THE WALL OF FACES

Say not in grief he is no more, but live in thankfulness that he was.

The stadium is named in honor of Cpl Luciano Paul Plesakov, Moniteau Class of 1965, KIA 3 May 1967, Quang Tin Conflict - Vietnam War, A Co, 3rd Marines, 9th MAB, 1st Bn United States Marine Corps. The only Moniteau grad ever killed in action.

Luciano, my name is Ted Folwarczny, I was the little squirt in our family, and a friend of your little brother Vince. Although I don't really remember you, I'm certain that you'd remember me. You went to high school with my older brother and sister. I was just 11 years old when I went to your funeral. Being from a large extended family I had been to many funerals before, but the grief at yours was almost overwhelming. It was also the first time that I'd ever heard Taps and a 21 Gun Salute. It is forever etched in my memory. I will never forget that day. I occasionally drive by that cemetery in little West Sunbury PA, and it still sends chills up my spine. In Butler County we we have banners up everywhere in remembrance of all who have been lost in all of our wars. When I told my sister that yours was hanging in front of Thompson's Store in little West Sunbury, she began talking about you and through tears described you as the nicest person you could ever meet, who would do anything for anyone anytime. I know that you already know ALL of this, but having just read the what your brothers-in-arms said about you, I want them to know that this is (not was) the real you. That having been said, I want you all to know that although this little squirt, having served on a Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine during the Cold War, understands the risk and dedication it takes to serve, you who were boots on the ground are the true heroes... ALL of you. Luciano, because of who he is, is proud of you.

The Water Run Ambush. Some of us went from Vietnan to Okinawa to refurbish. With others, returned to Vietnam as Battalion Landing Team (BLT-1/3), 1st. Battn, 3rd. Marine Regiment, 3 Marine Div. Our fleet ship was the USS Okinawa, a helicopter carrier; to do heliborne assaults against the N. Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces. On April 28, 1967 we were heli-lifted into the Que Son Valley (Quang Tin Prov.) to sweep northwest of the village. We humped for days, contact with the enemy was increasing. On May 3, 1967 after a very hot day of search, we called off the day. It was Operation Beaver Cage-Union.
In need of drinking water, a water run was organized mostly out of company “A” guys who proceeded to pick up every else’s canteen and hoisted them on belts to carry as many as possible to the creek. So many that they were even told not to bring their weapons. We had made the mistake of setting up camp in a flat area lower than some nearby hills. Unknowingly to us, the enemy was spying from the higher ground. The water run group left the perimeter and we keep digging foxholes for the night. Shortly afterwards, heavy automatic and small arms fire erupted. Since there have been no prior scouting, the water run was easily ambushed by the creek. Everybody was called to commit, and the battle lasted until past midnight. Artillery and gunship fire was needed to suppress the cunning enemy. Word of mouth was that 14 Marine brothers were killed ambushed that fateful evening, but I can only account for 11, including this hero. Some of the bodies we could not retrieve until the next day. As Shore Party man, I helped load most the bodies into the choppers. 55 years later, I want to memorialize all of them and tell their loved ones what happened. As for me, sometime later, on the evening of June 13, 1967, I lost part of my right leg to a booby trap during the first day of Operation Choctaw. God Bless you all brothers. I still love and remember you all. Semper Fi. Antonio R. Ramos. Revised on Aug 22, 2022.
In Memory: 1) Balch, James Iverson -Corpman; 2) Button, Monty Duwayne; 3) Carnline, Troy Monroe; 4) Dickerson, Tommy Eugene; 5) Falwell, Donald Wayne; 6) La Rose, Joseph Rhuben, 7) Murry Eugene; 8) Plesakov, Luciano Paul; 9) Spicer, Eugene Douglas; 10) Sweesy, John Earl; 11) Verbilla, David.
May the Lord Bless their souls. They are not dead until we forget them.

Semper Fi

L/Cpl: Antonio R. Ramos – USMC- Ret.
Archaeologist and Historian.
3 Shore Party Bn, attached to BLT 1

Dear Cpl Luciano Plesakov, Thank you for your service as a Machine Gunner. Your 54th anniversary was this month, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Memorial Day is in a few days when the nation remembers all our lost. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.