THE WALL OF FACES

PFC Johnnie Patterson was an aircraft mechanic serving with Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC), 937th Engineer Group (Combat), 18th Engineer Brigade, U.S. Army Republic of Vietnam Engineer Command. In late 1965, the 937th Group assumed responsibility for engineering projects in northern Military Region II. At Qui Nhon in Binh Dinh Province, the group’s major emphasis was the development of the port, its depot, and fuel storage facilities plus the construction of a 400-bed hospital. The headquarters unit where Patterson worked had an aviation section which maintained aircraft for various administrative and other flight duties. On the evening of December 15, 1965, he was found in his bed with a gunshot wound to the left chest. An M14 rifle was at his side. He was transported to the 85th Evacuation Hospital at Qui Nhon where he was dead on arrival. Army investigators ruled his death to be intentionally self-inflicted. Patterson was 18 years old. An Army volunteer, he had been in Vietnam nearly four months. He was survived by his mother and step-father. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org and “Engineers at War” by Adrian G. Traas]

Taken from the Valdosta Daily Times (Valdosta, GA), December 27, 1965.

Taken from the Valdosta Daily Times (Valdosta, GA), December 29, 1965.

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. You died at 18 years of age. I am 74 and have lived a long and fulfilling life. It is tragic you never had that same opportunity. May you rest in eternal peace.