THE WALL OF FACES

Some may think you are forgotten
Though on earth you are no more
But in our memory you are with us
As you always were before….

On November 6, 1970, a reconnaissance team in the mountains northwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, RVN, called a fire mission on moving troops they believed were enemy combatants. Unbeknownst to the recon team, what they saw was a Marine patrol from Company I, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, occupying a night defensive position. Six high-explosive and four white phosphorous rounds impacted on the patrol’s position, killing two and wounding eleven. The lost personnel included SGT Meredith L. Barnett and LCPL Donald R. Soles. A third Marine, rifleman LCPL Victor M. De Walt died of his wounds four days later. Reportedly, the patrol's route into the reconnaissance team's area of operations had not been plotted at the Fire Support Coordination Center of the artillery battery, nor was it coordinated with the recon unit. Following the incident, Barnett was posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal. According to the medal citation, as the rounds came in, members of the patrol were unable to reach covered positions. Barnett rushed to the Marine nearest him and threw himself on top of the man seconds before a round detonated ten feet away. He was fatally wounded by the explosion but succeeded in protecting his companion. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, “U.S. Marines in Vietnam: Vietnamization and Redeployment 1970-1971” by Cosmas & Murray, and SGT Barnett’s Silver Star citation]

I served with Donald. I was there when he was killed

Dear Lcpl Donald Soles, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. 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.

Lance Corporal Donald Raymond Soles was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action. He served as a Rifleman and was assigned to I CO, 3RD BN, 1ST MARINES, 1ST MARDIV, III MAF.
See http://www.virtualwall.org/ds/SolesDR01a.htm