THE WALL OF FACES

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

Dear Sp5 Patrick Rice, Thank you for your service as a Food Service Specialist. 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.

From the stories I got to hear the older I got, you were such a great friend to my father, Francisco Cordero. He still speaks on the way you used to tell jokes and good of a person you were.

Today we visited the replica here in WNY of the "The Wall that Heals, Vietnam War Memorial". My father, every time he gets to visit the wall, your name and Mr. Kenneth E. Lockhart, are the first two he searches for.

Thank you for being the person you were and for giving your life in service for us. Thank you for being a friend to my father, and just know you will never be forgotten with our family. We will honor your name as well as the others every time we can. May God bless your family, for the generations to come.

On October 6th, 2002 my father tried searching your name on another site, but didn't find you. Never the less, he didn't forget to mention your name nor his experience, when he got to visit the wall that year.
This is part of what he wrote on Kenneth obituary: "When I asked someone about you two, someone told me what had transpired and I lost it. I already had lost my hearing and voice, but I cried for hours. It was a pain that was unbearable, it lasted for years until I was able to see your name and Patrick’s name on the Wall. I now it is a matter of time before we see each other. I hope you will remember me too.
Godspeed to you, brothers,
Francisco Cordero-Rivera"

Until this day, he cries remembering that night & the memories of you both. You will always be important in our lives Mr. Rice.

Thank you for your service Sir.

At approximately 1:00 AM on May 18, 1969, elements of the U.S. Army 54th Artillery Group at Husky Compound, a defensive position one mile east of Xuan Loc, Long Khanh Province, RVN, came under a ground assault by an unknown-size enemy force firing AK-47’s, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, and tossing satchel charges. The attack was preceded by a mortar barrage. The enemy, later identified as part of the North Vietnamese Army’s 5th Division, penetrated a portion of the 54th’s perimeter but were driven out by the artillerymen. The artillery troops defended their position against the assaulting enemy with their own rifle and automatic weapons fire and the use of their artillery cannons, lowered for point-blank for delivery at close range. Helicopter gunships responded to the fight, and tactical air support along with AC-47 gunship cover was provided. As the action continued, an element of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in tanks and armored personnel carriers moved to the area and engaged the enemy force. Fighting continued until approximately 6:00 AM when the enemy disengaged. Later policing of the battlefield revealed 24 enemy dead, some of whom were killed on the perimeter barbed wire. U.S. casualties were 14 killed and 39 wounded. The lost Americans included SP5 Larry J. Budde, CPT Allen R. Culpepper, PFC Henry F. Evans, SP5 Robert L. Freeman, CPL Larry L. Holmes, SP5 John J. Laskowski, SSG Kenneth E. Lockhart, CPL Gary D. McCray, PFC Ronnie E. Parker, SP5 Patrick L. Rice, CPT Norman P. Singer, SGT Dana M. Sykes, and SP4 Garry L. Uplinger. One U.S. Naval personnel, CE2 Philip L. Grieser from Seabee Team 1013, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 10 (NMCB-10), was killed by shrapnel. CPT Singer, a battalion surgeon, was killed by an incoming enemy mortar round while rendering first aid to personnel who were in a perimeter gun pit. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and Operational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 5th Battalion, 2nd Artillery, Period Ending October 31, 1969]

Specialist Five Patrick L. Rice, Served with Battery C, 7th Battalion, 9th Artillery Regiment, 54th Artillery Group, Second Field Force, United States Army Vietnam.