THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. You died at 21 years of age on my 19th birthday. I am now 75 and have lived a long and fulfilling life. It is tragic you never had that same opportunity. May you rest in eternal peace.

Dear Sp4 Thomas Vaughan, Thank you for your service as an Airborne Qualified Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart . Autumn has begun. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it still needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

Before dawn on February 19, 1968 an estimated Viet Cong battalion attacked the Province Headquarters in downtown Phan Thiet. A simultaneous attack was launched on the 44th ARVN Regiment facility located northeast of the headquarters. At 0915 hours, an intelligence report was received indicating that an estimated forty wounded enemy soldiers were being carried by laborers six kilometers west of the city. In response, Alpha Company “Currahees,” 3/506th Infantry, was sent from LZ Betty across the Ca Ty River to the north bank to conduct a sweep and secure the area. Once across the river, 1st Platoon A/3/506 made contact with an enemy force. Following air and artillery strikes on the enemy positions, A/3/506 moved forward and engaged an estimated reinforced company-size enemy force in well-concealed and reinforced bunkers. The 3rd Platoon would bear the brunt of an attack from an enemy in well-concealed positions. While seeking out the VC, 1st platoon had followed 3rd platoon after exiting a cemetery into an open rice paddy. Unbeknownst to them, they were awaited by a patient enemy concealed in an L-shaped bunkers as the platoons moved closer into the kill zone. About 45 meters into the dry rice paddy, the enemy opened up with semi- and automatic weapons accompanied by rocket-propelled grenades. Some of the Currahees were killed instantly, and many others wounded; but those who were able to return fire on the unseen enemy, did so. The battle raged for four hours until darkness began to fall on the battlefield. Under the cover of darkness, Currahees crept forward to recover their dead and wounded comrades. Eight brave Currahees from 3rd platoon had been killed and twenty others wounded. Those who died included PSGT John H. Gfeller, PFC Robert D. Griffis, PFC Martin R. Knight, SP4 Thomas C. Vaughn, PFC Walter M. Patterson, SP4 James R. Webster, SP4 Donald F. Marshall, SGT Carl A. Rattee. [Taken from virtualwall.org and the book My Gift to You by Jerald W. Berry]

Dear SP4 Thomas Cecil Vaughan, 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