THE WALL OF FACES

Camp Viking was a component of the Red Beach Base Area, a complex of U.S. Marines, Navy, Army, and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) logistics and support bases northwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, RVN. On January 23, 1970, CWO James H. Alexander, an Army helicopter pilot with the 610th Transportation Company based at Viking, had instructed a private E-1 to get a military haircut and report to him at 1:30 PM. The E-1, aircraft mechanic PVT Malcom J. Grim, reported as ordered, but did not have his hair cut. Alexander, along with Grim's squad leader, proceeded to escort the private to the barber shop. Along the way, Grim pulled a fragmentation grenade from his pocket and yelled, "I have been to the barber, and I do not want to get another hair cut!" Grim depinned the grenade and let the spoon fly. Eyewitnesses stated that he made a motion to throw the grenade into a group of soldiers playing volleyball. Alexander struggled with Grim, grasping the hand that held the grenade, while he tried to remove him to an area where several Conex containers would shield the blast. An explosion occurred and Grim was killed. Alexander was critically injured and admitted to the 95th Evacuation Hospital at Da Nang for treatment of multiple fragmentation wounds to the chest, abdomen, right leg, and loss of his right arm below the elbow. He was medically evacuated to the U.S. Army hospital at Camp Zama and later expired at the U.S. Air Force hospital at Tachikawa Air Base from acute renal failure on February 7, 1970. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org, virtualwall.org, and 610thtransco.com]

Jim was my cousin, the son of my dad’s sister. I had never read an account of what led up to his death until I stumbled across this website. Thank you to the students of Lake Central High School, St. John, Indiana, and to those from Gridley High School in Illinois for their touching tributes. It is humbling that 30+ years after his death, Jim was remembered for his dedication to duty and courage in the face of danger. Rest in peace, Warrior.—Marjorie Emmert, Lt. USN

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will never die...

Chief Warrant Officer James Hines Alexander, Served with the 610th Transportation Company, 58th Transportation Battalion, 34th General Support Group, United States Army Vietnam.

Picture posted by Tom Clark, Teacher and Students, Lake Central High School, St. John, Indiana.
Please watch our video about what we have been doing in the classroom for the past 32 years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohw6D-bcfPU