THE WALL OF FACES

SP4 Francis C. Aki Jr. was a Power Generation Equipment operator and mechanic serving with A Company, 15th Transportation Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. On November 15, 1968, SP4 Aki was in his company’s area in Tay Ninh Province, RVN, when he was fatally electrocuted, suffering cardiac arrest after he touched a high voltage line while putting up electrical wiring. He was posthumously promoted to Sergeant. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

DEAR SGT. AKI, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A POWER GENERATION EQUIPMENT OPERATOR/MECHANIC. REST IN PEACE.

Dear SGT Francis Clayburn Aki Jr, 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

He maka lehua no kona one hanau

One who has the face of a warrior (loyal and honored) in his place of birth.

(From the Hawaii Vietnam Veterans Memorial)

Aloha oe

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you , one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:
Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul....and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From all your "Band of Nam Brothers"