THE WALL OF FACES

In the summer of 1991, I was at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. I was a young man, still in high school. At the memorial, a table was set up with memorial bracelets along with sheets detailing each of the missing soldiers. I was there with a young woman that I was trying to impress and exclaimed excitedly when I saw a missing soldier from Michigan -- which is where I am from. The man who was organizing the effort looked down then looked up at me and said "That is my brother-in-law." I was immediately ashamed of making light of the effort to draw attention to the plight of issuing soldiers. I ended up donating to the effort and got the bracelet for SGT Robert C Borton Jr. Since I put the bracelet on that night, I have never once removed it. I can't count the number of times I have spoken with people about Vietnam and our missing soldiers, SGT Borton in particular. While I know his remains were theoretically returned to his family, his three companions have never been accounted for and questions remain regarding SGT Borton's fate. I am reminded of him and his sacrifice every day of my life.

PFC Robert L. Babula, PFC Robert C. Borton Jr., PFC John E. Bodenschatz Jr., and PFC Dennis R. Carter were members of 1st Platoon, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. On 28 August 1966, the four were assigned as a fire team ambush with instructions to establish an ambush site approximately 500 meters to the south of their platoon patrol base. This specific location is in Hoa Hai village within grid square BT 0667. The fire team departed at 3:00 a.m. on August 28, and were given instructions for use of the pyrotechnics they were carrying as signaling devices. They were further instructed to relocate in the same general area or return to their platoon patrol base in the event their ambush site was compromised, and finally to return no later than 9:00 a.m. that morning. When the fire team failed to return as scheduled, an immediate search of the area was conducted by Company K with negative results. During the period of August 29-31, the Battalion made a dovetailed search of the entire area covering all possible routes of egress in the event the team members had been captured. Indigenous personnel in the area were questioned, but no evidence was uncovered which gave any clues. Villagers were questioned and a search of the area continued. On September 4, Company K discovered part of an American wrist watch and PFC Bodenschatz' two identification tags in the vicinity of BT 061673. The search was intensified in that area, including the use of heavy engineer equipment in an effort to locate graves, but no further trace was found. On September 13, the Battalion cordoned off grid squares BT 0567, 0667, 0566, 0666 and all inhabitants were assembled, screened, and interrogated by an ARVN interrogation team from Hoa Vang District Headquarters. Three Viet Cong suspects were retained for further questioning, however, no additional information was obtained concerning the four Marines. The Battalion commander's final determination was that the four Marines were probably captured. In 1975, information was declassified that indicated that since the fire team's disappearance, Marine headquarters had received two reports sighting three to four Americans being displayed in villages south of the area in which the fire team disappeared. A Christmas card received by Company K/3/1 1st Marine Division, sent by Babula's mother and sister, stated that they had recently received news that Babula was a prisoner of war. None of the four, however, returned in the general prisoner release in 1973. [Taken from pownetwork.org]

Semper Fi, Sergeant.

Dear SGT Robert Curtis Borton Jr, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

See wiki http://unsolvedmysteries.wikia.com/wiki/Robert_Borton
Find A Grave memorial
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Borton&GSfn=Robert&GSby=1946&GSbyrel=in&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=15583983&df=all&