THE WALL OF FACES

SGT Rosario R. Abbate was a construction equipment mechanic serving with A Company, 864th Engineer Battalion, 35th Engineer Group, 18th Engineer Brigade, U.S. Army Republic of Vietnam Engineer Command. During 1967, American troop strength was growing in Vietnam, and the 35th Engineer Group busily constructed new bases in the southern II Corps area on the Cam Ranh Bay peninsula in Khanh Hoa Province, RVN. At 7:20 AM on April 17, 1967, Abbate was in his unit’s armory room at Cam Ranh Bay when he fired a .38 caliber revolver into his head. He was taken to the 8th Field Hospital at Nha Trang where he expired 16 hours later. Abbate was 23 years old. An autopsy was performed, and the mode of death cited was suicide; however, in an improbable action, the Army released a casualty report four months later on July 17, 1967, noting the death occurred as the result of “accidental discharge.” [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Engineers at War” by Adrian G. Traas]

Image courtesy of Redbird Research LLC, Saint Charles, MO.

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 truly die.

Sergeant Rosario Russel Abbate, Served with Company A, 864th Engineer Battalion, 35th Engineer Group, 18th Engineer Brigade, United States Army Vietnam Engineer Command, United States Army Vietnam.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.