THE WALL OF FACES

Nor shall your glory be forgot; While fame her record keeps, Or honor points the hallowed spot; Where valor proudly sleeps.

Dear PFC William Smith, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. The 54th anniversary of the start of your tour is soon. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Spring , and 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.

51 YEARS HAVE PASSED. BEEN LOOKING FOR YOUR FAMILY. WAS WITH YOU ON THAT FATEFULL DAY. NEVER STOPPED THINKING OF YOU. HAVE YOUR SENIOR RING. FOUND YOUR FAMILY AND WISH TO RETURN IT.

Private First Class William Prosper Smith Jr., Served with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Operation Meade River was a US Marine Corps cordon and search operation that took place approximately eight miles southwest of Da Nang, Quang Nam Province, RVN, lasting from November 20 to December 9, 1968. On the first day of the operation, more than 75 helicopters of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing lifted 3,500 Marines into pre-designated zones in approximately two hours. One of the aircraft, a CH-46A (tail number 151938) from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM-265), was carrying members of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, when it went down on Route 4 just east of the railway bridge south of Da Nang after being hit by enemy fire. The crash killed pilots CPT William Emerson and 1LT John R. Harrell, and three Kilo infantrymen, CPT David W. Myers, LCPL Donald W. McBride, and PFC William P. Smith Jr. The crew chief and flight engineer on the flight were thrown clear in the crash, but were seriously injured. One suffered a critical head injury and the other a ruptured spleen. [Taken from popasmoke.com, wikipedia.org, and vhpa.org]