THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Silver Star citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow soldiers. May you rest in eternal peace.

A summary of the attack on Fire Support Base Thunder III from an article in "Danger Forward" (September 1, 1969), a publication of the 1st Infantry Division, Vietnam, at firstdivisionmuseum.nmtvault.com. SGT Jonathan R. Bortle is referred to as the "one man killed."

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

At two minutes after midnight on September 5, 1969, FSB Thunder III, a U.S. Army firebase located south of An Loc in Binh Long Province, RVN, was brought under attack by an enemy sapper force, the estimated strength of which was 100 men. By the use of rocket-propelled grenades, satchel charges, and grenades, a portion of the force was able to breach the perimeter. During the attack, Dusters 121 are 122, M42 40mm self-propelled anti-aircraft guns of Battery A, 5th Battalion, 2nd Artillery, fired a total of 180 rounds of ammunition and several hundred rounds of M60 machine gun ammunition. The Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army force suffered 15 killed inside the perimeter and at least 10 killed outside the perimeter. A/5/2 Arty suffered no casualties or damage, however, one U. S. infantryman, SGT Jonathan R. Bortle from A Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, was killed. SGT Bortle was posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal for valor during the defense of FSB Thunder III. The Dusters killed an estimated 10 VC/NVA. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and Operational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 5th Battalion, 2nd Artillery, Period Ending October 31, 1969]

DEAR SERGEANT BORTLE,
I HOPE YOUR PICTURE GETS PLACED HERE BECAUSE THIS WALL OF FACES NEEDS YOURS. THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN INFANTRYMAN. YOU DIED ON MY MOM'S BIRTHDAY, SAY HI TO HER, HER NAME IS ROSE. SUNDAY WAS THE 42ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE FALL OF SAIGON. I AM SO SORRY. IT HAS BEEN FAR TOO LONG FOR ALL OF YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE. YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS.