THE WALL OF FACES

Bullwinkle wehad a great squad you were a great guy the 9 of us
Grenade launcher always had a smile rip my friend
Sugar bear Dudley Andy bye de bye sterner gadget
? An hoa hill 52 hill 65 37 Arizona Lz Ross Lz baldy Lz Ryder Charlie ridge
Qua Sahn Mtns ??
Lima 3/5

LCPL Gary R. Boeck was a rifleman assigned to 3rd Platoon, L Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. On January 6, 1971, he was killed by fire from a concealed enemy position in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The following is an account of his death from his platoon commander Jeffrey Zorn (with some editing for clarity): December 1970 had been a busy month for 3rd Platoon, Lima, Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. We had participated in a number of near ambushes both in the Que Son Valley and Que Son Mountains. We spent Christmas in the mountains just below one of the tallest mountain peaks in the range and had been rotated back to Fire Support Base Ross for perimeter security. As usual, our platoon was chosen first to make the initial three-day patrol into the valley while the other two platoons went into the line. We had taken some sniper fire on the way out of FSB Ross, but that was not unusual. On the first night out, the 5th of January, we had our 5th successful near ambush in 30 days of the NVA coming down from the mountains into the lowlands looking for food. The next day, we split into three squads, with two on patrol and one providing perimeter security for the platoon command post. My best squad, led by a Samoan with LCPL Boeck (nicknamed “Bull Winkle”) as its M79 grenadier, was on patrol along the edge of a rice paddy running parallel to a wood line. As the patrol turned to head toward the wood line, they were ambushed by a group of NVA dug in among some old bunkers. The patrol had a booby-trap dog handler in the lead. The dog handler was wounded, the man behind him received a bullet up his sleeve, and the machine gunner caught a bullet in the helmet which stuck in his helmet and required 6 stitches in his head. Gary Boeck was fatally wounded along his side. From my command post I called in artillery, then an OV-10 aircraft for additional suppressive fire and cover, plus a medivac helicopter. During the firefight the squad leader placed himself between Gary and the enemy fire trying to protect him while picking up Gary's M79 and firing it into the tree line. A medivac chopper arrived on the scene shortly after and all the wounded men were taken away for medical attention. Gray Boeck was one of the most popular and well liked men in the platoon. He was also one of the finest Marines I ever severed with in my 13 year career. Although I was only three years older than Gary, I knew then I would be extremely proud to have had a son with his qualities. His passing was a great loss to each of us personally, as a friend and as a Marine. Semper Fi, my friend. You are not forgotten. (Narrative by Jeffrey Zorn, July 5, 2009) [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and thewall-usa.com]

Semper Fi Marine.

Dear LCPL Gary Raymond Boeck, 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

If I should die, and leave yopu here awhile, be nopt like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.