THE WALL OF FACES

John and I went thru boot camp together June-August 1966

Great sadness fills our hearts today
As pipes and drums, in slow march play.
A comrade’s fallen by the way,
And now we say goodbye.

This hero to the very end
Was more than just a casual friend,
Who would a stranger’s life defend,
And now we say goodbye

But we shall cherish, all our days,
The character this life portrayed
With sacrifice so freely made,
And now we say goodbye.

The hand salute, o’er Stars and Stripes,
And distant skirl of highland pipes,
Bid last farewell with hero’s rights,
And now we say goodbye.

While here on Earth, you gave your best.
Now in the Master’s arms you rest.
T’is by your memory we are blessed.
And now we say goodbye.

The Water Run Ambush. Some of us went from Vietnan to Okinawa to refurbish. With others, returned to Vietnam as Battalion Landing Team (BLT-1/3), 1st. Battn, 3rd. Marine Regiment, 3 Marine Div. Our fleet ship was the USS Okinawa, a helicopter carrier; to do heliborne assaults against the N. Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces. On April 28, 1967 we were heli-lifted into the Que Son Valley (Quang Tin Prov.) to sweep northwest of the village. We humped for days, contact with the enemy was increasing. On May 3, 1967 after a very hot day of search, we called off the day. It was Operation Beaver Cage-Union.
In need of drinking water, a water run was organized mostly out of company “A” guys who proceeded to pick up every else’s canteen and hoisted them on belts to carry as many as possible to the creek. So many that they were even told not to bring their weapons. We had made the mistake of setting up camp in a flat area lower than some nearby hills. Unknowingly to us, the enemy was spying from the higher ground. The water run group left the perimeter and we keep digging foxholes for the night. Shortly afterwards, heavy automatic and small arms fire erupted. Since there have been no prior scouting, the water run was easily ambushed by the creek. Everybody was called to commit, and the battle lasted until past midnight. Artillery and gunship fire was needed to suppress the cunning enemy. Word of mouth was that 14 Marine brothers were killed ambushed that fateful evening, but I can only account for 11, including this hero. Some of the bodies we could not retrieve until the next day. As Shore Party man, I helped load most the bodies into the choppers. 55 years later, I want to memorialize all of them and tell their loved ones what happened. As for me, sometime later, on the evening of June 13, 1967, I lost part of my right leg to a booby trap during the first day of Operation Choctaw. God Bless you all brothers. I still love and remember you all. Semper Fi. Antonio R. Ramos. Revised on Aug 22, 2022.
In Memory: 1) Balch, James Iverson -Corpman; 2) Button, Monty Duwayne; 3) Carnline, Troy Monroe; 4) Dickerson, Tommy Eugene; 5) Falwell, Donald Wayne; 6) La Rose, Joseph Rhuben, 7) Murry Eugene; 8) Plesakov, Luciano Paul; 9) Spicer, Eugene Douglas; 10) Sweesy, John Earl; 11) Verbilla, David.
May the Lord Bless their souls. They are not dead until we forget them.

Semper Fi

L/Cpl: Antonio R. Ramos – USMC- Ret.
Archaeologist and Historian.
3 Shore Party Bn, attached to BLT 1

Dear PFC John Sweesy, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Today is Flag Day, and the birthday of the Army. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

John
Thinking of you this Memorial Day. You will always be remembered by me for your and your family's sacrifice for our country.
In respect
Roy Hasbrook
Ridgewood Ave, Parma