THE WALL OF FACES

I remember Jimmy taking his little brother and I to the carnival in march in his uniform.He went to Vietnam shortly after that and was killed in action. I didn’t understand that then, but I’m now 63 and that’s a memory of loss I’ll never forget.

War drew us from our homeland
In the sunlit springtime of our youth.
Those who did not come back alive remain
in perpetual springtime -- forever young --
And a part of them is with us always.

Dear Cpl Jimmy Wheless, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Advent, and Christmas is soon. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On May 7, 1968, a long-range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP) from E Company, 52nd Infantry, 1st Cavalry Division was inserted in the vicinity of Nui Bai Cay Tat Mountain, approximately 6 miles south Of Phong Dien, Thua Thien Province, RVN. That evening the LRRP team whispered over the radio that North Vietnamese Army soldiers were within range and there was a lot of movement, the size of the force uncertain but too many in the same area for the team to move. At 1234 hours on May 8th, a reaction force from 2nd Platoon, B Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry was airlifted to the area and instructed to link up with the besieged LRRP team after they reported being in heavy contact with the enemy. The reaction force came under heavy automatic weapons fire after getting on the ground, resulting in six U.S. wounded. The platoon succeeded in linking up with the LRRP team during the night. Continuous illumination over the battle area was provided by Air Force flareships. Helicopter gunships, aerial rocket artillery, and artillery were employed to assist the platoon throughout the night. The following day, May 9th, 2/B/4-31 remained in sporadic contact with the enemy. A Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry was combat assaulted into the area and was told to move overland to link up with 2/B/4-31. This was accomplished at 1044 hours. The members of 2/B/4-31 were extracted and moved to Camp Evans while A/4-31 continued operations against the enemy force. Two members from the LRRP team were killed during the battle, SP4 Gerald W. McConnel Jr. and SGT Robert E. Whitten. Four members from B Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry were also lost: CPL Jimmy R. Brown, CPL Terrance A. Kandler, PFC Russell W. Jarick (a medic from Headquarters Company), and CPL Jimmy R. Wheless. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vvmf.org]

Dear CPL Jimmy Ray Wheless, 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, Sir

Curt Carter