THE WALL OF FACES

Great sadness fills our hearts today
As pipes and drums, in slow march play.
A comrade’s fallen by the way,
And now we say goodbye.

This hero to the very end
Was more than just a casual friend,
Who would a stranger’s life defend,
And now we say goodbye

But we shall cherish, all our days,
The character this life portrayed
With sacrifice so freely made,
And now we say goodbye.

The hand salute, o’er Stars and Stripes,
And distant skirl of highland pipes,
Bid last farewell with hero’s rights,
And now we say goodbye.

While here on Earth, you gave your best.
Now in the Master’s arms you rest.
T’is by your memory we are blessed.
And now we say goodbye.

Dear PFC Dennis Young, Thank you for your service as an Armor Reconnaissance Specialist. I researched you on the 53rd anniversary of your wounding, so 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.

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

On April 2, 1970, D Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division was set up in a night defensive position five miles southeast of Minh Long Air Field in Quang Ngai Province, RVN. D Company was assembled near a second company in preparation for an airlift the following morning to another location. A Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) team of five men entered the perimeter and talked with some of the D Company personnel for a short time. When they left the perimeter, they headed toward the other company a short distance away. Not far outside the perimeter, the lieutenant of the LRRP’s was observed to lean over and say something to the effect, “What’s this?” At the same instant, an enormous explosion occurred where the enemy had placed either a small bomb or large artillery shell. The blast sent a lethal matrix of fragments in the direction of D Company. The effect was devastating. Eight D/4-3 personnel were killed and nineteen were wounded. Also killed was an interrogator from the 635th Military Intelligence Company, there with his Vietnamese interpreter to interrogate some Viet Cong captives. The lost D Company personnel including SGT Michael E. Borges, CPL Donald E. Chambers, CPL Spencer A. Goethe, CPL Larry Graves, 1LT Robert P. Kettering, PFC Ted R. Miller (died of wounds 04/29/1970), CPL Dennis N. Pipkin, and PFC Dennis L. Young; the interrogator was SP5 Richard Elliott. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Report, Americal Division - Operational Report, Lessons Learned for Period Ending 10 April 1970” at ttu.edu; also, information provided by Terrell Murphy (May 2020); and Bob McCabe (December 2001), Thomas Hill (April 2002), and Dan E. Thorlton (September 2002) at thewall-usa.com]

Dear PFC Dennis Lee Young, 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