THE WALL OF FACES

Great sadness fills our hearts today
As pipes and drums, in slow march play.
A comrade’s fallen by the way,
And now we say goodbye.

This hero to the very end
Was more than just a casual friend,
Who would a stranger’s life defend,
And now we say goodbye

But we shall cherish, all our days,
The character this life portrayed
With sacrifice so freely made,
And now we say goodbye.

The hand salute, o’er Stars and Stripes,
And distant skirl of highland pipes,
Bid last farewell with hero’s rights,
And now we say goodbye.

While here on Earth, you gave your best.
Now in the Master’s arms you rest.
T’is by your memory we are blessed.
And now we say goodbye.

Dear Cpl Gary Towle, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. I researched you on your 90th birthday, happy birthday. 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.

Gary is my uncle. I never did get to meet him as he was killed before I was born. It makes me sad he is gone, but I'm proud of him for being there to fight for us.

PFC Gary C. Towle was an infantryman serving with 1st Platoon, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. On May 24, 1969, PFC Towle was on a company-sized combat patrol in Thua Thien Province, RVN. B Company was acting as a blocking force against North Vietnamese Army units operating in the area, a few miles from Hill 937, infamously known as “Hamburger Hill.” The Company was dispersed into platoon-sized units operating within a kilometer of each other. At noon, Towle’s platoon was resupplied by helicopter. They also received a new soldier. This “cherry,” as he was referred to for his lack of combat experience, was in his first day in the field. Shortly after the resupply, the platoon began preparing their night defensive position (NDP). The NDP was arranged in a circular pattern with the men spaced at select intervals, each digging their own fighting hole. Later that night, rifle shots were heard on the American’s line. Evidently, the cherry, who reportedly was terrified at being in the bush, fired on Towle when he got up to wake the person he was sharing watch with. Towle was critically wounded, and a medivac was called which arrived within 30 minutes. He was still alive when he was placed on the helicopter. Also put aboard was the cherry, removed for his own protection. Towle was taken to a U.S. military hospital where he expired a short time later. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Donald Byrnes (December 2018)]

Corporal Gary Chester Towle, Served with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.