THE WALL OF FACES

Remember to save for them a place inside of you, and save one backward glance when you are leaving, for the places they can no longer go...

Operation Cocoa Beach (March 3-8, 1966) was a U.S. Army operation along National Route QL-13 near Lai Khe in Binh Duong Province, RVN. The plan called for a series of battalion-sized operations around Bau Bang where the Viet Cong (VC) 272nd Regiment was believed to be operating. On March 3rd, the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment marched into the Lo Ke Rubber Plantation west of Bau Bang and established a patrol base. The following day, patrols discovered enemy trenches near the patrol base.  In the early morning of the 5th, a patrol led by 2LT Robert J. Hibbs detected movement north of the base and observed a supply column of children and armed women meeting up with a company of VC. The VC and some of the supply column moved south towards the patrol which triggered two Claymore mines and engaged the VC. The patrol then disengaged and moved back to the base, fighting through another enemy unit 100 yards from the base perimeter. Hibbs and his sergeant stopped to help a wounded man but were hit by VC machine gun fire. Hibbs single-handedly attacked the machine gun position and was mortally wounded. At 6:35 AM the enemy assaulted the patrol base with a large force, attacking from the northwest and shifting to the northeast. The Americans fought back with all available assets. A second attack from the west was broken up by U.S. Air Force jet fighters. The VC attacking from the north were driven into a trench and hedgerow where they received a merciless pounding from the air strikes. Strikes were also directed on to VC mortar positions set up near the plantation in the northeast. VC strength appeared to be battalion-size on each side of the perimeter. About 9:30 AM, the heaviest attack was launched from the south. Concentrated artillery, automatic weapons, and mortars were used to break up the assault. By mid-morning, the VC began to withdraw. The fighting cost eight American lives (including six more when a resupply helicopter was shot down). The lost infantrymen were: (A/2-28 Inf) SP4 Roy F. Harbison; (B/2-28 Inf) 2LT Robert J. Hibbs (posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor), SP4 James H. Page, PFC Dennis M. Lyden, PFC Dennis R. Ortwine; (C/2-28 Inf) PSG Clifton Winningham (posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross), PFC Henry D. Lankford, and PFC Richard E. Nutt. Enemy losses were 199 killed with eight suspects detained. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, wikipedia.org, and “Danger Forward” (May 1967) at firstdivisionmuseum.nmtvault.com]

Dear PFC Dennis Ortwine, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Your 55th anniversary is in 3 days, sad. 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.

Dear PFC Dennis Royal Ortwine, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

Dennis is buried at North Farmington Cemetery, Farmington,MI.