THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Delaware (April 19 – May 17, 1968) was a joint military operation with troops from the U.S. and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) moving into the A Shau Valley. The A Shau was a vital corridor for moving military supplies and personnel from the Ho Chi Minh Trail and was used by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) as a staging area for numerous attacks in Military Region I. Fighting began on April 19th after preparatory B-52 and tactical bombing of NVA antiaircraft and troop positions. Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division were inserted into landing zones at the north end of valley as paratroopers of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division moved west and southwest establishing Firebase Veghel. On April 29th, Companies B and D, 1/327th Infantry, got into a prolonged firefight with an NVA company approximately one kilometer from Veghel. The enemy had the upper hand as they fought from well-made bunkers and camouflaged positions in the trees, at one point sending out a force to envelop Company B. The U.S. unit pulled itself out of the trap, although not before losing 13 killed and 16 wounded. The lost personnel included (from B-1/327th) PFC Gerald R. Brown, SSG Larry O. Copeland, PFC Edward A. Gaffney, SGT David G. Ledgerwood, SSG Vernon W. Nix III, PFC Thomas A. Nystrom, SSG Lloyd W. Peele Jr., PFC Adolfo M. Perez, PFC Lucky G. White, PFC Stephen R. White (posthumously promoted to Corporal), and SP4 Gary Wisnier, and SP4 Gary L. Young; and (from HHC-1/327th) PFC Lorenzo Stegall. When the two U.S. companies renewed their attack the following morning, they found the bunkers empty except for the bodies of 15 dead NVA. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org and wikipedia.org]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. We should be forever thankful for the sacrifices of you and so many others to ensure the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Dear Cpl Stephen White, Thank you for your service as an Airborne Qualified Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is the 2nd Day of Christmas, Merry Christmas (date on this wall is wrong). Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Steve, your 50th High School class reunion is coming up in 3 months. I am organizing a remembrance table in your honor, along with several other classmates who have passed away, and you will all be lovingly remembered at the class luncheon on Memorial Day Weekend. I am honored to be a part of your class reunion, and I sure would like to find out who it is that leaves the 6 pack of beer on your headstone every summer because I would enjoy talking to him or her. Rest in Peace, Steve, and know that you are remembered.

Dear CPL Stephen Robert White, 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