THE WALL OF FACES

On the remembrance of your 73rd birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

PFC Kenneth D. Thompson served with A Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, US Army Vietnam. He was killed by sniper fire during Operation Pegasus (Coffelt Database).

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

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

I didn't know Thompson very well as he was a "new guy." Not long after landing near Khe Sanh to help the Marines there, we were sent out to scour the hills nearby for enemy units. On 11 April 68, we scaled a mountain that had a saddle back shape. Our platoon, the First Platoon of "A" Co, 1/8 Cav., descended down towards the rise that formed the other horn of the saddle. This hill was surrounded by yellow grass up to the level of the knee. We sent an element of about a dozen men to advance up that hill. They paused to reconnoiter about a third of the way up the hill. They stopped and relaxed a bit too much. Thompson was standing with his back to the hill when a shot rang out. The AK-47 bullet hit him directly in the heart through the back, protruding through the skin of his chest, but not breaking it. We pulled back, carrying his body to the higher part of the mountain, while artillery plastered the knoll. The NVA unit occupying it, who were not Infantry, fled the hill, which we later occupied. Even though he was relatively new, his loss was keenly felt.

Dear PFC Kenneth David Thompson, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter