THE WALL OF FACES

Never forgotten.

Semper Fi, Marine

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

Dear Cpl Joseph Romero, Thank you for your service as a Radio Telegraph Operator. Hate that you passed the day after your birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Columbus Day Weekend. Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

This is his boot camp photo from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Platoon 2253. He earned the title “U.S. Marine” on January 13, 1967.

Thank you for your service to our great country my brother. Semper Fi.

Fire Support Base Cunningham was a U.S. Marine Corps firebase southwest of Dong Ha in central Vietnam. The base was constructed overlooking the Da Krong Valley, twenty-three miles southeast of Vandegrift Combat Base, and a half mile north of Route 922. It was named after Alfred A. Cunningham, the first Marine Corps aviator. Cunningham was established on January 25, 1969, by the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines in support of Operation Dewey Canyon, an operation to sweep the North Vietnamese Army–dominated A Shau and Song Da Krong Valleys. Over the next five days, the Regiment command post and five artillery batteries from 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines moved to Cunningham. On February 2nd, the North Vietnamese demonstrated their displeasure for the base by hitting it with 30-40 rounds of 122mm artillery fire. Four Marines were killed in the barrage. They included PFC Raymond N. Rivera, CPL Joseph Romero, PFC Dennis W. Schonberg, and PFC Dale W. Schwefel. Beginning March 10th, the Marine units started withdrawing back to Vandegrift, and by March 18th, Cunningham was closed. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and wikipedia.org]