THE WALL OF FACES

Great sadness fills our hearts today
As pipes and drums, in slow march play.
A comrade’s fallen by the way,
And now we say goodbye.

This hero to the very end
Was more than just a casual friend,
Who would a stranger’s life defend,
And now we say goodbye

But we shall cherish, all our days,
The character this life portrayed
With sacrifice so freely made,
And now we say goodbye.

The hand salute, o’er Stars and Stripes,
And distant skirl of highland pipes,
Bid last farewell with hero’s rights,
And now we say goodbye.

While here on Earth, you gave your best.
Now in the Master’s arms you rest.
T’is by your memory we are blessed.
And now we say goodbye.

Dear Sgt Frederick Williams, Thank you for your service as an Infantry Direct Fire Crewman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is MLK's birthday weekend. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On June 15, 1967, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry was assigned security for a round-trip resupply convoy from Chu Lai Combat Base to Duc Pho Base Camp. Units were placed at critical points along Highway QL-1, and A Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry was placed on alert as a quick response force with lift helicopters on (air)strip alert. The convoy left Chu Lai at 7:30 AM and arrived at Duc Pho at 2:00 PM. The return from Duc Pho began at 3:00 PM when the convoy began moving back north, stopping at Quang Ngai Airfield at 7:00 PM. At this time, 2-35 Infantry was released from the assigned mission. At 6:45 PM, C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division was returning to LZ Liz on a dike road above some dry rice paddies with members of Recon 2-35 from the day’s convoy operation when one of their M113A armored personnel carriers (APC) detonated a pressure-release mine estimated at two hundred and fifty pounds. The blast occurred approximately three hundred yards from the gates to LZ Liz. The explosion killed eleven personnel from 2/35 Infantry and 3/4 Cavalry, and the APC was totally destroyed. The lost personnel included PFC Barry L. Adam, SP4 Paul Bowman Jr., SSG Joe R. DeBault, PFC Juan J. Gonzalez, SP4 Lawrence A. Hurd, PFC Michael R. Ojile, PFC Louis J. Purdy, PFC Floyd H. Russell Jr., SP5 Valentino Tauaese, PFC Herbert Wigfall Jr., and SGT Frederick J. Williams. One survivor was seriously wounded. Personnel were riding inside and atop the APC when the mine was hit. The blast spread the APC over an area estimated at 100 yards in radius. Initially thought to be from a command detonated mine, a later inspection of the blast zone revealed no wires, indicating the mine was pressure detonated. There was early confusion on this issue as another APC had crossed the same area without incident. As darkness fell, flare ships provided illumination over the incident area. All the bodies were extracted by 7:45 PM. Some thirty Vietnamese suspects from a nearby village were taken into custody for interrogation and were flown from the site in three helicopter lifts. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Operational Reports - Lessons Learned (ORLL) for May-June 1967]

Dear SGT Frederick Joseph Williams, 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, Sir

Curt Carter

freddie,

Played. Against you in High school in our BIG GAME. You were one of the best 400 yard dash guys in the state. RIP

Denny Craig, jackson High school and. 2 tours in NAM