THE WALL OF FACES

There is a place
Not far from here
Where spirits walk
And heroes live
And honor still resides.

It is a wall
With names inscribed
Of those who served
When they were asked...
The brothers of my youth.

I go there still
To walk and think
About my life,
And what I've done since
And things that might have been.

There is a debt
I can't repay
Too many lives were spent.
And one man's life cannot suffice
To make their deaths worthwhile.

But there is hope
In the memory
Of those we leave behind
Who know the price that freedom brings
Who can carry on in kind.

I send you now
To touch a name
So the vision can be passed
Remember there is honor still
It is for you to see it lasts.

They are not dead
And have a wish
As all old soldiers do
The reflection you see before you now
Is their wish to live in you.

Operation El Paso I and Operation El Paso II were conducted by the U.S. Army's 3rd Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division in Binh Long Province, RVN, from May 19 to July 13, 1966. In April 1966, prisoner interrogations and captured documents revealed Viet Cong (VC) and North Vietnamese Army plans for a major offensive near Loc Ninh. El Paso was the 3rd Brigade’s response to counter the coming offensive. Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRRP) were utilized to search the area for VC base camps and installations. Team #6, a recon unit from D Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, was inserted approximately seven miles southwest of Chon Thanh on the early morning of June 13th. They reported considerable evidence of VC activity. The team was then engaged by an unknown-sized VC force, killing point man SGT Rudolph A. Nunez. U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft supported the contact, allowing the patrol to disengage and be successfully extracted; however, due of the tactical situation, Nunez’ body could not be recovered and was left behind. Four VC were reported killed in the fighting. Further airstrikes were placed on the enemy positions. In a follow up to the contact, two infantry battalions were committed into the area. Several enemy base camps, including one of regimental size, were found but only small groups of VC were encountered as they chose to abandon their camps. An Aerial Rifle Platoon was committed where the Nunez was killed, and his body was retrieved. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism. A later assessment of the operation determined it to have been poorly conceived. The topography was deemed unsuitable for the LRRP’s due to the open terrain lacking cover and concealment. The report concluded the operation was compromised when the team was unable to stealthily maneuver in its assigned area. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, “Operational Report - Lessons Learned, 1st Infantry Division dated 1 Aug 1966 - 31 October 1966” at archive.org, and SGT Nunez’ DSC citation]

Dear Sgt Rudolph Nunez, Thank you for your service as an Infantry Operations & Intelligence Specialist. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Grandpa Rudolph, I would of loved to have met you. I wished you would have lived, so I could ask you to tell me stories about the war. I hear from Grandma all the time that you were a great man. I miss you, and my dad, Rudolph misses you insanely. and My uncles Rodney and Eric do too. Everyone does. Today was a slow day. I helped my mom around the house, but that is about it. I would like to report to you almost daily if i can. I love you.

Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Rudolph Algar Nunez (ASN: RA-56316818), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop D, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division. Sergeant Nunez distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 13 June 1966 near Saigon, Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Nunez served as point man for a five-man Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol that had been helilifted into a landing zone approximately 50 miles north of Saigon, Vietnam. While searching the jungles for suspected insurgent concentrations, Sergeant Nunez' unit was engaged in a vicious fire fight with a well-entrenched and fully-armed Viet Cong force. Although he was mortally wounded during the first moments of battle, Sergeant Nunez fearlessly held his position and engaged several well-fortified insurgent emplacements. As he lay dying, Sergeant Nunez removed a transmitter from his back and pulled the antenna to the transmit position to guide fighter aircraft onto his location. Although this meant certain death, Sergeant Nunez attempted to bring further fire power on his position to provide his comrades a better chance for escape. Through his courage, he prevented the remainder of his patrol from being overrun. Sergeant Nunez' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 5885 (October 3, 1966)

Action Date: 13-Jun-66

Service: Army

Rank: Sergeant

Company: Troop D, 1st Squadron

Regiment: 4th Cavalry Regiment

Division: 1st Infantry Division