THE WALL OF FACES

Say not in grief he is no more, but live in thankfulness that he was.

Dear A2C Jerald Sumida, Thank you for your service with the 366th Combat Support Group. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart Flag Day is soon. 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.

I was stationed with Jerry at Hamilton AFB 1964-1966. He was a gentle soul, a great guy, and was my Best Man when I got married at Hamilton in 1966. One of my fondest memories is of Jerry strolling through the dorm at night, singing and playing his ukulele. Aloha my Brother, you are not forgotten.

Shortly after midnight on July 15, 1967, Da Nang Air Base in Quang Nam Province, RVN, came under a heavy rocket attack. The attack started at 12:25 AM and an estimated 50 rounds of 122mm rockets were fired at the installation. Nine USAF personnel were killed during the barrage and 128 others were wounded, 40 of them requiring hospitalization. Another 35 U.S. Army personnel on the base were also wounded. Counter-battery fire was initiated immediately, supported by AC-47 “Spooky” gunships. By 2:00 AM, artillery and air strikes were hitting possible enemy escape routes. The bombardment, which lasted approximately 30 minutes, started numerous fires and resulted in extensive structural damage to U.S. Navy, Marine and Air Force facilities. There was heavy damage to the bomb storage area and moderate damage to the airfield. In addition, eight aircraft were destroyed and 45 aircraft were damaged during the attack. The lost USAF personnel included A1C John S. Berg, A2C Charles F. Boss, A1C James F. Brooks, SSGT David A. Fasnacht, A2C Charles R. Humble, A1C Ronald F. Poole, A2C James H. Price, A2C Jerald K. Sumida, and A2C Charles D. Ward. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam Monthly Historical Summary, July 1967]