THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

I met Dave the day we were inducted in the Army.We stopped at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo for wings and a beer, then flew to Fort Dix,NJ for basic training, then to Fort Polk for AIT. He took the bottom bunk, me the top. We both celebrated our birthdays in March in Leesville, LA then flew to San Francisco and onto Vietnam, landing in Ben Hoa. Dave was assigned to Charlie Co, I to Alpha Co. Dave was a fine young man. Our short friendship still means alot to me. We supported each other the best we could. He was killed 7 days after I was wounded. I found out by getting his Christmas card returned. Fifty years ago...hard to believe but never forgotten.

Specialist Four David Ivan Briggs, Served with Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.

On November 23, 1968, C Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, had a major engagement with the Viet Cong in the Boi Loi Woods, three miles southwest of Truong Mit in Tay Ninh Province, RVN. At 0915 hours, during a sweep of the area, the company came under heavy fire from a hedgerow. Artillery fire and armed helicopters were called in to soften the enemy position, but when the company attempted to assault after the supporting fires were lifted, it was again struck by a withering enemy fire. The fight continued all day before the enemy broke contact. Company losses throughout the day were 15 killed and 20 wounded. A search of the enemy position after he withdrew found six enemy bodies, one RPG-7 rocket launcher, seven AK-47 rifles, five rounds of RPG-7 ammunition, five pounds of enemy documents, five pounds of medical supplies, two hand grenades, and 11 pounds of explosives. A Vietnamese Regional Force Company that moved into the area to support the contact located a significant enemy cache at a location one kilometer east of the contact. Americans lost in the battle included SP4 David I. Briggs, PFC James C. Carlson, PFC John W. Colbert, SP4 Arnold R. Diekema, 1LT Michael N. Loitz, SGT Richard A. Milks, PFC Robert J. Nixon, PFC Frank Sanfilippo, SP4 Richard C. Stevens, PFC Joseph D. Szidor, PFC Mitchel R. Tyler, PFC Terrel J. Vidrine, and CPT Carl J. Winter. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division Operational Report-Lessons learned for the periods 1 November 68 to 31 January 69”]

Dear Spec 4 Briggs,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. This is Independence Day weekend, and it is important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.