THE WALL OF FACES

Some may think you are forgotten
Though on earth you are no more
But in our memory you are with us
As you always were before….

My mistake, it was 03/09/1967. I’m sorry, however I will never forget that night nor will I ever forget you. RG

Operation Adams was a 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 47th Regiment operation to protect rice harvests in Phu Yen Province, RVN, from the 18B and 95th North Vietnamese Army regiments. The operation was carried out from October 26, 1966 to March 30, 1967. A little after midnight on March 9, 1967, a platoon from Company A, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry was in a night defensive position in the vicinity of Hill 86, six miles northwest of Tuy An, when it was attacked by a 100-man Viet Cong (VC) force. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the Americans before a relief force could reach them. The attack on the platoon began when the VC charged their position, tossing grenades and satchel charges, initiating a fight which lasted about a half hour. Ten U.S. were killed in the battle. The rescue party, a mechanized unit, while headed to the besieged platoon, had mines discharged against them and suffered three killed. Total casualties were thirteen dead and twenty-seven wounded. The lost personnel included (from 3/12th) were PFC George J. Bojarski, PFC Charles P. Brown, PFC Richard A. Jurcak, PVT Gus Stovall Jr., SP4 Lloyd M. Kuehn, PFC John M. Mansfield, SP4 Oscar W. Pierce, PFC John H. Roth, PFC Robert J. Sommerer, and SP4 Larry J. Waddell; and (from A Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry) SSG Ambrosios S. Jurado, SGT Angel Ortiz-Rodriguez, and SP4 Edward J. Haburey. Enemy losses were put at five killed. In the days following this action, 3/12th Infantry had a series of small actions in the vicinity of Hill 86 resulting in forty-seven VC killed. Personal belongings of some of the Americans killed on Hill 86 were found on VC bodies, identifying them as the same force which attacked Hill 86. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, “Lessons Learned, Headquarters, I Field Force Vietnam, April 1967” at swampfox.info, and “U.S. Platoon Battered In Battle Near Tuy Hoa.” Pacific Stars & Stripes, March 11, 1967]

Dear SGT Angel Ortiz-Rodriguez, I hope someone puts your photo here because this wall of faces needs yours. Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Lent has begun. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor Angel.