THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. We should be forever thankful for the sacrifices of you and so many others to ensure the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Dear Cpl Jimmy Rhodes, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. The fall of Afghanistan reminds me of Saigon. It is very sad. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Blackhorse Base Camp was established in late October 1966 as the base camp for the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The camp was located on highway QL-2, eight miles southwest of Xuan Loc in in Long Khanh Province, RVN. During its construction, numerous convoys brought troops and materiel from Long Binh Post. Each convoy presented a target and an opportunity to the enemy. On the mid-morning of November 21, 1966, a large convoy containing eighty vehicles escorted by a platoon-sized armored cavalry unit from C Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry, made up of nine M113 ACAVs (Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicles), departed from Long Binh. When less than twelve miles from Xuan Loc, the convoy was warned that a Viet Cong force might be nearby. At approximately 10:25 AM, the lead ACAV began to receive small arms and automatic weapons fire. Much of the convoy, about half, passed through the kill zone as fast as possible, with the lead and command ACAV’s returning to the ambush area with all guns firing. The enemy fire scored hits on several vehicles, bringing the remainder of the convoy to a halt, and turning the American vehicles into sitting targets. By this time enemy fire was coming from both sides of the road. The enemy force, estimated at 500-1000 men, stepped up the attack, using mortars and recoilless rifles, as the Americans returned fire at a rapid rate. Five minutes after the first shots had been fired, two armed helicopters were providing fire support followed by air strikes from fixed-wing aircraft. The air support and the aggressive response from the ACAVs forced the Viet Cong to break off contact. The Americans confirmed thirty enemy soldiers dead and estimated another seventy-five to one hundred killed. Seven U.S. soldiers lost their lives to Viet Cong fire, which also destroyed two ACAVs and four trucks. The 11th Armored Cav lost PFC Russell L. Halley (awarded the Bronze Star for heroism), SP4 Ray E. Johnson, SP4 Wallace J. Malone, PFC Harry L. Powers (awarded the Bronze Star for heroism), and SP4 Jimmy L. Rhodes (awarded the Silver Star for heroism). The 87th Transportation Company (Light Truck) lost two killed instantly by a recoilless rifle or mortar round, PFC William E. Kennedy (posthumously promoted to Corporal) and PFC Dennis R. Lehman; three others from the unit were wounded. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Armor Goes to War” by John M. Carland, Army History, Spring 2016]

Jimmy D. Rhodes
Date of birth: September 14, 1944
Date of death: November 21, 1966
Home of record: Orrum North Carolina
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Jimmy D. Rhodes (ASN: US-53409577), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Specialist Four Rhodes distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 21 November 1966 while serving as driver of an armored assault vehicle during an escort mission to a truck convoy near Xuan Loc. As the convoy made contact with a large Viet Cong force, Specialist Four Rhodes' vehicle received several hits which set it on fire and wounded several of the crew members. When the heat from the flames became too intense, the crew, with the exception of Specialist Four Rhodes, abandoned the vehicle. Seeing his comrades at the mercy of the Viet Cong, he stayed in the vehicle and moved it forward along the road to distract the hostile fire from them. He lost his life while climbing out of the burning vehicle. Specialist Four Rhodes' gallantry in action against a hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, General Orders No. 6791 (December 12, 1966)

Action Date: November 21, 1966

Service: Army

Rank: Specialist Fourth Class

Company: Troop C, 1st Squadron

Regiment: 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

Dear SP4 Jimmy Linwood Rhodes, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter