THE WALL OF FACES

On early morning of September 18, 1967, the Cam Lo River in Quang Tri Province, RVN, was swollen by recent monsoon rains. As the river rose, it flooded a defensive position near a bridge on Route TL-8B manned by Marines from L Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines. At 2:40 AM, the Commanding Officer of L Company reported that the river was overflowing and many of his positions were under water. He was directed to move to higher ground, and while attempting to do so on the north side of the river, three of his Marines went missing. Another five were reported missing on the south side of the river. Three hours later, helicopters arrived and began evacuating personnel from the danger area. A total of 28 Marines were evacuated and eight were missing. Helicopter reconnaissance of the river was conducted at first light for the missing Marines. At 9:18 AM, three bodies were recovered from the river. At 10:30 AM, another body was located. A twenty-five man search party from L Company,3/4 Marines, was assigned to search the north side while 20 men searched the south side of the river. Two M76 Otters amphibious cargo carriers and an Amtrac amphibious tractor were dispatched to assist the search parties. At 2:30 PM, part of the search party had to be rescued by helicopter because of the rising waters. At 8:30 AM on September 20, 1967, villagers from Cam Thai located a body in the Cam Lo River. The body was later identified as one of the missing Marines from L Company. At 10:30 AM, another body was discovered in the river. The remains were identified as that of a Marine, but not one of the missing 3/4 Marines. They were sent to Dong Ha Combat Base northwest of Quang Tri where they were identified as those of SSGT Nevitt D. Davis from 3rd Force Recon Company, 3rd Recon Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. Davis reportedly was drowned three days earlier when the boat he was in capsized while conducting a patrol insertion on the Cam Lo River. The other lost Marines from the flooding at the Route TL-8B bridge were 1LT Thomas F. Regan, PFC Edward C. Statelman, 1LT Henry Babers, SGT Harrison B. Ball, SSGT John W. Boyer, LCPL Richard A. Giuliani, PFC Michael J. Hall, and PFC John P. Vis. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

DEAR STAFF SERGEANT BOYER,
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN INFANTRY UNIT LEADER. SEMPER FI. TODAY IS THE ASCENSION, AND MANY CHRISTIANS ARE IN PRAYER. MEMORIAL DAY IS APPROACHING, BUT ON ALL DAYS WE SHOULD HONOR YOU. IT HAS BEEN FAR TOO LONG FOR ALL OF YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE. YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS.

The war may be forgotten but the warrior will always be remembered !!!! All gave Some-Some gave All. Rest in peace John. :-(

John is buried in the same cemetery as my husband. John's sister, Kathy Boyer McVey always adds a fresh Marine Corp flag to the gravesite of her brother as well as to my husband's grave - two fine Marines. John Boyer, beloved and missed by his family and community.

Semper Fi Staff Sergeant.