THE WALL OF FACES

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor Michael.

On November 22, 1965, a platoon of LVTP-5 amphibious tractors from B Company, 1st Amtrac Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, was operating in the coastal waters off Quang Nam Province, RVN. The platoon split into two sections and headed in different directions, each with predetermined drop-off points where they were to sweep local villages for enemy presence. The conditions in the water were very windy, and the vehicles battled a strong current as they traversed the mouth of the Ca De River. One of the tractors, B-3-1, lost power when its engine was swamped by water. Unable to restart the motor, another track maneuvered over and hooked a tow cable to assist the crippled 40-ton tractor. The line then broke, and B-3-1 sank. Nine Marines were drowned in the incident. The lost Marines included PFC Barry F. Andersen, PFC Michael A. Beringer, LCPL Richard R. Bigley, PFC John D. Campbell, PFC Darell G. Freeman, CPL Billy W. Hedge, CPL Vilis Lisments, SSGT Moses C. Tabor, and LCPL Richard G. Wick. Navy divers recovered the remains of Andersen, Bigley, Freeman, Hedge, Lisment, and Wick on December 16, 1965. Tabor’s remains were recovered December 21st. B-3-1 was pulled from the water several weeks later. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Charles Caldwell (January 2018)]

DEAR PFC BERINGER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN ARTILLERY FORWARD OBSERVER. ARTILLERYMEN WILL ALWAYS BE SPECIAL TO ME. SEMPER FI. IT IS 2017, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. IT IS ALSO PRESIDENTS' DAY WEEKEND. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.

Happy Birthday Michael, You and I went through Marine boot camp together from July 1st to Sept.23rd 1964.We ended up at 11th Marines at Camp Pendleton. You wet to "A" Battery, I to "B" Battery. On Aug.9th the 11th Marines shipped out to Vietnam from San Diego. We would never cross paths again. It wasn't long before we heard of your death in such a terrible accident..
I still have our Platoon 157 boot camp book which I go through every once in a while. It brings back several fond memories of our time in boot camp. We became close in boot camp and remained brothers as Marines forever .
Michael.Thank you for your service to this great country. You served with Honor. Semper Fi Marine.

Private First Class Michael August Beringer, Served with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Artillery Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.