THE WALL OF FACES

At the beginning of 1971, the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) conducted combat operations in War Zone D along the Military Region I and II boundary, southern Phuoc Long Province, Long Khanh Province, northeastern Binh Duong Province, and northeastern Bien Hoa Province. The brigade specifically sought out two North Vietnamese Army units, SR-5 and the 81st Rear Service Group. Further objectives were the interdiction of infiltration routes used by the two enemy units and preventing their mortar and rocket attacks against the brigade base camp at Camp Gorvad in Binh Duong Province. On the morning of February 27, 1971, a ground reconnaissance patrol from 3rd Platoon, B Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, was moving along an 18” wide trail running north-south approximately 43 kilometers (26.6 miles) northeast of Dinh Quan in Lam Dong Province, RVN, when they were hit sniper fire. The enemy rounds came from a single individual about 75 yards to the north on the west side of the trail. The patrol returned fire with unit weapons as the enemy rifleman evaded north. The hostile fire killed two patrol members, SGT Emilio N. Nededog and PFC Francisco Quintanilla Jr. Quintanilla was posthumously promoted to Corporal. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report – Lessons Learned, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), Period Ending 30 April 1971” at dtic.mil]

CPL Francisco Quintanilla Jr. is buried in Section 1, Block 8, Lot 2, Space A of the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Mission, TX.

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Dear Cpl Francisco Quintanilla, 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 Independence Day week. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

The Jackrabbit,fastest on our playing fields,MHS fellow grad and, La Pompa and Pearson Elementary neighborhood athlete was A good friend with a quick smile for everyone. Enjoyed the games we played as kids with you, your family and the Villareal family. Proud to have known you. No one forgets a Friend.