THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Sgt Leonard Trumblay, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. 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.

SSG Leonard J. Trumblay was a U.S. Army Ranger serving with L Company, 75th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. On April 6, 1971, SSG Trumblay was fatally wounded in an attempted body snatch on a hill five miles southeast of A Luoi village in the A Shau Valley, Thua Thien Province, RVN. The following account of his loss is provided by Charles Reilly: After a AH-1G Cobra gunship helicopter killed a number of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) soldiers on April 5, 1971, it was observed that the bodies of the dead NVA had not been removed from the point of contact and that they and their weapons remained lying exposed on top of a semi-barren hill on the eastern side of the A Shau Valley. Over the objections of the Ranger company commander, the Battalion Commander decided that a Ranger team could be inserted by helicopter to recover the bodies and weapons and secure the immediate area. In order for this to happen, the Rangers would have to rappel from the helicopter onto the landing zone (LZ). SSG Trumblay was assigned the “bellyman” for the mission, in charge of securing the rappelling ropes. On April 6th the operation commenced, but with tragic results. The NVA had been waiting patiently for any U.S. soldiers to attempt to retrieve the bodies or weapons and lay in ambush just off the LZ. When the helicopter got close to the LZ, the NVA opened fire, wounding both pilots and a Ranger who had begun to rappel down from the UH-1. Trumblay was killed instantly by two bullets that perforated the bottom of the aircraft. Gunners on the helicopter returned fire and reportedly killed several of the attackers. Despite their serious injuries, the pilots were able to fly the helicopter out of the immediate “kill zone” and return to base approximately 20 miles east. The other wounded Ranger survived despite being hit four times by AK-47 fire. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Charles Reilly (December 2019)]

Staff Sergeant Leonard Trumblay was killed-in-action on April 6, 1971 in the I Corps province of what was once known as South Vietnam. He was a highly respected member of the company and is well-remembered by the Rangers he served with. His loss is still felt to this very day.

Dear SSGT Leonard James Trumblay, 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.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say 'thank you'; for America, for those who love you, and for the Sgt's son.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter (son of Sgt. Ardon William Carter, 101st Airborne, died February 4, 1966, South Vietnam)

To a strong man, a man who loved us unconditionally. A man who was proud to be a soldier, proud to be a husband and proud to be a father.