THE WALL OF FACES

Never forgotten.

GARRYOWEN

We can never truly repay the great debt we owe our fallen heroes. May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace PFC. Bradford, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Fallen Hero: On October 4, 1966, 3 months and 2 days after my father, SSGT Sam W. Daily, said his goodbyes to his two baby girls and his pregnant wife, his battalion was on a reconnaissance mission when they were assigned to locate and help a downed aircraft. As they were making their way toward the crash site they crossed through a rice patty and came under enemy fire. Dad told his platoon that he would execute a flank attack to draw enemy attention and ordered them to escape as soon as he stood to shoot. Two of the soldiers disobeyed his orders and joined him. All three of them were shot. These three soldiers heroic act saved the lives of the rest of their platoon that day. Our dad Staff Sergeant Sam Webster Daily (Find a Grave Memorial #24564415) and Charles Marshall Bradford, PFC (Find a grave Memorial # 44356510) died instantly. The other soldier (don’t know his name) survived and wrote to our mother to tell her what happened. He told my mother that after they were shot the Vietnamese soldiers kicked each one of them to see if they were still alive. He managed to keep from making a sound. The Vietnamese were about to shoot them in the head, but one of the Vietnamese soldiers told the others they were all dead and not to waste their bullets.

This is the reality of war. No glamour, no glory, just death and mayhem. I am proud of my father’s sacrifice and heroism but still suffer his loss until this very day. The burden we survivors endure can only be described as PTSD. We have to go on without that integral and essential part of our lives.

Be that as it may, let us all honor those fallen soldiers without judgement or remorse but remembering them for the sacrifice they made for our freedom.

Sam W Daily Jr.

Thank your your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

They sent us in to an area along the South China Sea where a helicopter had been shot down in the middle of salt water paddies. These were like cranberry bogs with dikes separating them. We were moving along the dikes when VC popped up out of holes and started shooting at us. Charlie was right behind me and saw a VC about to shoot me. He knocked me out of the way and took a bulet that was meant for me. I killed the VC. Charlie died in my arms with his friends touching him. We carried his body with us and found a boat to put him in and get him out of there. He was carried by friends all the way out surrounded by friends. Not a day goes by when I don't thank him for my life. Barry Gallagher