THE WALL OF FACES

War drew us from our homeland
In the sunlit springtime of our youth.
Those who did not come back alive remain
in perpetual springtime -- forever young --
And a part of them is with us always.

Dear PFC Donald Paskowicz, Thank you for your service as a Field Communications Electronics Equipment Mechanics. The 54th anniversary of the start of your tour is in 3 days. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Holy Week and Passover. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On July 15, 1967, elements of the 919th Engineer Company, 11th Armored Cavalry, were tasked with repairing a bridge on National Highway QL-1 near Soui Cat that had been washed out by monsoon rains. During the course of the road march to the work site, an enemy claymore mine was detonated against the Command Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle (ACAV) resulting in the death of the Company Commander, CPT Donald J. Crocker, FSG Everett A. Herritz, PFC Harry A. Kelley, and PFC Donald Paskowitz. After a search of the immediate area failed to disclose any enemy soldiers, the remaining elements of the Company pushed on to complete their mission in spite of their loss. The following day the repairs were completed, and this vital supply route was once again open to traffic. Crocker was subsequently awarded the Bronze Star medal in connection with this mission. He was also posthumously promoted to Major. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and Unit History, 919th Engineer Company (Armored) 13 April 1966 - 31 December 1967 at vva.vietnam.ttu.edu]

Don was graduating from Greendale High School when I was junior there. Don was my friend, we used to ride around in his '57 Chevy where he had hooked up a reel-to-reel tape recorder. He also hooked up a bull horn in the grill and we'd play music through it and also talk to the young ladies. We really had a lot of good clean fun. We were only friends for about a year when Don decided to joing the Army and fight in Vietnam. Still miss you my friend!

On July 15, 1967, a convoy comprised of elements of the 919th Engineer Company, 11th Armored Cavalry, was on a mission to repair a bridge which had been washed out by torrential rains. The bridge was on the main supply route to the Gia Ray Rock Quarry and a fire support base located in Gia Ray, Long Khanh Province, RVN. Several engineer units within the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment participated in the operation. As the convoy was enroute to their objective, an enemy Claymore mine was detonated to the rear of the lead vehicle. Four persons were killed by the blast. They included the Commanding Officer, CPT Donald J. Crocker, combat engineer MSGT Everett A. Herritz, and radio operators PFC Harry A. Kelly and PFC Donald Paskowicz. Crocker was posthumously award the Bronze Star medal for valor and promoted to Major. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]