THE WALL OF FACES

My 70 year old dad recently told me about a few guys he grew up with who went to war and never returned home. You were one of them. He has fond memories of you, and said you were always smiling. By the time I arrived here on earth, you were already gone for four years, but I met your brother Herschel (may he RIP) when I was a child. He and my dad worked and hung out together. Hershel was always cheerful too. I just wanted to stop by and thank you for your courage, bravery and service. Salute!

SP4 Charlie L. Wilder was an Aircraft Powerplant Repairer serving with A Company, 15th Transportation Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. He was stationed at Bearcat Base near the city of Bien Hoa in Dong Nai Province, RVN. In the early morning of February 23, 1969, SP4 Wilder was asleep in his hootch with 13 other soldiers when Bearcat began receiving enemy rocket fire. The first projectile hit the flight line about 300 yards away. About 10 seconds later, a second rocket went through the roof of the hootch and struck Wilder in his bed, killing him instantly. Four others were injured, three of them critically. A medivac arrived and evacuated the wounded. Wilder’s remains were removed and transported on a second helicopter. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by John Nicholson (January 2018)]

Dear SP4 Charlie Larry Wilder, 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

Larry (as I knew him) was the first person who taught me the importance of racial equality and how African Americans suffered in the south during his childhood. I was with him a few hours before his death and slept in the same hooch about 12' away. We were at Bearcat, a firebase about 30 miles from Ben Hoa. We got a direct hit from a 107mm rocket at about 2AM on 2231969. The point detonating round went off just above his bunk. He died immediately with a smile on his face that I will never forget. He taught me an important life lesson that I have since spread to my 4 children who grew up without racial indifference...thanks Larry. Rest in Peace! Your brother in combat. John

Thank you my Nam brother.