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.

One more year I come to remember that when I came into this world, you gave your life for what you believed was right and it was your duty.
My tribute to your sacrifice.
Thank you so much.
Andoni.

Operation Geneva Park was a security operation during the Vietnam War in Quang Ngai Province, RVN, from March 18, 1969 to February 28, 1971. The operation was conducted by the 198th Light Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division (Americal Division) in cooperation and coordination with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 6th Regiment. The mission was to secure major lines of communications and the destruction of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Vietcong (VC) units threatening Quang Ngai or the Chu Lai Base Area. Allied forces performed aggressive patrolling and sweep operations during Geneva Park. Mines and booby-traps were a significant threat and caused numerous casualties. For most of the duration of Geneva Park, the 1st and 5th Battalions of the 46th Infantry were assigned to the 23rd Infantry (Americal) Division. On July 30, 1970, C Company, 5-46th was receiving a resupply in a daytime defensive position on a hill five miles southwest of Tam Ky Airfield in Quang Tin Province, RVN, when a booby-trapped 155mm artillery was detonated. The blast killed four U.S. and wounded sixteen others. The lost personnel included SFC Donald E. Auten, PFC Jerold Franklin, SSG Dale E. Sathoff, and PFC Edward J. Whitton. Also killed was a Vietnamese Kit Carson Scout assisting the Americans and a Vietnamese interpreter. Three other Vietnamese interpreters were seriously wounded. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters, Americal Division, Period Ending 31 July 1970” at dtic.mil]

The years continue to roll by. My brothers that I served with remain forever young and in my heart and on my mind. Good times and conversations never forgotten. Someday we’ll talk in Heaven and share our stories. My brother Always.

One more year, I want to tell you that my search for your information has not ended, I am still looking for people who knew you, both on the battlefield and in your childhood and youth, you could not grow older like your comrades who survived the war, neither they nor I forget you. Rest in peace.
Andoni.