THE WALL OF FACES

I was 5 when Edgar died but vividly remember the day his mother called mine with the news and we went straight over to her house. His mother and mine were first cousins, along with several other “aunts”, all of whom were only children and girls. Oddly, many of them had only children as well, two of whom were Edgar and I. He was a sweet boy who had little patience for little girl cousins!
I can so perfectly hear his mother’s wailing and crying while my mother wrung her hands in sadness for Grace. I can perfectly recall the dogs in the house pacing with anxiety, knowing something was wrong. They were huge Dobermans in their small living room and were nervous wrecks over their “mom”.
The moving wall is coming to my town and I was just telling my husband about Edgar and what I remember. I had never thought to look him up, although I think of him anytime I think of that war.
His mother never had another happy day in her life. It destroyed her.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Cleve Rowley is especially poignant. May you rest in eternal peace.

Edgar and I were high school classmates in the early 1960’s. We were both students at Murphy High School in Atlanta, Georgia. Several years ago I began writing my family history and when I got to my high school years I began to research more about the two classmates who died in Vietnam. Edgar was the first of the two to die while serving in an infantry company in Vietnam. While most of this information can be found on Edgar’s Wall profile this is what I can piece together and remember.

Edgar Bishop was a Sergeant and began his tour in Vietnam on December 22, 1969. He was assigned to D Company, 1st Battalion, 198th Light Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division (Americal). and was killed just 3 weeks later. I arrived in Vietnam about 9 months after Edgar was killed and was assigned to the same Infantry Brigade and Division. The area his unit conducted operations is the same area of Vietnam my unit operated.

I remember Edgar from high school, but we did not have much interaction and of course now I regret not knowing him better. However, I have attached a photo of us together as Sophomore Student Representatives for our Student Council. As with most high schools, Edgar and I just ran with different crowds and he did not live in my immediate neighborhood. He lived at 76 Daniel Avenue which in the East Lake area. During my Junior year we moved to that area on Hooper Street, but by then Edgar had transferred to Henry County High School. Looking at his picture in our yearbook, I do recall him being well liked and someone who had a heart for people.

Timing and where you served in Vietnam greatly impacted the danger you would face during the normal one year assignment. Edgar served during a time and in a place where the fighting was most intense. It’s heartbreaking to think he lost his life in his prime. However, I am thankful I have the opportunity to tell him, after over 50 years, my memories of his life and his sacrifice run deep in my heart and I am thankful he is at peace. He deserved a longer life, but I know he is at rest and his spirit lives in me and many others who knew him.

Sergeant Edgar Lee Bishop, Served with the 1st Platoon, Company D, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, United States Army Vietnam.

P.S. I HOPE SOMEONE WILL PUT YOUR PHOTO HERE BECAUSE THIS WALL OF FACES NEEDS YOURS.