THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. We should be forever thankful for the sacrifices of you and so many others to ensure the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Dear PFC Robert Noto, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. Tomorrow is your 73rd birthday, happy birthday. 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.

Operation Delaware was a joint military action of troops from the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). The mission was to move into the A Shau Valley in Thua Thien Province, RVN, to dislodge North Vietnamese Army (NVA) forces there since March 1966 after overrunning an isolated U.S. Special Forces camp. The A Shau Valley, west of the coastal city of Hue along the border of Laos, was a vital corridor for moving military supplies down the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and used by the NVA as a staging area for numerous attacks in northern I Corps. The operation began on April 19, 1968, after preparatory B-52 and tactical bombing of NVA anti-aircraft and troop positions. The operation required a radio relay site so the engaged brigades could communicate with Camp Evans near the coast or with approaching aircraft. Midway up the eastern side of the valley was a perfect spot: the 4,878-foot Dong Re Lao Mountain. The 1st Cavalry Division's headquarters dubbed it "Signal Hill." A 30-man long-range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP, or "Lurp") from Company E, 52nd Infantry (LRP) rappelled by helicopter onto Signal Hill, followed by other members of Company E with signalmen and engineers. The insertion and clearing work had not gone unnoticed, and soon NVA elements moved toward the hill, precipitating a two-day battle with the Americans. Eleven U.S. were killed or seriously wounded including three Lurps: SGT William G. Lambert, PFC Robert J. Noto, and SP4 Richard J. Turbitt Jr.; also lost was PFC James F. Mac Manus from B Company, 8th Engineer Battalion. The LRRPs held Signal Hill for close to three weeks, providing a vital fire support base and radio relay site. Their action saved American lives and helped ensure the success of Operation Delaware by allowing coordinated air and ground attacks, timely artillery strikes, and air rescue of wounded infantrymen and downed aircrews. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

We both knew when we were dropped on the hill it was going to be bloody.. bagging you up in the rain and mud has been something I’ll never forget.. Parkinson sent me because he knew we were friends... Ankony and Whitten And I spent another 30 days on the hill...
We swept the hill and found the NVA sniper that brought down the Huey ... Parkinson and Dish killed him , the 5 of us put a bullet in him for you.. We left him lay after searching his body ... you would have done the same for us... I miss you , think of you all the time... I know Budweiser sales suffered with your passing ..
Spec 4 Bruce Cain LRRP

Bob, we were neighbors, best friends, and sat by each other on the Lindbergh bus everyday. You joined the Army, I joined the Navy, both were in the pit at the same time, but never got to see each other while deployed. You are especially in my thoughts this year as my Son and Granddaughter visited the wall recently and brought me a photo of your name. It's been a long time, but I miss you buddy.