THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Dear Lcpl Edward Tarver, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Independence Day is soon. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it still needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On August 12, 1970, an element of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, was on a platoon-sized search and destroy mission in support of Operation Lyon Valley, a 5th Marines search and clear operation southwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The platoon was winding down a 30-day patrol through the rice paddies, nipa palm, jungle, and hills, searching for Viet Cong to prevent them from massing for attacks on Da Nang and An Hoa Combat Base. At 4:25 PM, while moving near the hamlet of Phu Nhuan (3), the point man tripped a booby trap consisting of multiple explosive devices wired to a single detonator. The Viet Cong had positioned a “daisy chain” of 155mm artillery shells to wreak maximum damage, and the resulting explosion was devastating. Five Marines were killed in the blast and fifteen were wounded. Those not hurt immediately responded and provided aid to the injured. Medivacs airlifted the wounded to hospitals in Da Nang and a naval hospital ship offshore. The lost Marines included LCPL Alan W. Ashenfelter, LCPL Gary L. Jenks, CPL Kenneth E. Oliver, PFC Charles K. Puderbaugh and LCPL Edward Tarver. A week later, the battalion held a memorial service in a large, tented chapel with wooden sides at the regimental rear at An Hoa. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Michael Sanzaro (April 2021)]

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

At 4:25 PM on August 12, 1970, an element of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, was on a platoon-sized search and clear operation near the hamlet of Phu Nhuan (3) in Quang Nam Province, RVN, when a booby-trapped 155mm artillery round was detonated. Five Marines were killed in the blast and another seventeen were wounded. The five lost Marines included LCPL Alan W. Ashenfelter, LCPL Gary L. Jenks, CPL Kenneth E. Oliver, PFC Charles K. Puderbaugh and LCPL Edward Tarver. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]