THE WALL OF FACES

On September 25, 1965, the Second Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, was operating in the Binh Thy-Giao Tri area in Quang Nam Province, RVN, conducting a search and clear mission. During the operation, they discovered approximately 600 lbs. of rice. A fire team and the Platoon Sergeant were left as security with the rice until Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces arrived to take custody of it. Meanwhile, the remainder of the platoon continued its mission. At 5:05 PM, Second Platoon was hit by an electrically detonated mine of the directional Claymore-type in an area believed to have been mine-swept. Seven men were wounded; three later died of wounds. They included LCPL Walter J. Bienkowski, who died September 28, 1965, at the U.S. Army Hospital at Nha Trang from multiple fragmentation wounds to the chest and legs; also lost were SSGT William E. Hill and PFC Bernard P. Murray. As the mine exploded, an estimated Viet Cong (VC) platoon opened fire from a position north of an adjacent river. The remainder of the platoon deployed and returned fire against the VC. At the same time, the 2nd Platoon, Company M, 3/4 was alerted to be helicopter-lifted to the area from which the fire was being received. Artillery fire (188 rounds) was placed on the VC position and used to clear a landing zone. Upon completion of these fire missions, the 2nd Platoon of Company M was landed in a secured area and commenced a search and clear maneuver in the village of Giao Tri (2), three miles west of Tuy Loan Bridge. During the search of the village, four Marines became casualties with one killed, PVT Bennel Ellis, and three wounded by Marine UH-1E gunships providing close air support. The search and clear of the village continued during the hours of darkness until 11:00 PM by illumination from a flare ship. This enabled a limited search of the village to be completed. At first light, the village was reswept and thoroughly searched. There were no confirmed enemy casualties. Numerous caves and tunnels found in the village area were destroyed. A total of fifty-two villagers were detained and evacuated as VC suspects for screening. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Command Chronology (1st Bn 1st Marines), September 1965” at ttu.edu]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Johnny Griffin is touching. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

We were 12 year old kids and Walter was a friend with my friends older brother who also was in Vietnam. One Fourth of July, he came to our block in Bayside and was tossing live Ash Cans in the air and they would explode in the air. I never knew anyone who was so bold. I remember him as a fun person to be around. Bless you Walter.

Semper fi old friend. You were our hero. Our Elvis. Our feeling of invincibility as we grew to manhood. Like many of the boys of Bayside I followed you into the Corps. God was kind to me. Married Patty Walsh. Never forgot you. Visited you on your anniversary at St Mary's. God be good to you Walter. You were a great friend. Griff

Semper fi old friend. You were our hero. Our Elvis. Our feeling of invincibility as we grew to manhood. Like many of the boys of Bayside I followed you into the Corps. God was kind to me. Married Patty Walsh. Never forgot you. Visited you on your anniversary at St Mary's. God be good to you Walter. You were a great friend. Griff