THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Dear PFC Joseph Vierra, Thank you for your service as an Armor Crewman. 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.

C Company, 2/34th Armor was a tank company comprised of M48A3 Patton tanks. On the early morning of March 1, 1967, the company was in a night position along Highway 239, five miles southwest of Dau Tieng in Tay Ninh Province, RVN, conducting a security operation in support of elements of the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry. Beginning around midnight, a reinforced battalion from the 271st Viet Cong Regiment attempted to overrun their position in a battle that would last until 5:30 AM. During the engagement, one of the tanks (C-33) was struck by a recoilless rifle, killing Tank Commander SSG Alvester Hill and medic SP4 Jerry D. Byers. Crewman PFC Joseph Vierra was seriously wounded and expired the following day. Another crewman, PFC Jesse R. Castro, was critically burned and evacuated to the burn center at the 106th General Hospital in Yokohama, Japan, where he expired March 9th. The gunner also sustained burns and was evacuated to Japan; he survived. The tank driver was taken to a Long Binh military hospital where he was treated and released. A reaction force arrived, and a tank pulled alongside the burning C-33. It was hit by the same weapon; however, there were no fatalities. Following the battle, C-33 was loaded onto a flatbed trailer and hauled away. [Taken from virtualwall.org and information provided by Ralph Arvizu (March 2012) and Ronald F. McRae (April 2013) at pbase.com]

Thank you PFC Vierra for your courage in dangerous times, in a far and dangerous place.

Dear PFC Joseph Vierra, 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