THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Lcpl Joe Torres, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Agent Orange Awareness Month. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it still needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

MCRD San Diego 1969. Does it sound familiar?
We may have been in the same platoon. A fellow Marine from 1043 told me you’d gotten hit in Vietnam.
I landed at DaNang AFB Aug. ‘69 with 11th Marines 1st MarDiv.

I SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS FROM 1969 THROUGH 1972. I SERVED IN VIETNAM FROM 05/12/1970 THROUGH 03/08/1971 WITH MIKE 3/7, MIKE 3/1 AND LEFT VIETNAM WITH H&S 2/5. I SERVED WITH MIKE 3/1 FROM 09/27/1970 TO 12/04/1970. I WAS WALKING POINT ON 12/04/1970 AND WAS W.I.A BY A BOOBY TRAP. I WAS EVACUATED TO THE USS SANCTUARY. DAYS LATER MARINES CAME ON BOARD THAT I KNEW. THEY TOLD ME THAT AFTER I WAS EVACUATED THEY WALKED APPROX. 50 YARDS INTO A AMBUSH. THE MARINE THAT REPLACED ME WAS JOE TORRES. JUST WANTED TO LET HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS KNOW THAT AFTER 50 YEARS HE'S STILL NOT FORGOTTEN, IT'S HARD TO FORGET SOMEONE WHO GAVE SO MUCH. BILL RYAN 610-462-5161

On the remembrance of your 70th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Semper Fi, Marine.

Lance Corporal Joe D. Torres, Served with the 1st Platoon, Company M, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.