THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your high school classmate Ron Longmore is touching and reflects his admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Dear Cpl Douglas Rowe, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. 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.

On March 8, 1969, B Company 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) was searching for enemy infiltrating in large units from Cambodia towards Saigon west of the Vam Co Dong River in an area referred to as the “Angel’s Wing.” In the late afternoon, they were picked up by six Huey UH-1 helicopters and relocated to a large clearing near a known infiltration route close to the Cambodian border. After a short patrol, the company stopped to break for supper and rest. That evening, 1st and 2nd Platoon were sent out for ambush duty. After moving for about twenty minutes, the 27-strong 2nd Platoon set up in an uninhabited area of dry rice paddies and irrigation ditches. They put out Claymore mines and trip flares and assigned night watch duties. At approximately 10:00 PM, two North Vietnamese Army (NVA) soldiers approached their position. An illumination flare was ignited, and the enemy fled with no shots fired. Their position now known to the NVA, the platoon leader doubled watches for the rest of the night. At 12:37 AM, six approaching enemy soldiers were observed with a Starlight night scope. An artillery mission was requested and began firing three minutes later. The Americans opened up with unit weapons and took no casualties. At 3:16 AM, mortar rounds and rocket fire from a nearby wood line began falling on 2nd Platoon’s position. After suffering several killed and wounded, the men moved into the irrigation ditches where they observed lines of NVA moving to towards them. The enemy, estimated at 150-200, began to surround platoon, utilizing fire and maneuver tactics to get closer. Low on ammunition, the platoon fired only single, well-aimed shots. Air support came on station, providing some relief for the besieged platoon. By dawn, the contact slowed as the NVA withdrew with their dead back to Cambodia. Shortly after, 1st Platoon from A Company arrived and linked up without resistance. Six 2nd Platoon members were killed in the battle with sixteen wounded. The lost troopers included SP4 Leon Beard, CPL Michael P. O’Connor, PFC Steven C. Erbentraut, PFC Douglas N. Rowe, PFC David J. Horden, and PFC Donald L. Shirley. Enemy losses were placed at one hundred dead. The company was picked up by helicopters and returned to base camp where they were served a hot breakfast. O’Connor was posthumously promoted to Corporal. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Robert Michalik at penandsaber.com and Steve Pipes (July 2020)]

Corporal Douglas Noel Rowe, Served with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear CPL Douglas Noel Rowe, 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.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter