THE WALL OF FACES

Nor shall your glory be forgot; While fame her record keeps, Or honor points the hallowed spot; Where valor proudly sleeps.

Dear Sgt Lewis Yates, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Lent has begun. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

At approximately 1600 hours on February 6, 1971, elements of 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, were inserted into the Nui Be Mountains in III Corps, a region known as the Iron Triangle in Binh Duong Province, RVN. The objective was to run patrols and seek out the NVA over the next several days. The 33rd NVA Division in the area, however, had no misgivings about letting the Americans know they were there, and that night began banging on pots, smoking marijuana, and making all manners of noise. They probed the U.S. position after dark, keeping everyone on edge. Nobody slept. At daybreak, Blackfoot Platoon was sent into the area of noise where they came upon a blue communications wire laid out in a ravine. The find was reported to the company CO (commanding officer) who admonished them not to follow the wire as it was an ambush. For reasons unknown, the lieutenant leading the patrol decided to follow the wire and he was the first to be killed in the ambush. A reaction platoon was sent in to aid the besieged patrol and a seventeen-hour firefight ensued. More troops were sent in, but the thick jungle and rugged terrain delayed their arrival. Six members of B Company, 2/8th were lost in the engagement. They included SSGT Bruce A. Van Dam, SSGT Brian R. Foley, 1LT Thomas P. King, SGT Richard S. Kulwicki, CPL Theodore R. Mason, and SGT Lewis R. Yates. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by John E. Schulz]

Dear SGT Lewis Rickey Yates, 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

Lewis is buried at Redwood Memorial Cemetery, Taylorsville, Salt Lake County, UT.