THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from fellow soldier Dick Arnold is touching and reflects his admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

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

Operation Wheeler was a U.S. offensive operation launched on September 11, 1967, by the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division against the North Vietnamese Army’s (NVA) 2nd Division to the northwest of Chu Lai in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The operation was a series of assaults and search and destroy missions against the NVA. In early October, command authority for the 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, was passed to the 1st Brigade, and the battalion departed Duc Pho Base Camp in southern Quang Ngai Province for the Wheeler area of operations. On November 9, 1967, while A Company, 1/35th was conducting combat operations near Chu Lai, it was engaged by an estimated two companies of North Vietnamese Army regulars wielding machine guns and small arms. A heavy barrage of fire was received as the company approached a fork of a river. Seven American were killed in the battle and one reported missing. The lost personnel included PFC Robert L. Hale, SP4 Donald S. Holke, SP4 James R. Howard, SP4 Dennis R. Podgorny, PFC Billy Templeton, SSG Freddie L. Thomas Jr., PFC Quinn W. Tichenor, and SP5 Tyrone Wright. Another sixteen were wounded requiring evacuation. Several posthumous decorations for bravery were awarded: Holke, a radioman, received the Silver Star for bravery, and Howard, Podgorny, and Tichenor were awarded the Bronze Star. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, cacti35th.com, and wikipedia.org]

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

SSGT Freddie Lee Thomas Jr. is buried in Section 32, Lot 169 of the Barrancas National Cemetery on the NAS/Corry Naval Base in Pensacola, FL.

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH