THE WALL OF FACES

I was a Marine Security Guard at the Embassy in Cambodia. The Embassy employees were playing softball when we were attacked by 2 Khmer Rouge rebels. Sgt. Wayne Turberville, MSgt. John Henry Gregory and a young Cambodian girl were killed. Many others were wounded. I was in centerfield when the bombs went off. I then went to where everyone was injured. My friend Wayne was already dead. May he Rest in Peace.

SGT Charles W. Turberville was trained as a combat engineer. However, on September 26, 1971, SGT Tuberville was assigned as a security guard at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where he served with C Company, USMC Security Guard Battalion, Headquarters USMC. Tuberville was one of two American servicemen killed when terrorists hurled two homemade grenades into a playground where U.S. Embassy personnel and dependents were playing a softball game. The other fatality was U.S. Army quartermaster MSGT John H. Gregory Jr. Another 10 were wounded. The terrorists, described as two youths riding motorcycles, tossed the explosives among players and spectators at the game being played less than 200 yards from the home of the U.S. Chancellery. Witnesses said they pulled the grenades from their shirts and threw them at the home plate area. They escaped in the confusion after the explosions. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Red Grenades Kill 2 Yanks at Ball Game.” Chicago Times, September 27, 1971]

Think of you each time I go to the wall Bro,
SEMPER FI

I attended msg school with charles and we became good friends. I went to Saigon and he went to Cambodia. I think of him often.

On October 19, 2014 the family and friends of Sergeant Tuberville dedicated the “Charles Wayne Tuberville Memorial Highway” (County Road 17 or the Claiborne Lock and Dam Road). It is a 5 mile section of of highway that Wayne travelled every day on his way to school and to see friends. It is the road that he travelled the day he left bound for Vietnam and it is the road that brought him back. It took 43 years and 24 days for Wayne to receive visible hometown recognition. Ronnie Philen welcomed, thanked everyone, and spoke about Wayne. County Commissioner Billy Ghee read the Resolution naming the highway. Sergeant Major Kenneth Pickering (USMC RET) of the Marine Security Guard spoke of the dedication, bravery, and sacrifice of Sergeant Tuberville. Edward Philen unveiled the sign as members of the VFW rendered honors. The dedication is a reminder that friends and family do not forget. A grateful hometown thanks Sergeant Charles Wayne Tuberville for his service and sacrifice.

A beautiful memorial service and dinner followed at Eureka Baptist Church. An offering was taken to be given to The Alabama Baptist Children’s Home in memory of Sergeant Charles Wayne Tuberville. If you would like to contribute to this offering, send your gift to Sgt. Tuberville ABCH Offering, EUREKA BAPTIST CHURCH, 195 Eureka Church Road, Franklin, Alabama 36444 before November 2, 2014.