THE WALL OF FACES

On November 27, 1969, Thanksgiving Day, Troop L, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry, a tracked mechanized unit, set up a night laager on Route 246 near the Cambodia border in Tay Ninh Province, RVN. Unbeknownst to them, they had bivouacked only 100 meters from a major NVA infiltration trail hidden under the trees and paved with bamboo. In the early morning, a passing NVA rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) team attacked 3rd Squadron’s position. Two self-propelled howitzers had their gun tubes blown right off their tank chassis. Two aluminum-bodied Sheridan tanks were destroyed, reduced to melted hulks. Seven ammunition carriers and eleven supply trailers were also demolished. One of the RPG shaped charges had penetrated a tracked ammunition carrier and detonated the artillery shells inside. Four GI’s were killed in the attack and twenty-five seriously wounded. The lost troopers included SP4 Johnny C. Jones, SP4 Jon A. Allen, SP4 Barry F. Scott, and SSGT Arthur J. Rambo. SSGT Rambo was award the Silver Star when he attempted to remove from the area a burning cargo vehicle when it was hit by a second RPG, fatally injuring him. In February 1970, when their sister unit, 2nd Squadron, passed by the location, three months of vines had twirled themselves around the demolished wrecks. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and the book “Into Cambodia” by Keith W. Nolan]

DEAR SPEC 4 ALLEN.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN ARMOR CREWMAN. I HATE THAT YOU DIED SO CLOSE TO YOUR BIRTHDAY.
REST IN PEACE.

Specialist Four Jon Anthony Allen, Served with L Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Calvary Regiment.

THE WAR MAY BE FORGOTTEN BUT THE WARRIOR WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED!!!! REST IN PEACE JON.

Dear SP4 Jon Anthony Allen, 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