THE WALL OF FACES

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

During February 1967, Company B, 3rd Antitank Battalion, 3rd Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Forces (FMF) operated in support of the 4th Marine Regiment providing direct support to Marine infantry including direct and indirect fire support, Harassment and Interdiction (H&I) fire, and command post security. The Company also furnished engineer road sweep security and convoy escort. Company B’s main battle vehicle was the M50A1 Ontos, a light armored tracked anti-tank vehicle mounted with six 106mm manually loaded M40 recoilless rifles. On February 12th, B Company’s 1st and 2nd platoons and Company Command group were proceeding in convoy to a blocking position in support of a search and destroy operation to be conducted by I and M Companies, 3/26 Marines. At 9:00 AM, at a point approximately ten kilometers (6.0 miles) southeast of Phong Dien in Thua Thien Province, RVN, the lead vehicle with the Company Commander, 2nd Platoon Commander, four Ontos crewman, and one infantryman struck a land mine believed to be a 250-lb. bomb detonated by one or more 155mrn rounds. The blast killed all personnel aboard and completely destroyed the Ontos. The lost Marines included SGT Morris E. Burns, CPL Allen L. Butler, CAPT Steve L. Camby, 1LT Donald J. Egan Jr., PFC Roger L. Niemi, PFC Bernardino Santiago-Vazquez, and LCPL Casimir S. Sylwanowicz. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Command Chronology (3d Antitank Bn), February 1967” at ttu.edu]

Dear PFC Roger Niemi, Thank you for your service as on an ONTOS Crewman. 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.

Semper Fi Marine.

Dear PFC Roger Lyle Niemi, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter