THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your commanding officer Ted Fichtl is moving and reflects his admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Pete and I were 5 feet apart when he was killed. I commanded C/2/18. Peter was my XO. I wrote the Silver Star citation. Pete was the officer in whom I invested all my plans, hopes fears, and dreams should anything happen to me as commander. He would have then become commander. There was no better man, officer or friend. When he was killed I was devastated. I remember it like yesterday. we lost many Darkness Charlie troops that day. They still influence my life, but Pete the most.

I was Pete’s roommate in OCS and grew a great relationship smuggling pizza. In the field, he had my back, I had his. In country at the time, I wished I knew sooner that he took an RPG. By the time I knew he was on his way home. Some guys who knew the story said the road/trail on which he was the re-supply convoy Commander was suspect. As the story was told to me the ambush took place at a curve. The USArmy lost an exemplary, outstanding Leader. I recently moved to Michigan and am on a hunt for some relatives.. Jerry O’Connor.q

I was one of your OCS candidates. You led us on some challenging runs which prepared me for what was to come in VN. I learned the importance of paying careful attention to detail which has served me well throughout my life. I trust you are bringing your same dedication and strength to God's army.

I fell in love with Peter when I was two yrs old. My cousin, Gene, and Peter were close friends. The last time I saw Peter was the end of our summer job 1956 when he and Gene had to leave Castine to return to school. We wrote..we always wrote.
Life moved on..I no longer lived in Castine.. I had a letter..he said he was on his way to Nam and would I be sure to write..and could I be there when he came home..assured him I certainly would . We exchanged a few letters and it was his turn to write. I thought he must be busy, he always replied but he had not. On Saturday I drove to the store for a weekly paper. Peter was the front page. This is how I learned of his passing.
He was the sweetest young man..smart, kind, twinkly eyed.
Peter will own a place in my heart as long as I live.