THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Mameluke Thrust (May 19 - October 23, 1968) was a 1st Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force (III MAF) search and destroy mission into Happy Valley southwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The objective of Mameluke Thrust was spoiling attacks against North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong base areas to preempt any planned offensive against Allied complexes in the Da Nang area. Attached to III MAF were nearly 3,000 Marines of the Seventh Fleet's two special landing forces (SLFs). Each consisted of a Marine battalion landing team reinforced by supporting elements including a helicopter squadron. On September 19th, Company F and G, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines from the SLF, were conducting a reconnaissance in force when F Company, the lead element, made contact with an unknown-size enemy force near La Hoa on the Thu Bon River, eight kilometers (4.8 miles) east of the Dai Loc-Ai Nghia Bridge. During engagements beginning at 9:00 AM, the enemy fired small arms, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, and 60mm mortars at the Marines who responded with unit weapons and supporting arms consisting of artillery, airstrikes, and UH-1E helicopter gunships. Initial attempts to neutralize the fortified enemy positions resulted in numerous casualties when heavy automatic weapons and accurate sniper fire pinned down elements of F Company. Several Marines were cited for bravery during the fighting. At 8:00 PM, the companies broke contact and moved into night defensive positions. For the day, the Marines counted four dead North Vietnamese Army soldiers and one AK-47 rifle captured against 16 U.S. dead and 54 wounded requiring evacuation; another 21 nonbattle casualties were also evacuated. The lost personnel included (from E/2/7) CPL Joseph P. Lopez (posthumously awarded the Silver Star); (from F/2/7) CPL Thomas J. Cavanaugh (posthumously awarded the Navy Cross), PFC Michael A. Figueroa, PFC James D. Kelley, LCPL Mark A. Knollmeyer, LCPL John L. Krol, PFC Peter D. Matarazzo, PFC Terrence Moran, PFC Gary E. Noles, PVT Francis S. Rhoades, LCPL Roy W. Rich, LCPL Pedro S. Rodriquez Jr., CPL Edgar A. Smith, PFC Mark L. Triplett, and LCPL Philip J. Wajda (posthumously awarded the Silver Star); and (from H&S/2/7) SGT Raymond T. Conway. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, “1st Marine Division (Rein) Command Chronology for September 1968” at ttu.edu, and “U.S. Marines in Vietnam: The Defining Year, 1968” by Shulimson, Blasiol, Smith, and Dawson]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your sister Linda is moving and reflects her enduring love for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Never forgotten.

Semper Fi, Marine

Dear Lcpl Pedro Rodriquez, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Your 53rd anniversary just passed, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Autumn. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Your son grew up to be a wonderful and hard working man. You would be proud of him.