THE WALL OF FACES

On the morning of March 2, 1968, the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division “Manchus” were preparing for a ground assault on an area of previous contact when Charlie Company was ambushed by an estimated reinforced Viet Cong company at a bridge on Route 248 by the Quoi Xuah hamlet close to Hoc Mon village, fourteen kilometers (8.4 miles) northwest of Saigon in Gia Dinh Province, RVN. The ninety-two members of Charlie Company were rushing along the road without flank security to catch up with the rest of the battalion when they ran into the ambush. Within eight minutes, forty-nine Americans were dead or dying and twenty-eight others wounded. The enemy force, concealed in prepared positions, employed small arms, automatic weapons, and Claymore mines. Gunships, artillery, and air strikes supported the Manchus but sniper fire by rear guard elements prevented Alpha, Bravo, and Delta companies from reinforcing the besieged Charlie Company for much of the day. The lost U.S. personnel included (C-4/9 Manchus) PFC Jose L. Alvarez-Tapia, PFC Gerald L. Avery, SP4 Charles E. Bonds, PFC Harlan R. Brandts, SGT Jerry W. Byers, SP4 William B. Cawley Jr., SP4 Alvin L. Cayson, SP4 Nicholas J. Cutinha (posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor), SP4 Bruce Eliot Jr., PFC Gary V. Frazier, PFC Michael D. Frost, PFC Raymond L. Gallagher, SP4 Cal D. Johnson, PFC Lawrence Johnson, PFC Jack J. Jordan Jr., SGT Lee R. Lanier, SSG Charlie F. Lee, PFC James R. Mathis, PFC Robert J. McGee, PFC Charles E. Melott, PFC Leonard D. Moore, SP4 Thomas L. Mork, 2LT James F. O'Laughlin, PFC Kenneth L. Oldham (died of wounds 03/03/1968), PFC Roy D. Page, SP4 William Rassano, PFC Jose A. Reyes, PFC Michael R. Rivers, PFC Ronald L. Salvani, SGT Willard Skaggs Jr., PFC Clifford G. Stockton, CPL Danny G. Swazick, SP4 Warren L. Tall, SP4 John M. Thompson, SP4 Carrel J. Titsworth, SGT Walter C. Velvet Jr., PFC Larry H. Walden, SP4 Gary W. Watkins, PFC Darrell E. Wheeler, SP4 Virgil L. Williams, SP4 Danny S. Young, and PFC Willard F. Young; (HHC-4/9) medics SP5 Ronald A. Slane, PFC Paul E. West, and PFC Joseph J. Williams; (K Trp, 3rd Sqdn, 11th Armored Cavalry) SP4 Barry L. Moyer; (A Btry, 7th Bn, 11th Arty) SGT Kenneth W. Winget; and (A Co, 65th Engineers) PFC Larry A. Widener and PFC Aristides Sosa (posthumously promoted to Corporal and awarded the DSC). Enemy losses were put at twenty dead. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and manchu.org]

Read a posting on the Manchu.org Guest Book 2/23/23 from Hannah Samuel, (email Hannah Jesse) Emailed 2/25/23 but haven’t heard back. Would like to connect Chucks family with his 4/9 Manchu Family. They have a private FB page that I can help get you connected. Please email me at: [email protected] or call me 573-642-5250, FB Rita Russell Adams. The Manchu’s have an annual reunion the 3rd week/weekend of Sept. The 2023 is in Branson, MO. Manchu Larry James wrote a book “Unfortunate Sons-A True Story of Men and War about the ambush at Hoc Mon 3/2/68 that sadly the Manchu’s lost I think 48 men & many wounded. Larry was a journalist by profession so it’s well researched, even went back to Vietnam to the area. Hope your family can come to a reunion, we remember the fallen & would be honored to meet you. My husband Stan was a Manchu, B Co. Nov, 68-Nov. 69.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir, The remembrance from Fontini King is especially poignant. May you rest in eternal peace.

As your 72nd birthday approaches, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Forever 18.

HOOAH

Thank you Charles for paying the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Although i can never feel the kind of pain Granny, Dad and all of your family felt when you gave your life for our freedom that sacrifice and Dads service to our country was the biggest reason I also served in the US Army. Being a soldier is all i ever wanted to do growing up and you were a huge part of that. Thank you forever for being my childhood Hero. Dawayne Edward Bonds Sgt. 10th SFG (A)