THE WALL OF FACES

Private First Class Ronald Lee Brashears, Served with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your friend James Hiett is moving. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

Ronnie and I were the same age and both were in the same grade at Stanberry Mo.
We also lived about 6 mi. away from each other. As kids my mom (Jane Hiett)
would take me to his house and we would play in the barns on his farm. We
made forts out of the bales. Then as we got older we would pick up that same hay.
He want off to the Army and I went off to Missouri University. I was a lousy student
and off to the Navy and road Submarines for 5 years. I will always remember
that mischievous smile of his. He will always hold a special place in my heart as long as I live.

Fire Support Base Madeline was located ten miles south of Saigon along the east side of Highway LTL-5A in Gia Dinh Province, RVN, and was the home of 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry, 199th Light Infantry Brigade. The 3/7th operated throughout the III Corps region, conducting patrols and night ambushes from Madeline into the rice paddies and nipa palm of the area. In the middle of May 1969, A Company, 3/7th, was ordered north into the jungle for the first time for a search and clear operation. On the morning of May 23rd, while patrolling an area two miles northeast of the hamlet of Xa Thai Hung in Bien Hoa Province, an explosion occurred, critically injuring infantryman PFC Ronald L. Brashears and the man behind him, PFC Ronald R. Ward; two others were wounded. As aid was being given to the fallen troopers, an OH-6A light observation helicopter came overhead and was asked to pick up the seriously injured Ward, who the medics were having trouble keeping breathing. The crew responded that a medivac was inbound. Incensed, Ward’s platoon sergeant radioed the helicopter to land, or he would open fire. The aircraft set down, and Ward was put aboard. He was taken to the 93rd Evacuation Hospital at Long Binh where he expired nine hours later. The other wounded were taken to Long Binh area hospitals. Brashears, who lost both legs in the blast, lived until June 5th. It was later determined that an American-made Claymore mine had been detonated against them when a homemade, battery-operated pressure-release detonator was tripped. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Kent “Skeeter” Cowel (April 2021)]

Dear PFC Brashears,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Independence Day is approaching, and it is important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.