THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will never die...

Sergeant First Class Jose Quinata Aguon, Served with Company D, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

DEAR SGT AGUON,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES AS A GRUNT. AS A PERSON FROM GUAM, YOU PAID A PRICE FOR THE COUNTRY THAT HAS HAD GUAM AS A TERRITORY. REST IN PEACE.

Platoon Sergeant Jose Quinata Aguon served with Company D, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade

Gary Steger
[email protected]
His Platoon Leader, in Vietnam
Cypress, TX., 77429, USA
The best soldier
I arrived, in country, on 23March68 and assigned, as the Platoon, Leader, for 3rd, Platoon, of Delta, Company, 4th, BN., 12th, Infantry, 199th, LIB.. I was scared to death, afraid, I would not, measure up and would, get all, my men killed. The first soldier, in my platoon I met, was SGT., Aguon and it was, a true blessing. He was, the best and most, professional soldier, I ever knew. After a few, months, I went to the 4th, Platoon and felt, as if, I lost, my safety net. On 6/2/68, I was conferring with Jose, after our 2, platoons, had made, an Airmobile assault. It was, a hot LZ. and we thought the enemy, had escaped. Jose was acting, Platoon Leader, for the 3rd, Platoon and he and I, were ordered, by LT., Smith, our acting CO., to move forward, along a canal. AS Jose and I made our plans, he spotted several NVA., troops, in a bunker and opened fire. His actions saved my life, but cost him his. I treasure, the time, I spent, with him and continue, to honor, his memory.