THE WALL OF FACES

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]

Corporal Joseph Romero, U.S. Marine (Radio Operator) served at Firebase Cunningham in the A Shau Valley, Quang Tri, South Vietnam and was assigned to a 107MM Mortar Btry/1st Bn/11th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

He was a U.S. Marine comrade in arms, with a forgiving soul, and a classmate at Denver Manual High School, Class of 1965, 'Thunderbolts'.
'Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.' – Aeschylus… Turn, turn, turn.

The earth sits in silence yet again on present day’s night, for an ancient hymn to begin again, not wishing for drums of war. Because wars echo still reverberates like the long ago muffled drumbeats of sobbing hearts. The earth still holds them purposefully tonight, refusing to let go such venerated things, while your resting space became engraved profoundly. 'I also do identify with why men who have been to war yearn to reunite. Not to tell stories or to look at old pictures. Not to laugh or weep. Comrades gather because they long to be with the men who once acted at their best, who endured and sacrificed, who were stripped of their humanity.

I did not pick these men. They were delivered by destiny and the military. But I know them in a way I know no other men. I have in no way given everyone such fidelity. They were willing to guard something more precious than my life. They would have carried my mark of respect, the memory of me. It was part of the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another. As long as I have my story of my life I will think of them all, every day. I am in no doubt that when I leave this foxhole, my eleventh-hour reflection will be of my family and those comrades in arms.

‘Such Steadfast Men they Keep the Faith these noteworthy Shipmates’

Phil Garcia - A Para Marine with silk parachutes – Semper Fi

Dear CPL Joseph Romero, 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

My name is Perry Newton and I grew up a few blocks from Joseph - we used to play sandlot baseball together. Joseph was very gifted. We were in 1st or 2nd grade and sat together at a table for an art assignment - we were to draw each other. I am no artist, my drawing was a stick figure. Joseph was an artist, natural born, his drawing was my portrait and it looked like a photograph... I wish I still had that picture. I have thought many times about Joseph since I learned he was killed in action in VietNam - I learned it while I too was serving during VietNam - however, I was on the U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61) on Yankee Station - far from the battle front that Joseph faced. I remember that on my 21st birthday, I signed a 500 lb bomb, "Happy 21st Birthday Viet Cong" which was loaded on one of the F-4J fighter jets I supported that was ready to launch. My birthday was 17 days after Joseph's and at the time I had no way of knowing that he was already dead. I have always wondered where and how he died and why there are so many names on the wall around the time period 01/28/69 to 02/02/69 - the day that Joseph was killed - the day after his 21st birthday. I know that Joseph's parents were in their forties (as were mine and many others post WWII baby boomers) and have wondered many times what became of them and his sisters and how his death affected them. Joseph was catholic, hispanic and his parents removed him from Denver Public Schools when we reached 7th grade and he was enrolled in a local Catholic School - I never saw him again. I do wish a family member would post a picture of Joseph.