THE WALL OF FACES

FSB Spear was 101st Airborne Division forward fire support base located 31 kilometers (19.2 miles) southwest of Hue in Thua Thien Province, RVN. On March 8, 1969, Spear was attacked by elements of the Chi Thua I or II Sapper Battalion, 5th North Vietnamese Army Regiment. At the same time, an outpost just south of the base was attacked. B Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment was manning the positions at the time they were assaulted. The paratroopers defended themselves with small arms, mortar, and supporting arms. The enemy assault killed eleven Americans, five at the southern outpost, and six at Spear. Three others were wounded. The lost personnel included PFC Alfred E. Alvey Jr., PFC Robert E. Grant, SP4 Earl T. Hoag, PFC Roger H. Howes, PFC Matthew E. Morton Jr., SP4 John L. Motley Jr., PFC James M. Norman, PFC Roger W. Smelser, PFC David E. Theobald, SP4 Leon Tisdale, and SP4 Jack E. Williams. Alvey, Grant, and Howes were posthumously promoted to Corporal. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters, XXIV Corps, Period Ending 30 April 1969” at 2ndbde.org/archives]

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotions and spends himself in a great worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end triumph of high achievement and, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while caring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold, timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. Theodore Roosevelt

I thank you for service and bravery, for you sacrifice and honor displayed in the Thou Thien Hue Province (Vietnam War). We have a school that demonstrates the honor and respect that you and people like you showed. I got to see your name on the traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial. I live in Texas and have even more respect for the area that you grew up in. That area has raised many great heroes that have fought in the Vietnam War. Again, I thank you for your service. Sincerely Elijah G.

Dear PFC Roger Smelser, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Your 53rd anniversary was yesterday, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Winter will end soon, and Lent has begun. Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

I heard that you had gone but you were cut short within two months. I often think of you and your sacrifice. RIP in peace bull rider.