THE WALL OF FACES

On Sunday, 5 June 2022, graduates of the U.S. Military Academy Class of 1968 conducted a Memorial Tribute Ceremony at the National Museum of the United States Army (NMUSA) on Ft. Belvoir in honor of their 20 Fallen Hero classmates who made the ultimate sacrifice in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Twenty classmates read an individual tribute in the order of the chronological death of each Army Officer – 1LT Donald F. Van Cook Jr. (4 June 1969) thru CPT Henry M. Spengler III (5 April 1972). In addition to Captain David L. Alexander (6 February 1971), the 17 other classmates were: 1LT William Forsell Ericson II (15 July 1969); 1LT Denny L. Johnson (2 September 1969); 1LT Kenneth T. Cummings (4 September 1969); 1LT David L. Sackett (24 October 1969); 1LT Peter M. Connor (4 November 1969); 1LT James A. Gaiser (7 November 1969); 1LT William F. Little III (11 November 1969); 1LT Donald R. Colglazier (18 January 1970); 1LT Jeffry R. Riek (25 February 1970); 1LT Harry E. Hayes (31 March 1970); CPT Richard A. Hawley Jr. (6 May 1970); 1LT John E. Darling Jr. (18 May 1970); CPT Donald R. Workman (21 July 1970); CPT David T. Maddux (9 August 1970); CPT Douglass T. Wheless (22 November 1970); CPT William F. Reichert (27 January 1971); and CPT Louis J. Speidel (25 June 1971). Following the individual tributes, guest speaker former Army Chief of Staff GEN Eric K. Shinseki, USMA 1965 – a Firstclassman when members of USMA 1968 were Plebes – gave his remarks regarding the importance of remembering the sacrifices of classmates.

On Saturday morning, 4 June 2022, graduates of the U.S. Military Academy Class of 1968 conducted a Memorial Remembrance Ceremony at the Vietnam Wall in honor of their 20 Fallen Hero classmates who made the ultimate sacrifice in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. One hundred sixteen men from USMA 1968 joined thirty-six Gold Star family members for the Remembrance. Henry Riser and Glen Hewitt read the Roll Call of the Fallen. In addition to Captain David Lee Alexander, the other classmates remembered were: 1LT Donald R. Colglazier; 1LT Peter M. Connor; 1LT Kenneth T. Cummings; 1LT John E. Darling; 1LT James A. Gaiser; CPT Richard A. Hawley; 1LT Harry E. Hayes; 1LT Denny E. Johnson; 1LT William F. Little; CPT David T. Maddux; CPT William F. Reichert; 1LT Jeffry R. Riek; 1LT David L. Sackett; CPT Louis J. Speidel; CPT Henry M. Spengler; 1LT Donald F. Van Cook; CPT Douglass T. Wheless; and CPT Donald R. Workman. Class Escorts presented a rose to the Gold Star Family representative. Following the sounding of “Taps” by a bugler from the U.S. Army Band, all present proceeded to the Wall to place the rose at the base of the Fallen Hero’s Panel. This 2022 Ceremony was the 8th conducted by USMA 1968 with previous Ceremonies at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2016 (Ft. Benning).

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. It is heart breaking that such fine men such as you were with us for such a short time and never had a chance to fulfill all your dreams and aspirations.

The “Friends of Rocky Versace” remember one of Henry Spengler's USMA 1968 classmates - a brother Army Aviator - Captain David Lee Alexander, on what would’ve been his 75th birthday - 2 March 2021.

The “Friends of Rocky Versace” once again remember one of Henry Spengler's USMA 1968 classmates, CPT David Lee Alexander, on what would’ve been his 72d birthday - 2 March 2018.