THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from fellow marine Al Anderson is touching and reflects his admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Dear SSgt Dan Youmans, Thank you for your service as an Infantry Unit Leader. I researched you on your 81st birthday. 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.

Brother I still remember the last time I saw you. We were at a Recruit Series graduation. Mrs. Papaleo was my guest. I heard that you had been Killed by friendly fire.

For most of May 1968, the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines worked out of the forward operating base at Con Thien, a mile south of the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Quang Tri Province, RVN. Con Thien (also known as the A-4 Strongpoint and Hill 158) was subjected to regular artillery, mortar, and rocket attacks from North Vietnamese Army forces within and immediately south of the DMZ, as well as repeated ground attacks. At 10:20 AM on May 1, 1968, two Marines died in a friendly fire incident at Con Thien when an artillery section firing in support of 1/4 Marines made a computing error. Three rounds impacted in the perimeter, killing SSGT Dan R. Youmans and LCPL Anthony Taylor, and injuring another man. An immediate check fire command was issued; however, it came too late to avoid the casualties. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and virtualwall.org]

Never forgotten.

Semper Fi, Marine