THE WALL OF FACES

On September 8, 1970, the Tra Bong District Headquarters and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) Ranger compound in Quang Ngai Province, RVN, received over 100 rounds of mortar fire, heavy small arms and automatic weapons fire followed by a coordinated ground and sapper attack from the 409th North Vietnamese Army Main Force Sapper Battalion. Twenty-one friendly troops were killed in the attack including one American advisor, CPT Frank N. Vavrin from Advisory Team 17, Headquarters, MACV Advisors. Another 34 friendlies were wounded. Twenty-four enemy were killed and six were detained. The district headquarters was 75% destroyed, and the CIDG compound, Regional Forces camp, and the Rural Development Cadre area suffered significant damage. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and Operational Report, Lesson Learned, Headquarters, 23rd Infantry Division, period ending October 1970]

Frank Neal Vavrin
Date of birth: October 28, 1946
Date of death: September 8, 1970
Home of record: Augusta Georgia
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

SYNOPSIS: Captain Frank Neal Vavrin, United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star (Posthumously) for gallantry in action on while serving with I Corps in Southeast Asia.

General Orders: Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, General Orders No. 5205 (1970)

Service: Army

Rank: Captain

Division: I Corps

Dear Captain Frank Neal Vavrin, 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

Frank,
I only knew you for a few days before we were attacked by the Viet Cong in Tra Bong, Republic of South Viet Nam. I owe you a debt that can never be fully repaid. At the risk of your life, you guided a wounded compatriot to safety just before the fatal blast that took your life. I have visited you at the wall and have stayed in touch with your wonderful parents since my return. God Bless and Keep you!

my father was one of the men Frank O Vavrin wrote about that was also wounded in that attack. as I remember my father telling it, he was already wounded and Frank picked him up and was helping him to safety when they were hit with the mortar/grenade that killed him.

he is a hero and I might not be here today were it not for him.