THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. We should be forever thankful for the sacrifices of you and so many others to ensure the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Never forgotten.

Semper Fi, Marine

During February 1967, Company B, 3rd Antitank Battalion, 3rd Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Forces (FMF) operated in support of the 4th Marine Regiment providing direct support to Marine infantry including direct and indirect fire support, Harassment and Interdiction (H&I) fire, and command post security. The Company also furnished engineer road sweep security and convoy escort. Company B’s main battle vehicle was the M50A1 Ontos, a light armored tracked anti-tank vehicle mounted with six 106mm manually loaded M40 recoilless rifles. On February 12th, B Company’s 1st and 2nd platoons and Company Command group were proceeding in convoy to a blocking position in support of a search and destroy operation to be conducted by I and M Companies, 3/26 Marines. At 9:00 AM, at a point approximately ten kilometers (6.0 miles) southeast of Phong Dien in Thua Thien Province, RVN, the lead vehicle with the Company Commander, 2nd Platoon Commander, four Ontos crewman, and one infantryman struck a land mine believed to be a 250-lb. bomb detonated by one or more 155mrn rounds. The blast killed all personnel aboard and completely destroyed the Ontos. The lost Marines included SGT Morris E. Burns, CPL Allen L. Butler, CAPT Steve L. Camby, 1LT Donald J. Egan Jr., PFC Roger L. Niemi, PFC Bernardino Santiago-Vazquez, and LCPL Casimir S. Sylwanowicz. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Command Chronology (3d Antitank Bn), February 1967” at ttu.edu]

Dear PFC Bernardino Santiago-Vazquez, Thank you for your service as an ONTOS Crewman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Advent. Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers