THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Sp4 Lee McElhaney, Thank you for your service as a Field Artillery Basic. 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.

CPL William F. LeMoine, SP4 Lee R. McElhaney, and PFC Carlton Ross were artillerymen serving with A Battery, 3rd Battalion, 34th Artillery, 9th Infantry Division, part of the Mobile Riverine Force, a joint U.S. Army and U.S. Navy force in Vietnam's southern Mekong Delta. At 1:40 AM on September 26, 1968, the artillery barge they were on at FSPB David in Kien Hoa Province, RVN, was hit by a water mine. LeMoine, McElhaney, and Ross were killed in the attack, and another eight were wounded. The explosion blew an 8 by 10 foot hole through the deck of the personnel department on the barge, demonstrating the lethality of Viet Cong sapper/swimmers. Ross was posthumously promoted to corporal. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and rivervet.com]

Semper Fi, Bro.

Dear SP4 Lee Roy McElhaney, 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

Thank you Spec. 4 McElhaney for your leadership and courage.