THE WALL OF FACES

Dear PFC Jerome Pedicone, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is the Easter season. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Jerry was my radio operator and a week after I was pulled out of the field to work at the Battalion command center he was killed. It was hard for me hearing that he was gone. Had many memories of us both sitting around talking about home. Looked up his name on the wall and think of him often to this day. Talked with Janiques wife some years back. He died some time ago. Musclewhite and I got back in touch with each other many years later. He died of complications from a simple medical procedure. Many years ago but the memories still remain. Great to see this post.

We walked out of LZ Jane from the East gate and then turned left along a trail between the LZ wire and the river.
What little I remember about our mission is that it we were supposed to cross the river and then head North.
We were just outside the LZ, heading East along a trail by the river.
There was a Platoon leading followed by the CP and two (?) platoons trailing the CP.

In the CP there was Janitche (sp?), Musselwhite, me and my RTO Sam Parker, Jerry Pedicone and Captain Parker.

We came to a trail intersection and stopped. The trail looked like it may have led to a river crossing site, so I told Captain Parker that I would take a look to see if it was suitable for a river crossing site.
My RTO Sam and I proceeded down the trail toward the river while the company stopped in place.
We had gone upon 10 meters toward the river when there was a thunderous explosion.
Sam and I froze, fearing we may have set it off.
We got on the radio and told everybody where we were as we rejoined the CP.
Everybody in the CP was wounded.
Flak jackets definitely saved some lives that day, but Janitche lost his leg, Musselwhite, Capt Parker had shrapnel wounds, and of course, Jerry died instantly.
His mid-section was removed just below his flak jacket.
Ahead of the CP I found Darrel Depriest down.
I approached him to see how he was. All I could see was a small, ¼” hole in his throat, but no blood.
I spoke to him but don’t know if he heard me or not. I was shocked to hear he had died.

The day you died, you also died with my brother Darrell DePriest, I know he loved you and it is my prayer that you are now with him in Heaven. Thank you for the friendship I know you gave my Brother and for your service to our nation

Dear PFC Jerome John Pedicone, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter