THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. While all deaths in Vietnam are tragic that you died one day before your 22nd birthday is especially so. May you rest in eternal peace.

Dear Sp4 Thomas Whitby, Thank you for your service as a Combat Engineer, I hate that you passed the day before your birthday, too sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It's the last week of Advent, and Christmas is in days. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Well I wish I got to meet you since I have same name uncle Tom you must of been special everyone who talks about is all great stuff you went so young for this government who don't care about the hurt or died for there agenda well that's it till the day I get to meet you in heaven

At approximately 1:15 AM on May 12, 1969, Quan Loi Base Camp, also known as LZ Andy, received a rocket barrage followed by a ground probe and sapper attack on the south side of the base perimeter. The enemy was able to penetrate the wire in the area between Bunkers 62 & 70. Several of the bunkers received direct hits from B-40 rocket-propelled grenade rounds and satchel charges. A 175mm artillery tube of the 1st Infantry Division was destroyed and an A Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry 4.2” mortar pit suffered a direct hit, resulting in several U.S. killed and wounded. The sappers also got inside the wire on the north side of the perimeter, utilizing the attack on the south as a diversion for the sappers on the north side. An hour after the attack began, tracked vehicles from 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 22nd Infantry Regiment from Firebase Thunder IV arrived to reinforce the base. They were followed by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment a little while later, which reinforced the area around bunkers 62 & 70 with armored personnel carriers and troops. A final barrage of rockets landed about 6:00 AM after which time the enemy withdrew. A sweep of the area around the perimeter at first light revealed an assortment of ammunition and explosives on a trail which lead to a location where rifles, grenade launchers, satchel charges, and other weapons were found. Also, the rally point used by the enemy before the attack was found where uniforms, sandals, web gear, wallets and documents were discovered. The results of engagement were twelve Viet Cong killed, sappers who were found stripped down to their shorts. Friendly casualties were fourteen Americans dead and over ninety wounded. The lost U.S. personnel were SP4 Charles C. Case, PFC Gary A. Corrie, PFC David E. Demings, SP4 Earnest T. Freeman, PFC Donald W. Garrett, SP4 Ronald L. Gray, SP4 James W. Harter, PFC Lawrence D. Harvey, SP4 Robert D. Lewis, SP4 Raymond F. Norvell, SP4 Cecil W. Queen, SP4 Charles G. Stultz, SP4 Thomas A. Whitby, and SP4 Bobby J. Yewell. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Last thing I said to you that night was I'll see you in the morning(May 11 1969) May 12 1969 GOD took you home. I will see you in heaven Thank you for being my friend.