THE WALL OF FACES

There is a place
Not far from here
Where spirits walk
And heroes live
And honor still resides.

It is a wall
With names inscribed
Of those who served
When they were asked...
The brothers of my youth.

I go there still
To walk and think
About my life,
And what I've done since
And things that might have been.

There is a debt
I can't repay
Too many lives were spent.
And one man's life cannot suffice
To make their deaths worthwhile.

But there is hope
In the memory
Of those we leave behind
Who know the price that freedom brings
Who can carry on in kind.

I send you now
To touch a name
So the vision can be passed
Remember there is honor still
It is for you to see it lasts.

They are not dead
And have a wish
As all old soldiers do
The reflection you see before you now
Is their wish to live in you.

Dear Sp4 Joseph Turowski, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. I researched you on the 53rd anniversary of the start of your tour. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Labor Day weekend. 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 Robert W. Gumbert Jr. was an infantryman serving with 2nd Platoon, B Company, 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. On June 22, 1970, PFC Gumbert was participating in a company-sized search and clear mission two miles east of Duc Pho in Quang Ngai Province, RVN. Early in the morning, a fire team swept outside of their previous night’s defensive position. Second Platoon then moved out to join the rest of the Company with Gumbert up front as his squad assumed point position. Gumbert led 9-10 men through terrain consisting of ankle-high grass and hedgerows shoulder-high or higher. There were no signs of trails, beaten down grass, or other evidence of occupation. As Gumbert was cutting his way through a hedgerow, an enormous explosion occurred. When the smoke and dust cleared, Gumbert was gone. Two troopers nearest to him lay dead, the one directly behind him dismembered by the blast. Two others were wounded. An extensive search was organized for Gumbert, but no discernable remains were located. A crater 18-feet across and 4-feet deep occupied the place where he was last seen. His wallet and some letters belonging to him were all that was found. Nothing else was located. The hedgerow he was passing through was completely destroyed for 18 feet on either side of the crater and the grass and undergrowth was blown down for 100 feet all around. It was later determined the booby-trap was a 250lb. or larger bomb. A visual reconnaissance of the area revealed numerous old vehicle tracks not visible from the ground with two such tracks leading to the crater. The Commanding Officer of C Company believed the explosion was caused by and old anti-tank mine. Gumbert was listed as Dead, Body Not Recoverable. The two other lost troopers were SP4 Gary L. Peat and SP4 Joseph M. Turowski Jr. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

can't believe it's been 48 years miss you more the older I get kept your memory alive at reunions with with Bravo guys great bunch of people rest in peace brother

Dear SP4 Joseph Marion Turowski 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.

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