THE WALL OF FACES

Ron and I were good friends and was so sadden the night he was killed. was fighting fire at the barracks which was 200 yards from where he and the other 4 died. 1 other James F Brooks was burned badly and died later. What a night and thank God for there service.

Dear A1C Ronald Poole, Thank you for your service with the 366th Combat Engineer Squadron. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Memorial Day just passed when our nation remembers your sacrifice. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Our paths crossed only for a short time when you were a fellow firefighter at Gunter AFB AL. and you were my roommate. However I think of you often and have been to the wall several times. You are not forgotten !

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

Shortly after midnight on July 15, 1967, Da Nang Air Base in Quang Nam Province, RVN, came under a heavy rocket attack. The attack started at 12:25 AM and an estimated 50 rounds of 122mm rockets were fired at the installation. Nine USAF personnel were killed during the barrage and 128 others were wounded, 40 of them requiring hospitalization. Another 35 U.S. Army personnel on the base were also wounded. Counter-battery fire was initiated immediately, supported by AC-47 “Spooky” gunships. By 2:00 AM, artillery and air strikes were hitting possible enemy escape routes. The bombardment, which lasted approximately 30 minutes, started numerous fires and resulted in extensive structural damage to U.S. Navy, Marine and Air Force facilities. There was heavy damage to the bomb storage area and moderate damage to the airfield. In addition, eight aircraft were destroyed and 45 aircraft were damaged during the attack. The lost USAF personnel included A1C John S. Berg, A2C Charles F. Boss, A1C James F. Brooks, SSGT David A. Fasnacht, A2C Charles R. Humble, A1C Ronald F. Poole, A2C James H. Price, A2C Jerald K. Sumida, and A2C Charles D. Ward. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam Monthly Historical Summary, July 1967]