THE WALL OF FACES

On behalf of those who served with you in the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) and all who followed, we offer our respect and remembrance of your ultimate sacrifice. May you never be forgotten and your family and friends take comfort in your valor in servin

Shortly after 8:15 AM on May 17, 1967, armored personnel carriers (APC’s) from D Company, 16th Armor, 173rd Airborne Division, were returning from a combat operation when they approached a concrete bridge located on Highway QL-1, five miles southeast of Suoi Cat in Long Khanh Province, RVN. An Engineer minesweeper team examined the bridge for wires and mines, and negative results were obtained. The first APC was ordered to move across the bridge which it did without incident. Immediately thereafter, a second APC, D-13, commanded by SFC Charlie G. Lewis, moved onto the bridge. As D-13 reached the center of the bridge, its left track detonated a pressure-type mine. The explosion ruptured the fuel tank, thereby setting fire to the APC and enveloping it in flames. The explosion caused the personnel aboard the APC to be thrown inside the vehicle and the APC to turn over and land sideways on the road. The APC continued to burn and the ammunition inside ignited, which resulted in subsequent explosions accompanied by shrapnel. Defensive security measures were immediately established and other D Company crewmen began removing the men from D-13 and administering first aid to the wounded. All the men that were inside the burning APC were extracted. An attempt was also made to rescue SFC Lewis, who was pinned beneath the burning wreckage. All efforts to remove his body from beneath the flaming wreck were futile. A headcount revealed that 11 men had been riding on D-13. Identifying the remains was made difficult due to several of the bodies being burned beyond recognition while others had been dismembered in the explosion. A total of ten bodies had been recovered from the APC, eight dead and two wounded. After approximately two hours, the flames of the APC still could not be extinguished. As the heat subsided, attempts to locate SFC Lewis’ remains amidst the residue and ashes were unsuccessful, and none were recovered. The other lost personnel included PFC Winfred Alderman, PFC Edward O. Claeys, SP5 George R. Edwards, SSG Joseph O. Frigault, SSG Johnnie C. Fuller, SGT Wilson T. Gerald, PFC Steven M. Haniotes, PFC Norman P. Howie Jr., PFC David J. Johnson, and SP4 William C. Turner. Three of the troopers had survived the blast, only to succumb to their injuries days later. Fuller died May 18th from 3rd degree burns over his entire body. Howie and Johnson died on the 20th, Howie the result of 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 90% of his body and the traumatic amputation of his left foot, and Johnson from 2nd degree burns over 90% of his body. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

DEAR PFC ALDERMAN,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN AIRBORNE QUALIFIED GRUNT.
MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

Private First Class Winfred Alderman, Served with Company C, 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade.

Dear PFC Winfred Alderman, 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, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter