THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Toan Thang IV ("Complete Victory") [November 1, 1969 - May 1, 1970] was a U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) operation designed to keep pressure on Viet Cong (VC) and North Vietnam Army forces in Military Region III. The operation sought to established South Vietnamese governmental control in the areas around Saigon following the Tet Offensive of 1968. Allied initiatives brought the fighting to the enemy wherever intelligence reports indicated his presence. Despite sustaining losses, during the last week of February 1970, an active insurgency continued across the area of operation. On February 26th, the U.S. 372nd Radio Research Company reported intercepts indicating the enemy’s Spring Campaign was getting underway. Offensive actions included besieging Tay Ninh Base Camp with a mortar attack. The base, located twelve kilometers (7.4 miles) from the Cambodian border in Tay Ninh Province, received 25 rounds of 120mm mortar fire on the 27th. Several impacted in the cantonment area for D Company, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division troops, killing six Americans and wounding six others. The lost personnel included SGT Danny C. Berrier, SGT Jesus M. Encarnacion-Colon, PFC James B. Heard, PFC James E. Piva, PFC Frank L. Staton, and PFC Cornelius Terry. Heard, Piva, Stanton, and Terry were posthumously promoted to Corporal. Material losses included heavy damage to one building, moderate damage to three UH-1D and one AH-1G helicopters, and light damage to two jeeps, five buildings, and two UH-1 helicopters. The attack on Tay Ninh was considered the most significant enemy attack by fire against a U.S. installation in three months. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report – Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, Period Ending 30 April 1970” at archive.org]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. It saddens me so few have left remembrances for you here....surely you deserve better. May you rest in eternal peace.

Danny....Honoring you on your birthday....God Bless

DEAR SERGEANT BERRIER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A GRUNT. TOMORROW IS THE 47TH ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR DEATH. WITH EACH YEAR THAT PASSES, IT MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. 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 ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.

Sergeant Danny Clarence Berrier, Served with Company D, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.