THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Auburn (December 28, 1967 – January 3, 1968) was a U.S. Marine Corps operation on Go Noi Island located 15.5 miles south of Da Nang and west of National Route QL-1, and in the area directly north of the island nicknamed “Dodge City” by the Marines due to frequent ambushes and firefights there. The areas were a Viet Cong (VC) and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) stronghold and base area. While the island was relatively flat, small hamlets were linked by hedges with concealed paths providing a strong defensive network. The operational plan called for four Marine infantry Companies to establish blocking positions along the railway tracks on Go Noi Island while an Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) force swept west, pushing the NVA/VC against the Marine positions. Following a preparatory air and artillery bombardment, at 9:04 AM on December 28th, Marine helicopters started landing Company E, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines at Landing Zone Hawk. The Marines were met with small arms fire coming from Bao An Dong village west of the landing zone. As they advanced on the village, they were hit by heavy fire and withdrew to allow for airstrikes on the enemy positions.  Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines and the command group arrived at the landing zone by 11:30 AM, Company I quickly securing a nearby hamlet while Company E remained engaged at Bao An Dong. Company I was then sent to support Company E but was stopped by VC hidden in elephant grass. With both companies pinned down, air and artillery support were called in close to the Marine lines. At 3:30 PM, Company M, 3/5 Marines was landed and sent forward to support Company E. At 6:00 PM under the cover of UH-1E gunship fire, Company E withdrew to join up with Company M and established a night defensive position. American losses for the day were 18 dead and 25 wounded. Enemy losses were 32 killed. The lost U.S. personnel included (E, 2/3 Marines) LCpl Patrick E. Anglim, Cpl Robert L. Boyer (Silver Star), Cpl Richard L. Carlson, LCpl Carl E. Chamberlain, Cpl James B. Cox, Pfc Byron A. Gaines Jr. (Silver Star), SSgt Salome T. Hernandez, Pfc Thomas B. Holdbrooks, Pfc Arturo M. Lara, Pfc Ronald J. Streckert, Pfc Ernesto Tarango, and Pfc Herbert O. Zinnel Jr.; (I, 3/5 Marines) 2nd Lt John G. Corr, Pfc B. L. Murphy Jr., and Pfc Charles D. Townsend; (M, 3/5 Marines) Pfc Raymond A. Niedecken; (H&S CO, 2/3 Marines) LCpl Frank Florio; and (H&S CO, 1ST MP BN) Cpl William G. Fraser. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. You died at 18 years of age. I am 74 and have lived a long and fulfilling life. It is tragic you never had that same opportunity. May you rest in eternal peace.

PFC Charles Dwayne Townsend is buried in the Mount Zion cemetery in Brushy Creek, TX. His middle name was incorrectly listed as "Dwyne" on military documents.

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Dear PFC Charles Townsend, 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.

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers