THE WALL OF FACES

During the overnight period of June 2-3, 1967, 1st Platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, conducted an ambush patrol approximately two miles northwest of Duc Hoa in Hau Nghia Province, RVN. A Company’s commander made an aerial reconnaissance of the area the morning of June 2nd, and the platoon rehearsed the ambush and made preparations for the patrol throughout the afternoon of the same day. Twenty-four men were committed, and a variety of unit weapons were carried including two Starlight night-vision devices. The patrol set out at 7:05 PM and arrived at the first ambush site at 9:25 PM. Unidentified persons were seen at different times behind and parallel to the patrol. The Americans engaged two individuals with unknown results. A request for mortar support was denied due to the proximity to a friendly village. At 11:20 PM, the patrol moved from their position and set up a second ambush site. It was quiet until 3:00 AM when they began receiving small arms, rifle grenades, and mortar fire. Then an automatic weapon opened up from a dike to the southwest, pouring devastating fire into the middle of the ambush site. Groups of Viet Cong (VC) began assaulting the Americans’ position, moving in groups of eight or nine to as many as twenty. It was later estimated the patrol was under attack by a VC company. Taking serious casualties, and fearing being overrun, the Platoon Leader fled with those that could move into an adjacent tree line. Several wounded were left behind with the dead to defend their themselves. When supporting arms started hitting VC positions, the enemy began to withdraw. A flare ship provided illumination over the battle area, and a reaction force arrived at 6:30 AM. During the engagement, eight U.S. were killed and seven were wounded. The lost personnel included SP4 Kenneth A. Gore, SP4 Aubrey L. Hewitt, SP4 George D. Wallace, PFC Willie G. Dyer, PFC Harry E. Geary, PFC Taylor H. McLemore, PFC James W. Price Jr., and PFC Larry V. Sayers. Enemy losses were unknown. A survey of the ambush site by the reaction force disclosed several VC blood trails and two large pools of blood. All the lost U.S. personnel received posthumous promotions: Dyer, Geary, McLemore, and Sayers were promoted to Corporal, Price was moved up to Specialist Four, and Gore, Hewitt, Wallace were advanced to Sergeant. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “ARMY 1967 1ST BN 27TH INF AAR” at ttu.edu]

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 George.

Dear SGT George David Wallace, 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

Rest in peace with the warriors.

Rest in peace with the warriors.