THE WALL OF FACES

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

Dear Cpl Ronald Wilson, Thank you for your service as an Antitank Assaultman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Valentine's Day is soon. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Ronald Wilson is shown here to have been in the 9Th Marines. This is a mistake. He served in Echo 2nd Bn 4th Marines. 2/4 was attached to the 9th Marines during Operation Kingfisher. Maybe this is where it might have been the confusion. This Should be corrected. He might have been in 2/4 a short time, but he is still what we call ourselves “Magnificent Bastard”.

I was only yards from him when katusha 122 mm (?) rocket fire rained down on us. The earth was like cement; so it was hard to protect ourself. He like many
Marines was educated and well spoken. The night before his death he spoke about his girl friend, and his family back home. His death was the first up close death of a Marine I knew. Our unit suffered nearly 3000 casualties in 45 days of fighting. Oddly our infantry Battalion was full strength at around 950 Marines.

Corporal Ronald Lee Wilson, Served with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.