THE WALL OF FACES

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotions and spends himself in a great worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end triumph of high achievement and, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while caring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold, timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. Theodore Roosevelt

The Battle of Ap Gu (March 31 - April 1, 1967) occurred during Operation Junction City, a search and destroy mission by U.S. military forces in Tay Ninh Province, RVN, west of the capital Saigon. Two U.S. 1st Infantry Division battalions made airborne assaults near the border with Cambodia to secure roads and LZ George, and to search and destroy Viet Cong (VC) in the surrounding area. The assaults were initially scheduled for March 30th, but poor weather forced one of the battalions to land a day later. In the early afternoon of March 31st, the Americans began reconnaissance missions, and one platoon from 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry was attacked by an undetermined-size VC force in a wood line north of LZ George. The assault killed their commanding officer. A few hours later, a U.S. company was attacked by a battalion-sized VC force and nearly overwhelmed. The communists tried to exploit their advantage but were driven off by American firepower. At 5:00 AM the next day, the 271st VC Regiment launched attacks on LZ George, firing hundreds of 60mm and 82mm mortar rounds followed by infantry charges. They managed to overrun some bunkers and hold territory before the Americans called in all available air and artillery support. Air strikes and cluster bombs wore down the VC and they broke contact at 8:08 AM with heavy casualties. The battle left 609 VC killed with 5 captured and over 23 weapons of all types recovered. American losses in the two days of fighting were 18 killed and 69 wounded. The lost personnel included (from 1/26th Inf) SP4 Freddy L. Amick, SSG Earnest C. Brown, SP4 Kenneth J. Dantzler, SP4 Phillip Grant, SP4 Thomas M. Hannigan, PFC William P. Kelly, SP4 Patrick T. Mercier, PFC William R. Petersen, SGT James E. Pressley, SP4 Ray W. Rhodus, PFC Joe D. Stowers, SGT Charles G. Summers, 1LT David F. Taylor III, PSG Delbert C. Totty, PFC James L. Wehr, and 1LT Richard A. Hill; and (1/2nd Inf) PFC Ronald H. Howell, PFC Michael J. Laurie, and PFC Sammie L. Watt. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, wikipedia.org, and “Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, After Action Report – Operation Junction City, 8 May 1967” at archive.org]

Dear PFC James Wehr, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Thanksgiving is today. Happy Thanksgiving. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

Dear PFC James Le Roy Wehr, 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