THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Cpl William Negrini, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It’s a New Year, but not necessarily better. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

In the early morning hours of May 6, 1969, Camp Carolyn, a remote U.S. artillery base near the Cambodian border in Tay Ninh Province, RVN, was attacked by an estimated 300 North Vietnamese Army regulars who charged out of the bamboo forest surrounding the camp in a desperate attempt to overrun the position. The NVA broke through the barbed wire defenses at two points and occupied and held six of the perimeter bunkers and one of the gun positions for nearly two hours. The assault was preceded by a heavy barrage of rocket and mortar fire. After penetrating the perimeter, the enemy ran at the American bunkers, hurling grenades and satchel charges and firing AK-47’s. The force of the attack drove out the U.S. soldiers, and the dugouts were immediately occupied by the NVA. The charge was stopped when the Americans shot holes into the fuel drums near the bunkers and ignited flowing rivers of gas to create a flaming barrier, which effectively blocked further enemy penetration. From that point, the Americans counterattacked with all available personnel, the officers involved being killed at the head of their troops. Artillerymen, supply and signal personnel, and engineers fought and died as emergency infantry reserves. Their counterattacks were hurled against both enemy penetrations, but the most violent fighting occurred on the northern side of Carolyn, where a seesaw battle raged for possession of the 155mm howitzer position. During the course of the battle, this weapon exchanged hands 3 times in hand-to-hand fighting decided at close range with rifles and E-tools (entrenching tools, or shovels). Another light howitzer section was caught in an enemy crossfire between a heavy machine gun and rifles until the U.S. artillerymen managed to turn their lowered muzzle and pump “Beehive” flechettes into the enemy. All enemy automatic weapon fire against the howitzer was instantly silenced. As Cavalry counterattacks continued, the Americans reestablished the perimeter, and the enemy force began withdrawing, breaking contact at 6:00 AM. The action against Carolyn resulted in 10 U.S. killed, 62 wounded. Enemy losses were 101 killed and 29 captured. The lost Americans included 1LT Oliver A. Best Jr., PFC Richard J. Daley, PFC Paul J. Kronthaler, CPL Jackie R. McKenzie, CPL William L. Negrini, SGT Fruto J. Oquendo, SGT Gilbert G. Palacio, SP4 Foster L. Sonnier, SP4 Jose Soto-Concepcion, and CPT Joseph Woodard. Two weeks after the hard-fought defense, the U.S. abandoned the firebase. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “GI’s Bury 100 Enemy, Rebuild Remote Camp’s Defenses.” Atlanta Journal Constitution, May 7, 1969; other web sources also used]

Dear CPL William Lodi Negrini, 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

A portion of Sepulveda Boulevard/State Highway Route 1 in El Segundo near Los Angeles International Airport has been dedicated to the residents of Los Angeles County who served in Vietnam. This section of highway is now designated the Los Angeles County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. Adopted by the California State Legislature in 2000, the highway honors the more than 350,000 California veterans who served in the Vietnam War, including the 5,822 killed or missing in action. Los Angeles County has the largest number of Vietnam veterans in California and 1,857 of its residents were killed or missing in action during that war. This memorial corridor provides a fitting and proper way for the residents of Los Angeles County to express their gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices these Vietnam veterans have made for their country.

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers