THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. You died at 18 years of age on my 17th birthday. I am now 74 and have lived a long and fulfilling life. It is tragic you never had that same opportunity. May you rest in eternal peace.

Dear PFC Douglas Wade, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Today we celebrate Columbus Day. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Doug and I were in the 2nd of the 5th in B company, 3rd Platoon of the 1st Air Cav Division. We were in Bong Song that morning. Two days prior, we had been ambushed by the 327th B North Vietnamese Regiment. Our platoon was assigned to do a sweep of the area to attempt to locate a enemy machine gunner who was continuing to harass us. Doug was assigned as the point-man on that sweep. We waded across the Bong Song River and continued up the side of the mountain in an attempt to locate the machine gunner. It was approximately 10 AM when we made contact with the North Vietnamese in an ambush. A fierce firefight and sued. Doug was one of the first to be injured and called for a medic. I was the medical corpsman assigned to that unit. When I was able to get to Doug, I saw he had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest but was still alert and and talking. Myself and several others quickly constructed a stretcher and started transporting him down the mountain to arriving medevac helicopter. We had four men were carrying Doug to the LZ. One man was on each handle of the stretcher. I was carrying Doug’s weapon and the four weapons of the men carrying Doug in addition to all my medical supplies. We were retreating under heavy enemy machine gun fire. I could see Doug was quickly fading. Having been raised in a Christian home I encouraged Doug to pray. We set the stretcher on the ground for a moment to catch our breath and Doug was sat up. He said, “Jesus forgive me“ then laid back onto the stretcher and died. Realizing the urgency to extract Doug was gone, we fortified our position and waited for approximately 20 minutes for reinforcements to arrive. Doug was transported to a helicopter and extracted.
My memories from 56 years ago. Rest in peace Warrior.
Sergeant Robert W. Anthony
208.602.5268
Boise, Idaho

As your 74th birthday approaches, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Forever 18.

HOOAH

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor Douglas.