THE WALL OF FACES

There is a place
Not far from here
Where spirits walk
And heroes live
And honor still resides.

It is a wall
With names inscribed
Of those who served
When they were asked...
The brothers of my youth.

I go there still
To walk and think
About my life,
And what I've done since
And things that might have been.

There is a debt
I can't repay
Too many lives were spent.
And one man's life cannot suffice
To make their deaths worthwhile.

But there is hope
In the memory
Of those we leave behind
Who know the price that freedom brings
Who can carry on in kind.

I send you now
To touch a name
So the vision can be passed
Remember there is honor still
It is for you to see it lasts.

They are not dead
And have a wish
As all old soldiers do
The reflection you see before you now
Is their wish to live in you.

Khe Sanh Combat Base was a U.S. Marine Corps outpost south of the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Quang Tri Province, RVN. The base’s perimeter consisted of bunkers and trench lines that stretched roughly in an oblong circle surrounding a 3,500-foot runway. Several thousand yards from the perimeter, hills 881 South, 861, 861A and 558 figured prominently in the defense of the base. Approximately 6,000 Americans defended the base perimeter and the hill positions. In January 1968, the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) cut the overland supply route to Khe Sanh, leaving the base totally dependent on aerial resupply. At the same time, the NVA surrounded the base with upward of 20,000 battle-hardened soldiers, supported by heavy artillery, rockets and mortars. The 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, were airlifted to Khe Sanh the month before and assigned an approximately 3,000-yard-long slice of the northwest defense perimeter, known as the Red Sector. Company I and two platoons of Company M occupied Hill 881 South; two miles east, Company K and two platoons of Company A, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, held Hill 861; and 500 yards to the east, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines held Hill 861A. At 4:00 AM on February 5, 1968, the NVA attacked the Company E Marines on Hill 861A. A sapper unit armed with Chicom grenades (long-handled grenades modeled after those made by Chinese communists) and Bangalore torpedoes (metal tubing filled with explosives) preceded an infantry attack by approximately 200 troops. Companies I and K of the 3rd Battalion supported Company E with 81mm and 60mm mortar fire which helped disperse the enemy. Displeased with the help Company K was providing its fellow Marines on Hill 861A, at 4:30 AM the NVA fired several rocket-propelled grenade rounds at their position on Hill 861. Fragments form the projectiles killed one and wounded three others. The lost Marine was PFC William D. Selders. Back on Hill 861A, Company E forced the NVA into retreat using small arms, M79 fire, and aggressive hand-to-hand combat, and by 6:30 AM the enemy withdrew. Seven Marines were killed and twenty-four wounded. NVA losses were put at 109 killed. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, historynet.com, and virtualwall.org]

Dear PFC William Selders, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is another new year. Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Just visited the Vietnam wall in Murfreesboro,TN and saw all the boys from Cody. Lawrence Evert,Terry Fetzer, Terrance Larson, and Gary Bartz. I have many family members in Cody some of which also served. Cody was my second home growing up. All of you will always be remembered. A true veteran does not need to know you personally to have admiration. Matthew 5:9
Ron Dupuis, Sgt. 3rd Marines

Private First Class William Dean Selders, Served with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.