THE WALL OF FACES

Operation Jefferson Glenn was the last major operation in which U.S. ground forces participated during the Vietnam War, and the final major offensive in which the 101st Airborne Division fought. The campaign ran from September 5, 1970 to October 8, 1971, and combined the forces of the 101st Airborne and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 1st Infantry Division. The mission was to improve territorial security and protect the local civilian population from enemy aggression. The 101st's combat strategy was constant vigilance through the employment of numerous patrols and ambushes utilizing helicopters for rapid movement when the weather permitted. During the 399 days of operations, the Allied troops established multiple firebases throughout Thua Thien Province and regularly encountered North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong troops. On the fourth day of the operation, 2nd Platoon, C Company, 1/502nd Infantry, was patrolling when they engaged an unknown-size enemy force with small arms fire about seventy-five yards from their location. A scout dog handler embedded with the patrol from 47th Infantry Platoon Scout Dog, SP4 Tim E. Newell, was seriously wounded, and another man from 2nd Platoon was also wounded. The patrol requested a medivac and supporting arms. The two wounded men were taken to 85th Evacuation Hospital at Phu Bai where Newell was dead on arrival. A member of C Company, infantryman SP4 Wilford A. Young, was fatally injured after he accidentally walked into the rotor blade of a helicopter. Both Newell and Young were posthumously promoted to Sergeant. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and 101namveteran.com]

Dear SGT Wilford Avon 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, Sir

Curt Carter

There is a correction on Wilford place of burial. He is buried at Shiloh National Military Park, Shiloh,TN.

Thank you Sergeant Young for your leadership and courage.

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