THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Toan Thang IV ("Complete Victory") [November 1, 1969 - May 1, 1970] was a U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) operation designed to keep pressure on Viet Cong (VC) and North Vietnam Army forces in Military Region III. The operation sought to established South Vietnamese governmental control in the areas surrounding the capital of Saigon following the Tet Offensive of 1968. Allied initiatives brought the fighting to the enemy wherever intelligence reports indicated his presence. The enemy, on the other hand, initiated activity which tended to be stand-off attacks. During the second quarter of 1970, ten shelling incidents were reported in the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division area of operations. The most significant event was an attack on Tay Ninh Base Camp located twelve kilometers (7.4 miles) from the Cambodian border in Tay Ninh Province. At 7:10 AM on April 3, 1970, three 122mm rockets were launched against the base, killing two and wounding ten. The lost personnel included 1st Cavalry Division helicopter mechanics SSG James F. Lee and SP4 Ronald N. Parsons from the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion. A third 229th aviation specialist, SP6 Richard F. Heath, died ten days later at the U.S. Army’s 249th General Hospital in Japan where he had been evacuated for treatment. Material losses during the barrage were one building heavily damaged and light damage to another. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report – Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, Period Ending 30 April 1970” at archive.org]

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….

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

Wish you were here.

I was so young when you were killed in Vietnam and I can hardly remember you.
But I have always loved you.
My prayers are with your siblings and our family as we remember you this Memorial Day. Your cousin Renee 2021