THE WALL OF FACES

In the early years of the Vietnam War, the U.S. Air Force lacked the engineering capability to quickly respond to wartime construction and disaster recovery efforts on U.S. bases. Demands were beyond the scope of a regular civil engineering unit, and the Air Force needed a squadron that could construct overseas airfields and build facilities in the most challenging conditions while supporting forward deployed tactical units. In September 1965, the Air Force created two units with the name REDHORSE, an acronym meaning “Rapid Engineering Deployable Heavy Operations Repair Squadron Engineer.” These two units would be sent to Southwest Asia. One was the 554th Civil Engineering Squadron (CES). The 554th CES deployed to Phan Rang Air Base, RVN, in February 1966, where its first major project was a complete runway reconstruction. The 554th CES would expand its capabilities beyond this mission limitation and soon found itself in all facets of air base facilities construction and development. On March 4, 1970, a REDHORSE team was constructing a revetment around the 35th Combat Support Group’s Data Processing building at Phan Rang. At approximately 2:00 PM, a single 107mm rocket was launched against the base. The projectile came at the worksite, over one revetment wall and impacted the other. The blast sent metal fragments in all directions, fatally wounding one of the workers and injuring four others. SGT Joe N. Tucker died instantly after being hit. One of the wounded required evacuation, and the others sustained minor injuries, returning to duty the following day. Tucker’s remains were transferred to Cam Ranh Air Base for return to the United States. Material damage by the rocket was significant. One wall of the computer building and equipment inside were destroyed, and the facility was put out of action for a week. Three weeks after his death, a memorial service was held for Tucker where a bronze plaque on a wooden base was placed on the rebuilt building in his memory. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Jeffery F. Erskine (July 2022)]

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

Was waiting for the bus when a rocket came over our heads and we hit the ditch. The explosion was close and virtually hit inside a revetment going around a building and someone yelled "a guy was working in there". That is when we found Joe. He never knew what hit him which is a blessing.

Dear SGT Joe Nathan Tucker, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

I met Joe Tucker shortly before his death. He was part of a team building a revetments for my computer building. I can provide some information regarding the circumstances surrounding his unfortunate death. He was helping to protect others!