THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from your children Kimberli and Joe are moving and reflect their eternal love for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Dear Fsgt Joseph Rounseville, Thank you for your service as an Airborne Qualified Infantry Senior Sergeant. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Another Halloween is soon Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

I served with 1st Sgt Rounseville at Ft. Campbell KY and in Vietnam with A Company 1/502 Inf 101st Airborne Division. I remember him as a tough guy who could be fair and a man despite his rank not afraid to admit he'd made a mistake if the occasion called for it. I would describe him as one of the troops ( a favorite term of his) with some extra stripes.

On 2/8/1968 we found ourselves operating in an area just outside of Hue called the Sand Dunes. This was during the height of the Tet Offensive and the Monsoon season, a cold, dark, wet, foreboding and dangerous landscape as ever existed. We had taken many casualties since our arrival in country and a decision was made (I believe at Battalion level) to remove all E-8, 1st Sergeants from the field and replace them E-7, acting 1st Sergeants. Rounseville an E-8 was instructed to leave the field by chopper the evening of the 8th. I heard him discussing this with SSgt Caron while I was standing in the chow line that evening. As best I can remember he said, " I don't feel right about this, I'm going to stay out here with the troops one more night and make sure their alright!"

In the early morning hours of 2/9 enemy sappers infiltrated our night defensive perimeter with explosive charges, killing ten of our people and wounding 19 more. !st Sgt Rounseville did not survive another day to look after the troops but he died trying. God Bless his memory.

Dear FSGT Joseph Wilfre Rounseville, 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

FSGT Joseph W Rounseville is buried at Marietta Nat Cem. he served with A company,1 Bn, 502 INF, 101 ABN DIV.