THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever.

Dear PFC Clyde Trievel, 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.

PFC Clyde Edward Trievel (19) was born 12 Dec 1946 Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Clyde the son of Clyde E. Trievel Sr. and Mae Trievel of Boyertown, PA and enlisted in the US Marine Corps in June 1965 after graduation from Boyertown High School in Reading PA. In Vietnam. PFC Trievel served with Company M, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 3d MARDIV (Rein) FMF as a rifleman. On March 4, Operation UTAH was launched under the command of Task Force Delta in the Son Thinh District of Quang Ngai Province where the Marines would encounter elements of the 21st NVA Regiment. Mike Company was helicoptered into the operations area on the evening of 4 March the Marines moved forward on their search and destroy mission at first light on March 5. With little contact in the morning hours, Company M got heavily engaged with the enemy in the vicinity of Chau Nhai (3) by 1100 hours with the battle continuing into the afternoon. The NVA troops "occupied classic defensive positions, were well-armed and equipped, and defended occupied positions in strength." The Marines engaged and aggressively assaulted the enemy fortified positions and by approximately 1330 hours were able to penetrate the enemy positions which came at a cost of fifteen Marines killed and forty-six wounded in the action. Enemy resistance slackened with nightfall and when the Marines began again after daybreak on 06 March they found the NVA had withdrawn. The position turned out to be an extensive tunnel and underground bunker complex for the NVA 21st Regiment. The action on 05 March cost the Marines 43 dead. Mike 3/1 had fifteen of the Americans killed in action and forty-six wounded on 05 March. Clyde died as a result of Hostile small arms fire on 5 March. He is interred at Friedens Church Cemetery, Oley, Berks County, Pennsylvania and is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall, Panel 05E, Line 125

Clyde, you were a great friend at Boyertown High School in FFA and a true brother Marine. I was in country the same time and you were killed the day before my birthday. I think of you often and remember you telling me that you were also going into the Marines but did not know what happened until after I got home.
I think of you and will see you in the big PX in the heavens.

Dear PFC Clyde Edward Trievel Jr, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter