THE WALL OF FACES

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

Served with and was killed along with my Uncle.

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

On June 5, 1967, Third Platoon, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division was running a search and destroy mission along Highway QL-1 in Quang Ngai Province, RVN. Primarily a function of denying the enemy the opportunity to operate freely, Third Platoon was also providing security for an engineer party assigned to repair National Route 1A (Highway QL-1). Around mid-afternoon, the platoon began crossing a bridge three miles northwest of Duc Pho. As the point element neared the end of the span, an enormous explosion occurred. The blast caused a massive upsurge of water to rise from the river as an estimated 250 lb. bomb was detonated from just beneath its surface. Three members of the point element were killed instantly, their bodies torn to pieces and thrown into the water. Another six to eight were wounded from shrapnel and road material, several of them also tossed into river. The rest of the 25-man platoon were soaked by water, many covered in mud, and most suffering from a temporary hearing loss. Chaos reigned initially as Third Platoon tried to regain its bearings. Medivacs were called and soon began landing on the adjacent road. Those tossed in the river were recovered, and remains of the three KIA’s were collected. When order was reestablished, more helicopters arrived, and the shaken troopers were flown to LZ Liz. Within half an hour, Vietnamese civilians began using the bridge, undaunted by a large chunk of roadway taken out of one of the lanes. In the following days, a Navy diving team searched for missing equipment lost in the river; one M60 machine gun was never found. Several weeks later, while back at Duc Pho Base Camp, a memorial service was held in honor of 2nd Battalion’s fallen troopers, including the three killed in the bridge explosion: PFC John M. Astley, PFC Edward A. Cabrera, and PFC Larry D. Good. Cabrera was posthumously promoted to Corporal. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Report, U.S. Army, 2nd Battalion 35th Infantry - Operational Report for Quarterly Period ending 31 July 1967 - Operation Baker, 01 May to 31 July 1967” at ttu.edu; also, information provided by Tom Connors (March 2020)]

Dear Cpl Edward Cabrera,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Today is my Mom's birthday, say hi to her, her name is Rose. 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.