THE WALL OF FACES

Dear SFC William Petty, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. The 46th anniversary of the fall of Saigon just passed, and it is still sad. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Of the four platoon sergeants we had in Basic Tng Co D-7-2 in 1962, Sergeant Petty was the only one with a heart and the only one who would take his personal time to explain things over and over to even the slowest of us. I have a rubbing of your name from The Wall hanging on my wall. RIP, Sergeant, you were the best.

Dear SFC William Clark Petty, 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

SFC William C. Petty served with Brigade Headquarters & Headquarters (HHC), 196th Infantry Brigade. On June 21, 1967, SFC Petty was in base camp when he was accidently shot and fatally wounded by another individual who was cleaning a .22 calibre revolver. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

You were a Staff Sergeant at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, a training instructor and black belt in karate. You had a wife, Alma, 3 daughters, Jackie, Sandra and Cindi and a son, Bill (named after you). Your son, Bill, was in the Navy later in the Vietnam War. Your nephew, Kevin, Jackie's youngest son served honorably in the Army Military Police in the Iraq War (the tip of the spear) taking down Sadam Hussain's palace. Both Jackie and Bill are gone now, dying too young. You are still remembered for the sacrifice you made to preserve our freedom and you are not forgotten.