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.

I worked at the Public Works Dept. in Pawtucket RI for many years (37)...somedays after lunch, I would go for a walk through Oak Grove Cemetery located right behind our building...it is a peaceful place located in a city that has seen better days...along the road near the Industrial Highway, I found the head stone for Sgt. Sterling...It looks like he is interred right next to his father...I would always stop to wonder who this young man was and say a little prayer for him and his Dad...Recently, I came across this website and there is the face of the kid who I wondered about for all those years...it says he was from Warwick but buried in Pawtucket...I would be interested to know the connection...Anyway, I want to Thank You young man for giving the ultimate sacrifice for your country and the entire state of Rhode Island is proud of your service...I was 3 years old when you lost your life, so I hope you don't mind that I call you kid...Thanks again kid!!! I won't ever forget you...

Dear Sp4 Robert Sterling, Thank you for your service as Infantry, I researched you on your 76th birthday, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. The 47th anniversary of the official end of the war just passed. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

SP4 Robert J. Sterling was an infantryman serving with B Company, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. In the early morning of April 25, 1967, SP4 Sterling was laagered with armored cavalry unit, call sign Hawkeye, in a night defensive position three miles south of Ben Luc in Long An Province, RVN. A little before 3:00 AM, the track he was on was hit by an enemy 57mm recoilless rifle round. The Americans were also received rifle grenades and automatic weapons fire. Four personnel were wounded in the attack, suffering a variety of injuries. Sterling was hit in the head by fragments from the recoilless rifle round. An urgent medivac was requested for the critically wounded. Artillery and gunship cover was also requested. Sterling was taken to the 24th Evacuation Hospital in Long Binh where he expired several hours later. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]