THE WALL OF FACES

Fifty years ago today, November 17, 1970, we were awakened at Bien Hoa AB at 05:18 hours by 28 incoming 122mm rockets. An unusually large rocket attack, especially for us REMFs inside the wire. Killed were 5 and 34 were wounded. The attack made The NY Times the following day: “ROCKETS STRIKE BIENHOA AIR BASE NORTHEAST OF SAIGON”
Several of the rockets landed in our Army/USAF housing compound killing 3 and wounding 23, most were struck while bottlenecked waiting to get into a single entrance bunker. A direct hit landed in the midst of them. This bunker was to the right of my barracks and I fortunately ran into the bunker on the left of my barracks.
That’s at least 26 Purple Hearts in just a few minutes. Of the three killed, Ken Adkins, Joe Carter and Dennis Stecker, one was Army and two were USAF. One of the Airman was African American. All were E-4s, 21 years old, and graduated H.S. in 1967.
I also graduated H.S. in 1967, I stayed two barracks from the impact area, was 20 years old, E-4, USAF, Mission Controller, Rocket Alley Airlift Element, 834th Air Division. It was my 122th day in-country.

I was with HHC, 1st Cav Div down the road. That was a scary night and next day. My section sergeant, SFC David Bey, took me and a couple other guys with him into the hit area. I remember how sad I felt and have always wondered who died that morning. The latrine was hit by at least one rocket and the enamel from the fixtures was scattered all around. SP4 Curtis Sprinkle and SP4 Kenney Smith were also with us. May Dennis rest in peace or thrive in the Afterlife. A lifetime ago yet remembered as if it were only yesterday.

Dennis worked on my helicopter "Thunderbird410". He lived in the same barracks as I.
He was the first floor, I was on the second floor. I guess it's true, "Only the good die young."

I was there from 2/1970 til 2/ of 1971 this attack took place within Less than 5 feet from my normal bunker.due to short notice and the intense explosions near our exit door, I was saved by staying inside . Later I noticed that the bunker entrance was wired shut. Thank the lord I stayed put inside. I wish I could of helped.sorry

Before dawn on November 17, 1970, Viet Cong forces launched approximately a dozen 122-millimeter mortars at a barracks facility at Bien Hoa Air Base, one of the major U.S. air facilities in South Vietnam. Though the attack was launched from outside the base’s perimeter and intended as just a harassing strike, the large caliber mortar explosions killed five people, including three U.S. servicemen, and wounded 34 others. The Military Assistance Command later described this attack as minor and casualties as light. But it did kill five people, including three Americans who served at Bien Hoa. Air Force Sergeant Joseph Carter Jr. was in his bunk when the shells hit. Carter was killed instantly. Another man in his unit in an adjacent room, Air Force Sergeant Kenneth D. Adkins was also killed. He and Carter served together in the 22nd Tactical Air Support Squadron, 504th Tactical Air Support Group, 7th Air Force. The third American killed was Army Specialist 4 Dennis E. Stecker from the 118th Aviation Company, 145th Aviation Battalion. [Taken from vietnamwar50th.com]