THE WALL OF FACES

Dear SSgt James Stride, Thank you for your service as a Special Forces Qualified Infantryman. You are still MIA. Please come home. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Tomorrow is Memorial Day, and we honor you. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Be at peace.

Never forget.

HOOAH

According to his S.O.G team mates who were interviewed (Heroes Under Fire; episode
"Jungle Ambush", original air date 11/11/2005. SSGT. James D. Stride jr remains were recovered in 1997.
Thank you SSGT. Stride jr for the supreme sacrifice on behalf of the people of this great nation. From a Coast Guard vet.

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

SSGT James D. Stride was assigned to Command and Control North, MACV-SOG in Vietnam. On October 5, 1968, Stride was the team leader, SP4 Steven D. Engelke, assistant platoon leader, SP4 Lynn M. Black, Jr., radio operator on a reconnaissance patrol in Saravane Province, Laos near the border of South Vietnam, and just about 10 miles south of A Shau. The platoon, in addition to its Special Forces members, consisted of an unspecified number of indigenous personnel. Upon the team's insertion into Laos, the team made contact with enemy forces. SSGT Stride ordered the team off the landing zone in order to break contact and to continue the mission. A hundred yards from the LZ, the team was ambushed. In the initial burst of fire, Stride was mortally wounded. The team recovered the body and formed a perimeter. Two hours later, the team was forced to exfiltrate, but Stride's body was left behind. Because the area was hostile, it was not possible to return for Stride. [Taken from pownetwork.org]