THE WALL OF FACES

Following the Cambodian incursion (April 29 – July 22, 1970), the U.S. Army’s 45th Engineer Group continued operational and combat support missions in I Corps (Military Region I). During the summer of 1970, the three battalions of the 45th Group (14th, 27th, and 39th Combat) carried out combat support for XXIV Corps (Army units under the operational control of the III Marine Force) and highway projects. Work included building bunkers, aircraft revetments, security towers, access roads to bases, and repairing the Mai Loc Special Forces airstrip in Quang Tri Province. Many of the engineers performing the work were “Pioneers,” the military occupational specialization for soldiers employed to carry out engineering and construction tasks. On July 19th, an 18-year-old Pioneer from C Company, 39th Engineer Battalion was critically injured in an accidental shooting at Chu Lai Combat Base. SP4 Michael J. Brenton, an Army volunteer from California, was in his company area at 7:25 PM when he reportedly shot himself in the head. He was medically evacuated to the 249th General Hospital at Camp Drake in Osaka, Japan. Brenton was in a coma for 26 days before he expired from cardiac arrest on August 14, 1970. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Engineers at War” by Adrian G. Traas]

I remember you visiting us when I was little before you left for Vietnam. You spent time with me and my brother and we really looked up to you. I never got to see you again, so I would like to say thanks for serving our country and that I'm proud of you. Your mother, my mother and me talked about you often. You will never be forgotten.

meet you on the ledge

You were sent to a war just beginning your life.
You never came home. You will always be admired and remembered.
Forever young

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...