THE WALL OF FACES

SP4 Charlie K. Wooden was an Indirect Fire Infantryman serving with B Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Since late February 1968, when SP4 Wooden arrived in Vietnam, the 1st Cavalry Division was engaged in continuous combat during the Tet Offensive and the relief of the Marines under siege at Khe Sanh Combat Base. In late April, they were preparing for Operation Delaware, a move to drive the North Vietnamese Army from the A Shau Valley. About a week before OP Delaware began, Wooden was recreational swimming in the South China Sea in Quang Tri Province, RVN, when he reportedly drowned. His body was recovered and positively identified on April 20, 1968. Wooden was posthumously promoted to Sergeant. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

I think of you often brother. You was the oldest of 5 children and you left us first. Your wife, Mamie, just passed away on Dec. 21, 2016 and she never remarried. We lost your pictures after our mom died and it took me this long to find one of you. I have been determined to find one, as I did not want you to be the only person on the wall without a picture. I have shared it for all the world to see as I posted it on Facebook. I was and am still so proud of my big brother. Thank you for your service to our country. Forever missing you. Rest on in Paradise! Love you, your sister, Gloria bka Lady.

Dear SGT Charlie K Wooden, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Charlie is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Albany, GA.

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers