THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Junction City (February 22 – May 14, 1967) was conducted by U.S. and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces to locate the elusive “headquarters” of the Communist uprising in South Vietnam. During the month of February, U.S. forces had only one significant encounter with the enemy. On the late morning of the 28th, the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division was conducting reconnaissance of the dense jungle east of Route TL-4 near Prek Klok in Tay Ninh Province when a platoon from B Company became heavily engaged with a large, well-armed Viet Cong force. As the contact developed, it became apparent that B/1-16 Infantry was engaged with a battalion-sized VC force (later identified as the 101st NVA Regiment) and was in danger of being overrun. Supporting arms of airstrikes and artillery fire were directed onto the enemy positions. B/1-18 Infantry and the remainder of 1-16 Infantry were airlifted to a landing zone near the contact to reinforce the besieged B/16 Infantry. Contact was broken at 4:20 PM. Enemy losses were put at 167 killed (body count) with one prisoner captured. American losses were 25 killed with 27 wounded. The lost U.S. personnel included 1LT David M. Anthony (posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal), PFC Richard I. Bermejo, PFC Robert J. Calvillo (posthumously promoted to Corporal and awarded the Bronze Star medal), PFC Juan Casiano, SP4 Charles Combs, PFC Steven W. Couch (posthumously awarded the Bronze Star medal), SP4 Russell W. Dickens, PFC Kenneth M. Edwards, SSG John H. Graham, PFC Larry C. Harris, PFC Michael J. Heal (posthumously promoted to Corporal), SP4 Budd E. Hood, PFC William W. Hood, PFC James F. Lamn (posthumously promoted to Corporal), SFC Matthew Leonard (posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor), PFC Patrick N. Lyons, PFC Ralph D. McNew (posthumously promoted to Corporal and awarded the Bronze Star medal), PFC Stanley G. Miller, SP4 Danny R. Parkulo, PFC Lee E. Reukauf, SSG Douglas A. Rix, PFC Harry T. Satterfield (posthumously promoted to Corporal and awarded the Silver Star medal), PFC John A. Seravalli (posthumously promoted to Corporal), SP4 Hubert O. Th-uot (posthumously awarded the Bronze Star medal), and SP4 Robert D. Yorker. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, 1 February 1967 - 30 April 1967” at archive.com]

There is a place
Not far from here
Where spirits walk
And heroes live
And honor still resides.

It is a wall
With names inscribed
Of those who served
When they were asked...
The brothers of my youth.

I go there still
To walk and think
About my life,
And what I've done since
And things that might have been.

There is a debt
I can't repay
Too many lives were spent.
And one man's life cannot suffice
To make their deaths worthwhile.

But there is hope
In the memory
Of those we leave behind
Who know the price that freedom brings
Who can carry on in kind.

I send you now
To touch a name
So the vision can be passed
Remember there is honor still
It is for you to see it lasts.

They are not dead
And have a wish
As all old soldiers do
The reflection you see before you now
Is their wish to live in you.

SP4 Robert Daniel Yorker is buried in the John Wesley Church Cemetery in Carmichael, MD.

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

Dear Sp4 Robert Daniel Yorker, Thank you for your service as an Infantry Senior Sergeant. I researched you on your 56th anniversary, sad. 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.