THE WALL OF FACES

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt, "Citizen in a Republic", April 23, 1910

Lance Corporal Frank Cosme Alcantar, Served with the Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

LCPL Frank C. Alcantar was a rifleman serving with Headquarters & Service Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 3rd Marine Division. On September 26, 1965, LCPL Alcantar died in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The Marine Corps listed his death as the result of a “vehicle loss or crash”; however, an obituary from The Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA) dated September 29, 1965, reported that Alcantar “died of natural causes.” He was 22 years-old. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Dear LCPL Frank Cosme Alcantar, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

DEAR LANCE CPL. ALCANTER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A MARINE GRUNT.
REST IN PEACE AND SEMPER FI.