THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

On December 31, 1967, C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division was conducting a routine tactical road march from Blackhorse Base Camp in Phuoc Tuy Province, RVN, thirty-six miles south to Vung Tau to conduct a road security mission. Two platoons of armored vehicles moved out at 3:00 AM on Highway QL-2 for a planned rendezvous with a convoy they were to escort back to Blackhorse. Each platoon consisted of a M48A3 Patton tank and M113 armored cavalry assault vehicles (ACAV’s) accompanied by command and maintenance vehicles. The tanks led the way, intermittently using driving lights and searchlights to illuminate and observe along the sides of the road. About five miles south of Blackhorse, as the last vehicle, a mortar carrier, leveled off over a slight rise on a straight section of QL-2, the tank at the front of the column was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), killing the driver and stopping the tank. An ambush was sprung along the entire length of the column as a hail of RPG’s quickly set afire the leading vehicles while intense small arms fire killed most of the men riding atop vehicles. The trailing mortar carrier was hit by a command detonated mine, exploding mortar ammunition and destroying the vehicle. The second tank was also hit by an RPG round, ran off the road, blew up, and burned. The surprise was so complete that no organized fire was returned. When individual vehicles attempted to return fire, the enemy concentrated fire on that one vehicle until it stopped firing. Within ten minutes, the fight was over. The results were devastating. At daybreak, the battered and burned hulks lay scatted along the road. Of eleven vehicles, four ACAV’s and one tank were destroyed, and three ACAV’s and one tank were severely damaged. The two platoons suffered forty-two casualties, including thirteen killed. They included PFC James A. Blankenship, SP4 Dickey Chamblee, SGT David L. Drought, SGT Joseph L. Farmer, PFC Henry M. Hale, PFC Patrick L. Hall (died of wounds 01/11/1968), SP4 Gary O. Hedin (died of wounds 01/10/1968) SP4 Cecil B. Jones Jr., PFC Moses J. Lewis (posthumously promoted to Corporal), PFC Ernest D. Marcum, PFC Robert E. Murphy Jr. (died of wounds 01/01/1968), PFC Jose Santana Jr. (posthumously promoted to Corporal), and PFC James E. Thompson. No enemy were reported killed or wounded. [Taken from virtual wall.org and “Mounted Combat in Vietnam” by Donn A. Starry]

Private First Class James Arlia Blankenship, Served with C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division.

I am the daughter of Major Leroy I. Blankenship, KIA 1 Apr 69. Family history says that all Blankenships in the United States are descended from one common ancestor who immigrated from England to Virginia as an indentured servant in the early 1600's. As such, all 15 men on the Wall with the surname Blankenship are distant cousins. If you knew James or are related to him, you are welcome to contact me.

DEAR PFC BLANKDENSHIP,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN ARMOR RECONNAISSANCE SPECIALIST. IT HAS BEEN FAR TOO LONG FOR ALL OF YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE. MANY OF US HAVE BEGUN OUR JOURNEY TO EASTER. AND YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS.