THE WALL OF FACES

On January 10, 1968, Mobile Riverine soldiers of the U.S. Army’s 9th Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade engaged in bitter fighting in the Cai Be District in western Dinh Tuong Province, approximately fifty miles southwest of Saigon. The contact targeted the 261st Main Force (VC) Battalion, considered the best equipped and toughest enemy force in the Mekong Delta. The fighting broke out shortly after 1:00 PM as A Company, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry was inserted by helicopter and met stiff resistance when landed in a VC base area. The Americans were caught out in the open by the VC's well-prepared, camouflaged positions and sustained moderate casualties from automatic weapons, small arms, and rifle grenade fire. C Company, 3/60th immediately moved overland toward the battleground and ran into a VC platoon headed in the opposite direction. The U.S. troops forced the enemy to return southward where they were pounded by artillery and air strikes. As the battle progressed into the late afternoon, all elements of 3/60th and the 4/47th plus Company A, 3/47th were drawn into positions completely encircling the enemy forces. Contact ranged from sporadic to heavy until 10:30 PM. Just before midnight, a flotilla of fleeing enemy sampans was hit by U.S. gunship and artillery fire. When the combat ceased, twenty-six enemy bodies were found. Continued sweep operations the next day located twenty-one fresh graves believed to have been from the sampan engagement. U.S. losses were nineteen killed and fifty wounded. The lost personnel included (3rd Bn, 34th Arty) 1LT Edward W. Argy, PVT Norman W. Bates, and PFC Gordon L. Goins (posthumously promoted to Corporal); (HHC, 3/60th) medic PFC Lee R. Birden; (A-3/60th) PFC William B. Cameron, PFC Herman R. Fletcher, SGT David H. Hershberger, SGT Anthony J. Lederer, 1LT Harry P. Mc Falls, PVT Richard W. Shiver, and SP4 Glen A. Zeigler; (C-3/60th) PFC William M. Bridgeford, SSG Willie J. Cottrell, PFC David C. Daily (posthumously promoted to Corporal), SGT Henry J. Doneski, PFC Alex J. Hernandez, SSG Robert L. Hutchison, and SP4 Robert I. Moore; (43rd Inf Plt Scout Dog) SGT Bobby D. Crawford; and (240th Assault Helicopter Company) SP5 Martin D. Klann, the crew chief of a UH-1H (#66-16185) helicopter hit in flight by groundfire. Klann was taken to the 24th Evacuation Hospital where he expired. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “MRF soldiers slay 47 enemy in Delta.” The Old Reliable (9th Inf Div publication), January 24, 1968]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. It saddens me so few have posted remembrances for you here....surely you deserve better. May you rest in eternal peace.

Dear Pfc William Cameron,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. As another summer comes to an end, 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.

Thank you PFC Cameron for your courage in dangerous times, in a dangerous land.

Dear PFC William Burr Cameron, 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