THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Putnam Paragon (May 18 – October 12, 1970) was a 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division search and clear operation in Binh Dinh Province, RVN. The 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry operated out of Fire Support Base Augusta where it arrived on August 19, 1970. The Battalion was positioned in the northern portion of the 2nd Brigade Area of Operations and conducted missions with emphasis on interdicting enemy movement in the Suoi Ca Valley. On September 26, 1970, Reconnaissance Platoon, E Company, 1/12 was preparing to leave an overnight ambush position eight kilometers (4.8 miles) southwest of Phu My in Binh Dinh Province, RVN, when a mechanical ambush device was accidentally detonated. The blast killed four platoon members. They included 1LT Joseph A. Silva, SGT John F. Buescher, SP5 Richard A. Taylor, and PFC John A. Ogrizek. The mishap occurred at 8:30 AM while retrieving a Claymore anti-personnel mine. Ogrizek was hit in the neck and killed instantly. He had been in Vietnam just over a month; he was posthumously promoted to Corporal. Buescher also died instantly after being hit in the back. Taylor, a medic assigned to E Company, sustained wounds to the chest and abdomen; he, too, died instantly. Silva, the platoon leader, was a West Point graduate. The casualties were flown to the 8th Field Hospital at Camp Radcliff and turned over to Graves Registration personnel. An investigating officer was appointed to gather facts about the incident. It is unclear what outcome it produced as the Army generally provided very little details regarding such incidents. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Say not in grief he is no more, but live in thankfulness that he was.

Dear Cpl John Ogrizek, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Presidents’, and Valentine’s Days just passed. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

As your 70th birthday approaches, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Friends since We were inducted - Fort Dix & Fort Polk - helped carry YOU up the hill - CRIED THE WHOLE TIME - ALAN E. TYNAN - HACKETTSTOWN NEW JERSEY