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.

SGT Larry E. Smith was a Construction Engineering Supervisor serving with C Company, 69th Engineer Battalion, 34th Engineer Group, 20th Engineer Brigade, U.S. Army Republic of Vietnam Engineer Command. Beginning 1970, the U.S. Army commenced its fighting withdrawal from Southeast Asia. By early 1971, the 20th Engineer Command was well into its drawdown of personnel and equipment. Large quantities of construction equipment and materials were returned to depots in the United States and overseas or transferred to the South Vietnamese. In IV Corps, the 34th Group’s four battalions (35th Combat and the 36th, 69th, and 93rd Construction) supported the remaining U.S. combat units in the Mekong Delta region while completing planned highway construction projects. On February 16, 1971, Smith was critically injured after reportedly being struck by a truck four miles south of Can Tho city in Phong Dinh Province, RVN. Injuries to his right leg resulted in the amputation of the limb, and he sustained severe lacerations of the face. He was being treated in a U.S. military field hospital when he expired February 28, 1971, while plans were under way to medically evacuate him to the United States. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Engineers at War” by Adrian G. Traas; obituary (publication and date unknown) courtesy of Tyler Moll, Wayne Historical Museum, Wayne, MI]

Publication and date unknown. Courtesy of Tyler Moll, Wayne Historical Museum, Wayne, MI.

Dear Sgt Larry Smith, Thank you for your service as a Construction Engineering Supervisor. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Spring has begun, and it's Lent. Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Sergeant Larry Ellsworth Smith, Served with Company C, 69th Engineer Battalion, 34th Engineer Group, 20th Engineer Brigade, United States Army Vietnam Engineer Command.