THE WALL OF FACES

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

FSB Pine Ridge was a 25th Infantry Division fire support base located on Nui Ong (Hill 284), approximately eight miles northeast of Dau Tieng in Binh Duong Province, RVN. Nui Ong was the highest peak (934 feet) in a nine-mile-long ridgeline running along the western edge of the Michelin Rubber Plantation. At 10:25 PM on April 26, 1970, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry at FSB Pine Ridge received twenty-five rounds of 82mm mortar fire, and ten to fifteen rocket-propelled grenade rounds from an unknown number of enemy. Immediately following the barrage, 10-15 enemy sappers breached the perimeter from the east and proceeded to detonate about twenty-five satchel charges and thirty hand grenades in hooches and bunkers throughout the firebase. The enemy force was engaged with unit weapons, artillery, helicopter gunships, U.S Air Force AC-119 Shadow and AC-47 gunships, and a flare ship. The infiltrators withdrew the same way they came in and contact was lost about 11:50 PM. Four U.S. soldiers were killed and thirteen wounded during the attack. The lost personnel included SSG Darreld E. Fisher, PFC Ronald E. Newman, PFC Robert L. Rogers, and SGT Jose G. Vazquez. Newman and Rogers were posthumously promoted to Corporal, and Vazquez was elevated to Staff Sergeant. Enemy losses were one killed. The rampaging enemy destroyed two line bunkers, one radio shack, one medic shack, one command post bunker, two artillery hooches, five sleeping hooches, and one generator shop with four generators. An artillery Fire Direction Center was lightly damaged. One AK-47 rifle and ten to fifteen satchel charges were evacuated. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, Period Ending 30 April 1970” at archive.org]

Dear Cpl Robert Rogers, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Agent Orange Awareness month. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear CPL Robert Lee Rogers, 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, Sir

Curt Carter

Thank you Corporal Rogers for your leadership and courage.