THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

During the overnight period of June 2-3, 1967, 1st Platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, conducted an ambush patrol approximately two miles northwest of Duc Hoa in Hau Nghia Province, RVN. A Company’s commander made an aerial reconnaissance of the area the morning of June 2nd, and the platoon rehearsed the ambush and made preparations for the patrol throughout the afternoon of the same day. Twenty-four men were committed, and a variety of unit weapons were carried including two Starlight night-vision devices. The patrol set out at 7:05 PM and arrived at the first ambush site at 9:25 PM. Unidentified persons were seen at different times behind and parallel to the patrol. The Americans engaged two individuals with unknown results. A request for mortar support was denied due to the proximity to a friendly village. At 11:20 PM, the patrol moved from their position and set up a second ambush site. It was quiet until 3:00 AM when they began receiving small arms, rifle grenades, and mortar fire. Then an automatic weapon opened up from a dike to the southwest, pouring devastating fire into the middle of the ambush site. Groups of Viet Cong (VC) began assaulting the Americans’ position, moving in groups of eight or nine to as many as twenty. It was later estimated the patrol was under attack by a VC company. Taking serious casualties, and fearing being overrun, the Platoon Leader fled with those that could move into an adjacent tree line. Several wounded were left behind with the dead to defend their themselves. When supporting arms started hitting VC positions, the enemy began to withdraw. A flare ship provided illumination over the battle area, and a reaction force arrived at 6:30 AM. During the engagement, eight U.S. were killed and seven were wounded. The lost personnel included SP4 Kenneth A. Gore, SP4 Aubrey L. Hewitt, SP4 George D. Wallace, PFC Willie G. Dyer, PFC Harry E. Geary, PFC Taylor H. McLemore, PFC James W. Price Jr., and PFC Larry V. Sayers. Enemy losses were unknown. A survey of the ambush site by the reaction force disclosed several VC blood trails and two large pools of blood. All the lost U.S. personnel received posthumous promotions: Dyer, Geary, McLemore, and Sayers were promoted to Corporal, Price was moved up to Specialist Four, and Gore, Hewitt, Wallace were advanced to Sergeant. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “ARMY 1967 1ST BN 27TH INF AAR” at ttu.edu]

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

Dear Cpl Taylor McLemore, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Yesterday was the 75th anniversary of the Treaty 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.