Post (CP). Intense small arms fire followed, with continued mortar fire. The 1st Platoon took a direct hit, wiping out the CP. The VC then assaulted the CP, and hand-to-hand combat followed. Ten VC were able to penetrate the perimeter as the enemy mortar fire repeatedly shifted across the Marine’s position. A VC probe began on the western perimeter, but this was considered a diversionary action for a main attack that occurred on the southeast perimeter. An estimated seventy-five VC took part in the attack, firing at least two .30 caliber machine guns, two Browning Automatic Rifles, and 57mm recoilless rifle rounds directed at an M50 Ontos tracked anti-tank vehicle armed with M40 106mm recoilless rifles. The Marines on Tien Dao called for artillery support and directed it against all avenues of enemy attack. The artillery coverage was effective; however, the defenders were unable to pinpoint the location of the enemy mortar teams. The defenders fought the attackers with unit weapons, laying down heavy small arms, machine gun, and 106mm recoilless rifle fire on the VC positions, eventually pushing the enemy out and reestablishing the friendly perimeter. Artillery batteries continued to provide support, and enemy fire ceased when medical evacuation helicopters arrived at 4:00 AM. Company M sustained seven killed; nineteen others were wounded. The lost personnel included LCPL Anthony G. Calverley, LCPL Robert J. Croce, LCPL Richard W. Demers, PFC Thomas A. McConahy, SSGT Samuel L. Reed, LCPL Stephen S. Strycharz Jr., and PFC Isaiah H. Wilson. There were twenty-seven VC killed, their weapons found scattered throughout the battle area. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Command Chronology (3d Bn 7th Marines), July 1966” at ttu.edu]

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

Forever 18.

Semper Fi, Marine.

Dear PFC Thomas McConahy, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. I researched you on your 54th anniversary, sad. 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.

He loved us so.
Every day, in a hundred ways, he told us so.
In honesty, in affection, he told us so.
He loved us so.
Every day, in a hundred ways, he showed us so.
With loyalty and bravery, he showed us so.
He was our defender, and he kept us free!
He took an oath to guard us, and fought for liberty!
He loved us so, and we should know.
For we loved him so.
PFC McConahy, you were the very essence of DUTY!...HONOR!...and COUNTRY! You had been there and done that in Vietnam! You were one brave man who did brave deeds for our America! You fought for the right without question or pause! Your name and fame are the BIRTHRIGHT of EVERY American citizen! In your youth and strength...your love and loyalty...you had given all that mortality can give to defend liberty everywhere! Martinsburg is very proud of you! You sacrificed your life so that freedom and justice may live! You had li9ved up to the motto of the Corps!---SEMPER FIDELIS!---and to the code of conduct and chivalry of those who guard this beloved land!...an ideal SO NOBLE that it arouses in all of us a sense of pride, and yet, of humility! I strongly and honestly believe that Avonmore's own Jill Corey, whom I greatly and immensely admire as one of my three top favorite songbirds of all time, the other two being Walton-on-Thames's own Julie Andrews, England's musical queen, and London's own Dusty Springfield, another thrush from England, would be very proud of your service to America, and the sacrifices you made to keep us and our country free! Well done, Marine! Be thou at peace. SEMPER FI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!