THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your friend Michael Ellis is poignant. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever....

The “Friends of Rocky Versace” remember one of Frank Meszar's USMA 1966 classmates - a brother Airborne-Ranger/CIB recipient - Captain David Carlton Brown, on what would’ve been his 77th birthday - 19 April 2021.

Fire Support Base Lance was a 4th Infantry forward artillery base providing fire support to units operating in Quang Duc Province, RVN. The base was located two miles southwest of Duc Lap village. On September 7, 1968, Lance received a North Vietnamese Army sapper attack from an estimated force of 20-30 men. The attackers were dressed in shorts, short sleeves, and wore no shoes and hats. The enemy utilized small arms, B-40 rockets, and numerous satchel charges to breach the perimeter of Lance. A number of the NVA entered the base and attacked the Fire Direction Control (FDC) center of A Battery, 4th Battalion, 42nd Artillery and the Command Post of A Company, 4th Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry. The defenders fought back with unit weapons and received support from nearby fire bases and U.S. Air Force Douglas AC-47 “Spooky” fixed-wing gunships. The enemy broke contact and withdrew at 5:20 AM. U.S. losses were nine killed and thirty wounded. The FDC was destroyed and both the Commanding Officer of A/4-503rd and A/4-42 were killed. The lost Americans included (from A/4-42 Artillery) CPT George D. Taylor, SGT John W. Johnson, and PFC Michael J. Abruzzesa Jr.; (from A/503rd Infantry) CPT David C. Brown, SSGT Cecil V. Evans, 2LT Robert B. Gilray, SSG Edgar J. Grismer, SFC David R. Karr, and CPL Steven A. Winters. Eleven NVA were reportedly killed. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

The war may be forgotten but the warrior will always be remembered. All gave Some-Some gave All. Rest in peace Sky Soldier.

The “Friends of Rocky Versace” remember one of Frank Meszar's USMA 1966 classmates - a brother Airborne-Ranger - Captain David Carlton Brown, on what would’ve been his 75th birthday - 19 April 2019.