THE WALL OF FACES

There is a place
Not far from here
Where spirits walk
And heroes live
And honor still resides.

It is a wall
With names inscribed
Of those who served
When they were asked...
The brothers of my youth.

I go there still
To walk and think
About my life,
And what I've done since
And things that might have been.

There is a debt
I can't repay
Too many lives were spent.
And one man's life cannot suffice
To make their deaths worthwhile.

But there is hope
In the memory
Of those we leave behind
Who know the price that freedom brings
Who can carry on in kind.

I send you now
To touch a name
So the vision can be passed
Remember there is honor still
It is for you to see it lasts.

They are not dead
And have a wish
As all old soldiers do
The reflection you see before you now
Is their wish to live in you.

During the month of May 1967, the 11th Engineer Battalion provided support to the 3rd Marine Division in the I Corps Tactical Zone and other units located near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Quang Tri Province, RVN. On May 5th, the Battalion began Phase II of Operation "Fire Break," which consisted of clearing a circle with a radius of 500 meters around Con Thien and Gio Linh bases. Engineers from A Company trailered several dozers from Dong Ha Combat Base to Con Thien for the land clearing mission. At 8:10 PM on the 28th, a trio of combat engineers were sitting around a make-shift table made from a large discarded wooden spool for carrying cable that was under a tent from a parachute salvaged in a supply drop by cargo plane. The Marines had just finished cleaning their M14 rifles when the distinctive thump of a mortar sounded in the distance. Someone nearby yelled “outgoing”; however, one round, then another, began impacting in A Company’s compound. Two of the three engineers broke for a nearby protective bunker as the rounds marched toward them. One of them, LCPL Jay D. McLain, hesitated and was still in the open when two 82mm rounds landed outside the bunker’s opening. He was thrown by the blast, sustaining mortal fragmentation wounds to the back of his left arm and head. The two Marines in the bunker also sustained injuries. A corpsman swept the area and somehow missed McLain; he was located by one of the other Marines after he came to from a mild concussion suffered in the explosions. McLain died shortly after. Approximately fifty 82mm rounds fell on Con Thien fired from an estimated four different tubes. The Marines returned mortar and artillery fire on the suspected enemy firing positions with unreported results. A Marine UH-34D medivac helicopter sent to evacuate the casualties crashed after departing the 2/12 Marine location. No injuries were reported in the mishap. The aircraft sustained damage to its main rotor and was rendered unflyable. The crew and casualties were put aboard a chase aircraft and flown to the Navy hospital ship USS Repose (AH-16). The damaged helicopter was retrieved the following day. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Command Chronology for period 1 May 1967 to 31 May 1967 (11th Engineer Battalion)” at ttu.edu; also, information provided by Beryl “Gene” Riley Jr. (February 2023)]

Today, May 28th, 2021, I remember you as we served together in A Co. 11th Engineer Battalion.
You are never Forgotten!

Dear Lcpl Jay McLain, Thank you for your service as am Engineer Equipment Opertor. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. 75 years ago today, the Treaty was signed that ended WWII. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Semper Fidelis, Marine.