THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Toan Thang IV ("Complete Victory") [November 1, 1969 - May 1, 1970] was a U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) operation designed to keep pressure on Viet Cong (VC) and North Vietnam Army forces in Military Region III. The operation sought to established South Vietnamese governmental control in the areas surrounding the capital of Saigon following the Tet Offensive of 1968. Allied initiatives brought the fighting to the enemy wherever intelligence reports indicated his presence. During the third week of April 1970, the First Brigade, 25th Infantry Division’s area of responsibility saw a rise in enemy-initiated contacts. The most significant occurred a little before 1:00 PM on April 19th approximately six kilometers west of Ben Luc when airborne units of Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry with an attached Aero Rifle Platoon reacting to an intelligence target received small arms ground fire from an unknown number of enemy. Companies A and D, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, were mobilized and inserted two hours later, engaging the same hostile force with support from aerial units and artillery, killing fourteen enemy combatants. Enemy fire took the life of one U.S. soldier, infantryman SSG Jon C Sapp from A-2/60th, and wounded three others and a Kit Carson scout embedded with the Americans. Sapp was posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal for gallantry. Three AK-47 rifles, two transistor radios, two ponchos and assorted documents were captured and evacuated. The U.S. ground units then destroyed the enemy’s defensive positions and other materials including 25 bunkers, 50 lbs. of rice, 20 ChiCom hand grenades, one stove, and medical supplies. Two destroyed enemy sampans were located during the operation. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report – Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, Period Ending 30 April 1970” at archive.org]

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.

Dear SSgt Jon Sapp, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. 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.

Staff Sergeant Jon Charles Sapp was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action. He served as an Infantryman and was assigned to A CO, 2ND BN, 60TH INFANTRY, 9TH INF DIV.
See http://www.virtualwall.org/ds/SappJC01a.htm

Dear SSGT Jon Charles Sapp, 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