THE WALL OF FACES

During the period immediately prior to the Cambodian incursion US and ARVN units conducted extensive operations along the South VietNam and Cambodian border. During March and April of 1970 the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry opened and closed seven fire bases to support these operations. Fire Base Illingworth, located on Route LTL-20 about 35 kilometers northwest of Tay Ninh City, was opened on 17 March, assaulted by a battalion of the 272nd NVA Regiment in the early morning hours of 01 April, and closed on 04 April as the focus of US operations shifted.

While the assault on FSB Illingworth cost the North Vietnamese nearly two hundred dead, the Americans paid a high price too - 25 known dead, 54 wounded. The US dead were

• A Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
  o SGT Kenneth R. Hodge, Johnson City, TN (Initially not Identified on Base)
  o CPL John L. Smith, Mill Brook, AL (Initially Identified as C/2-8)

• A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Artillery
  o SP4 David H. Lassen, Clarence, NY
  o SP4 Terry L. Schell, Chicago, IL

• Headquarters & Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Artillery
  o SSG Lawrence E. Sutton, Portland, OR (Bronze Star "V")

• B Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Artillery
  o PFC Thomas R. Bowen, Forestville, CA
  o 1LT Cleaveland F. Bridgman, South Dartmouth, MA (Silver Star)
  o SSG Benjamin V. Childress, Knoxville, TN
  o SGT Syriac Hebert, Pine Bluff, AR
  o SGT Robert H. Lane, Concord, TN

• Headquarters & Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 77th Artillery
  o SP4 Thomas J. Murphy, River Falls, WI
  o SSG Steven J. Williams, Portland, OR

• A Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry
  o CPL Billy P. Carlisle, Pelahatchie, MS (Initially Identified as C/2-8)

• C Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry
  o CPL Leroy J. Fasching, Wibaux, MT
  o SGT Robert A. Hill, Lowell, OH
  o PFC Roger J. McInerny, Richfield, MN
  o CPL Michael R. Patterson, Dearborn, MI
  o SGT Gerald W. Purdon, Cincinnati, OH
  o CPL Klaus D. Schlieben, Richmond, VA

• E Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry
  o CPL Bobby L. Barker, Harvey, IL
  o CPL Nathan J. Mann, Warsaw, MO
  o SGT Brent A. Street, Inglewood, CA (Dist Svc Cross)
  o SGT Casey O. Waller, Cumberland, VA (Dist Svc Cross)

• Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry
  o SGT David G. Dragosavac, Meadville, PA
  o SGT Sidney E. Plattenburger, Charlotte, NC

I knew Cleve at Knox College. We were not friends but Cleve was a presence on campus; physically imposing, handsome, friendly, smart, and with a smile for everyone.

I did not know Cleve well but every Memorial Day I remember him as I know do countless others who knew him at Knox. We remember and quietly reflect on his service and sacrifice which humbles and honors us all.

Thank you for fighting for our country.

This photograph is of FSB Illingsworth the day after the attack in which 1LT Bridgman made the ultimate sacrifice.

This photograph is of FSB Illingsworth the month before the attack in which 1LT Bridgman gave his last full measure.