THE WALL OF FACES

Camp Eagle was located 4.3 miles southeast of Hue in Thua Thien Province, RVN. The 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division was based at Eagle during May–June 1968. At half past midnight on May 21, 1968, an estimated North Vietnamese Army (NVA) battalion launched an intense mortar and rocket attack on the camp. Over 400 rounds hit Eagle between 12:29 AM and 1:38 AM. Helicopters immediately lifted off to engage enemy mortar and rocket launch sites (14 sites were located through radar and visual sightings). Under the cover of the incoming mortar rounds, the enemy launched a ground attack against the 1st Brigade perimeter. Utilizing small arms and automatic weapons fire, Bangalore torpedoes, demolition charges, and RPG-7 and RPG-2 (rocket-propelled grenade) fire, the enemy broke through the outer perimeter wires and moved toward the bunker line. Intense friendly small arms and automatic weapons fire supported by aerial units and direct fire artillery “Beehive” anti-personnel rounds repulsed the enemy attack. Artillerymen of the 2-320 Arty fired four rounds of Beehive at the NVA attempting to breach the perimeter and killed twelve. The enemy fled from the area at 5:00 AM as gunships placed fire on the retreating NVA. A sweep of the area at daylight revealed 54 NVA dead with two prisoners detained. A variety of weapons were captured, including 11 individual and five crew served weapons, 40 satchel charges, 30 Bangalore torpedoes, 50 RPG rockets, an undetermined number of 90mm recoilless rifle rounds, and miscellaneous small arms ammunition and field equipment. Friendly losses were 13 U.S. killed and 53 wounded with 16 requiring emergency medical evacuation. The lost personnel included (from HHC-2/502nd) 2LT John P. Brown, 1LT Michael L. Deane (died of wounds 05/24/1968), and SSG Jerry E. Spice; (A-2/502nd) PFC Michael F. Deeny III; (B-2/502nd) SP4 James Johnson Jr., PFC Leonard D. McGinnis, and PFC Charles E. Walthall; (C-2/502nd) SP4 Billie R. Acree (posthumously promoted to Sergeant) and PFC Larry M. Gross (posthumously promoted to Corporal); (E-2/502nd) PFC Vincent J. Caravello; (HHC-2/327th) SGT Gregory A. Harper; (HHC-2/327th) SP4 Gregory A. Harper (posthumously promoted to Sergeant); and (C-2/327th) PFC Theodore R. Hollis (posthumously promoted to Corporal). Damage to base camp equipment and station property was light. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report of 101st Air Cavalry Division for Period Ending 31 July 1968” at archive.org]

You always said incompetence was your greatest fear. I think of that comment often and try to find ways to protect my family but Wow.

My daughter and hubby have moved to Portland. I asked them to give you a shout out as they crossed the Rogue River and Roseburg.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from Gail Elizabeth Morris are especially poignant. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever....

The “Friends of Rocky Versace” remember one of Rocky’s fellow alumni from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point - a brother Airborne-Ranger - Second Lieutenant John Patrick Brown, USMA Class of 1967, on what would’ve been his 76th birthday - 30 January 2021.

The “Friends of Rocky Versace” remember one of Rocky’s fellow alumni from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point - a brother Airborne-Ranger - 2LT John Patrick Brown, USMA Class of 1967, on what would’ve been his 74th birthday - 30 January 2019.