THE WALL OF FACES

SP4 Raymond Serna was a vehicle mechanic serving with B Company, 44th Signal Battalion, 160th Signal Group, 1st Signal Brigade, U.S. Army Republic of Vietnam. The 1st Signal Brigade was one of the largest brigade-sized units to serve in Vietnam, responsible for providing communications to the country’s 60,000 square miles of coastal, jungle, and mountain terrain. With approximately 12,000 personnel in early 1966, the brigade required a large fleet of vehicles which Serna used his mechanical training to keep up and running. On September 12, 1969, he was at a signal site on Quan Loi Airfield in Binh Long Province when a dispute with the Officer in Charge turned deadly. Serna reportedly threatened the lieutenant with a weapon, was disarmed, then retrieved an M16 rifle and returned to the scene. Firing indiscriminately, Serna wounded the officer. An NCO (Sergeant), coming to the aid of the lieutenant, fired on Serna, fatally wounding him in the left chest. Army investigators suspected alcohol and barbiturate intoxication were behind Sena’s irrational behavior. He was 21 years old. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Image courtesy of Redbird Research LLC, Saint Charles, MO.

I didn’t know you, but today I happened upon your grave here in Manzano, NM. Your grave is a beautiful memorial and it’s important to note you are not forgotten. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice, a debt that our nation can never repay you. Thank you.

Say not in grief he is no more, but live in thankfulness that he was.

Dear Sp4 Raymond Serna, Thank you for your service as a Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. 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.