THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. May you rest in eternal peace.

Operation Junction City was a joint United States and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) military action to locate the elusive “headquarters” of the Communist uprising in South Vietnam, the Central Office of South Vietnam (COSVN). The 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, began participation in Junction City on D-Day+1 (February 23, 1967) when it was airlifted from the headquarters of the 1st Infantry Division at Lai Khe to Suoi Da in Tay Ninh Province, RVN. There it had a two-fold mission: to serve as the reserve battalion for 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, and provide a portion of the Suoi Da defenses. The battalion moved out the following day to secure Highway QL-4 in its assigned sector and conduct search and destroy operations. On March 5th, elements of A Company, 1/16, were in a roadside night defensive position near Suoi Da when a friendly tank went out of control and ran over their location. One infantryman, SP4 Frederick Burris, died after suffering crush injuries. His body was removed to Tay Ninh Combat Base to a 196th Light Infantry Brigade evacuation hospital where he was pronounced dead by a medical officer. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Operation Junction City Vietnam 1967 Battle Book” Advanced Battle Analysis, U. S. Army Command and General Staff College, 1983]

2 Vietnam Veterans cam to my school to give a presentation, It was really interesting learning about you and everything you did, Thank you for your service and your bravery, it means a lot that you were fighting for people you may have not even know and sacrificed your life to save others, Once again Thank you for your service.

It was an honor to learn about you, your service to our country, and your sacrifice for freedom.

I donated today at the street fair in Suffern, NY and received a star off of the flag flown in honor of Mr. Burris. I never knew the man and have no relation to him, but just wanted to say i am honored and humbled to have this piece of history. Thank for your service sir, may you rest in peace.