THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your sister Pat on behalf of your brother and sisters is moving and reflects their enduring love for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever.

Dear PFC Carl Wenzel, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Advent has begun. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace PFC. Wenzel, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family. Semper Fidelis!

At a little after midnight on April 25, 1965, a U.S. Marine recon squad, 2nd Squad, 3rd Platoon, B Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, was positioned on Hill 161, three miles south of Phu Bai Air Field when it was attacked by a Viet Cong force estimated to 8 or 9 strong. The enemy assaulted the Marines with automatic small arms and hand grenades. The Americans returned fire and the VC retreated. One member of the squad, PFC Carl R. Wenzel, was killed, and three others were wounded. Three hours earlier, a listening post from 2nd Squad at the base of the hill had also been attacked, and the two men there were reported as missing at midnight. A platoon from I Company was immediately dispatched to the area from their position approximately 2500 meters away. Also, another squad of Recon Marines left the company’s Command Post to assist the platoon from I Company in the relief of 2nd Squad. A medical evacuation was requested from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 (HMM 162) at Phu Bai Air Base but was denied as “tactically unfeasible.” At first light, 1st Squad went in search of the two missing Marines and located them at the base of the hill. One of them, PFC Randall K. Campbell, had been killed in action, and the other was wounded. Helicopter evacuation of all the casualties was made at dawn. The wounded were treated at B Medical and transferred to the Nha Trang field hospital. Two enemy were killed in the action. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Thank you, to a cousin I never knew.