THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Sam Houston (February 12 - April 5, 1967) was a U.S. Army 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division operation in the Plei Trap Valley in Kontum Province, RVN. In early February 1967, intelligence reported that two divisions of the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) were operating in the Plei Trap Valley near the Vietnam-Cambodia border with a third division believed to also be nearby. The area of the operation was some of the most difficult jungle terrain in all of Southeast Asia, with almost continuous jungle and thick, dense undergrowth making movement and visibility extremely difficult. From the beginning of the operation, NVA units engaged the Americans, killing fifty-five and wounding seventy-four. On February 16th, U.S. troopers were ordered to stay near their firebases while airstrikes and artillery pounded enemy positions. The enemy struck back, and on March 2nd, the NVA attacked with mortars a 1st Battalion,12th Infantry position at LZ 501N, 26 kilometers northwest of Plei Djereng Airfield. Two U.S. infantrymen were killed and two others were wounded. PFC George M. Sloan and PFC Richard H. Tissier died after being hit by fragments from falling mortar rounds. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and wikipedia.org]

Remember to save for them a place inside of you, and save one backward glance when you are leaving, for the places they can no longer go...

Dear PFC Richard Tissier, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Tomorrow is the 58th anniversary of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it still needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

Richie I always remember you, you were the first person I knew who died in Vietnam. I went to school with your brother Billy and remember where you lived on Woodycrest. I'm writing this today because my son visited the wall today and asked if I knew anyone there, I hope he found you if not I know they felt for all of you. RIP FRIEND