THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. While all deaths in Vietnam are tragic that you died just four days before your 20th birthday is especially so. May you rest in eternal peace.

You are remembered, Joel

Dear PFC Joel Roper, Thank you for your service as a Tactical Wire Operations Specialist. Tomorrow is your 74th birthday, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Today is actually the day Columbus had reached the New World. Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Operation Wheeler was launched on September 11, 1967, under the control of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. The operation was characterized by battalion size combat assaults of the high ground west of Tam Ky in Quang Nam province. These combat assaults were followed by search and destroy operations to find and destroy enemy forces, base camps, and fortifications. On October 9, 1967, 2nd Platoon from A Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, the "Cacti Green," was sent out to assault a hill. PFC Joel E. Roper was part of one of the assaulting platoons. After engaging a large number of NVA and VC, his platoon backed down the hill and were reassessing their situation when PFC Roper was fatally shot in the chest after taking a drag off a companion’s cigarette. He died instantly. [From cacti35th.org and wikipedia.com]

Operation Wheeler was launched on September 11, 1967, under the control of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. The operation was characterized by battalion size combat assaults of the high ground west of Tam Ky in Quang Nam province. These combat assaults were followed by search and destroy operations to find and destroy enemy forces, base camps, and fortifications. On October 9, 1967, 2nd Platoon from A Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, the "Cacti Green," was sent out to assault a hill. PFC Joel E. Roper was part of one the assaulting platoons. After engaging a large number of NVA and VC, his platoon backed down the hill and were reassessing their situation when PFC Roper was fatally shot in the chest after taking a drag off a companion’s cigarette. He died instantly. [From cacti35th.org and wikipedia.com]