THE WALL OF FACES

For more than 50 years my father carried the guilt that he was partially responsible for his brother's death. The story as I understand it was he and his brother said goodbye to each other and my dad gave him a bottle of vodka for his 21st birthday. This was sort of a tradition in our family. My dad, his brother, their father and so on served in the military and would have some bottle given on their 21st birthday.

A few days after my uncle's birthday he was killed in battle. My father wept for decades when he thought about. You could see it in his eyes. He once told me had he not given that bottle he might have saved him. My father feared Bob might have been drunk that day.

This story haunted me. So I made a promise to myself that I would find out how he died. Right before covid hit bad I was working as a Nurse in the ICU. To take my mind off how bad it was I decided to look up his platoon and find any survivors. Eventually after some days I was able to make contact with 3 and this was the story they told me:

It was very dark. We were in a canopy of trees so heavy it was like day was night. Your uncle was a few men behind the man in front on a narrow trail when gun fire broke out. He was carrying the ammo for an M60. The man in front was carrying this weapon. He went down instantly and so did the men in front leaving your uncle out front.

We all took cover. Your Uncle picked up the M60 and let loose a barrage of fire while we got the hell out of there. He did this for 2 min. And 2 min was an eternity when you are in battle.

Then is got quiet. We knew what had happened. When we came back we found him there lying next to the M60.

Your uncle saved us. If it was not for him we would have died.

I let them tell my dad this. They told him, "hell no, he wasn't drinking. The Lt wouldn't allow it. "

Today, that look my dad has when he thinks about his brother has changed. It's still sad but the guilt is gone. Our family doesn't care about medals. You ask any of them who saw battle and saw loss they would tell you they weren't heroes but as one soldier once said, "I'm no hero, but there are ones I know that never left there"

Robert L Brownlee will always be one of my heroes. I wrote this because I wanted people to know him and no the sacrifice he gave for you. Our family would do anything to have him back. My father would give anything to be sitting with him in a garage right now pulling apart a small block v8.

Thanks for reading.

Rest in Peace Brother. Thank you for your service. You are not forgotten.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. While all deaths in Vietnam are tragic that you died just three days after your 21st birthday is especially so. May you rest in eternal peace.

Specialist Four Robert Leon Brownlee, Served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear Spec 4 Brownlee,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman with the 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry. This was Mike's unit, and he too was killed in Phuoc Long, and he too died close to his birthday. (He died 2 days before his 21st.) Say hi to him in heaven. It is important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.