THE WALL OF FACES

Dear HM3 John Anthony Sorrenti, sir,

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for the ultimate sacrifice that you 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. And please know that men and women like you have stepped forward to defend our country yet again, showing the same love for country and their fellow Americans that you did- you would be proud.

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

Curt Carter

Thank you for your service to our Country and to your Marines.

Rest in Peace "Doc"



"I'm the One Called "Doc…"


I shall not walk in your footsteps,
but I will walk by your side.
I shall not walk in your image,
I've earned my own title of pride.
We've answered the call together,
on sea and foreign land.
When the cry for help was given,
I've been there right at hand.
Whether I am on the ocean
or in the jungle wearing greens,
Giving aid to my fellow man,
be it Sailors or Marines.
So the next time you see a corpsman
and you think of calling him "squid",
Think of the job he's doing
as those before him did.
And if you ever have to go out there
and your life is on the block,
Look at the one right next to you…
I'm the one called "Doc".


Harry D. Penny, Jr. HMC(AC)USN
Copyright 1975

"Permission to reprint granted
by the author/copyright owner".
(Permission for both poem & graphic)

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you John Anthony Sorrenti, for your courageous and valiant service, faithful contribution, and most holy sacrifice given to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!

Again, thank you Doc Sorrenti, for a job well done!

FAIR WINDS, AND ETERNAL PEACE MY FRIEND

4 March 1969

It's like it was yesterday a day that I haven't forgotten and never will.

When I arrived at Mike Company 3/26 in December of 69 I was assigned to 3rd platoon. The first person I met was a Navy Corpsmen named Jack Sorrenti. We laughed at how green we were and how we were too old at 19. Only later did I find out that he arrived in country about a month before me. I met a friend that day for life.

When I was wounded on 26 January 69 Jack was there and we laughed again on getting wounded and not ducking down. I was sent back to a hospital ship to recover and return at a later date. While back on the ship I ran into Jack again we talked about the war, going home and laughed at life and other things. I told him I would return in March and asked if I could bring anything with me. He thought and asked for mail and hot food for the platoon. When I returned on March 3rd along with me came mail and hot food. We laughed again he knew the mail would be no problem but the hot food. Little did I know this would be our last laugh together.

I knew where you came from but not much more. Seems like that's how they wanted it.

It's taken me a long time to find out more about you. Jack you're a credit to your family and the Navy. We lost a lot of great people over there and I think about them all the time.

You're gone but not forgotten and I hope some day to laugh with you again.

Semper Fi:

Glenn Bauer
Mike 3/26
3rd Plt