THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will never die...

Operation Putnam Tiger was a 4th Infantry Division combat operation conducted April 22 to September 22, 1969, in Kontum and Pleiku Provinces, RVN. On the morning of June 5th, D Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry engaged an enemy force of unknown size nine miles southwest of Kontum City. The Americans received small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire and fought back with unit weapons with support from helicopter gunships and artillery. The six-hour battle ended when the enemy withdrew, leaving thirty-three of his dead. U.S. losses were eleven killed and thirty-five wounded. The lost D/1-12 personnel included PFC Frederick A. Allmeyer (died of wounds 06/06/1969), SGT Louie F. Dalie, PFC Frederick J. Henry, PFC Thomas G. Horal, PVT David T. Howard (posthumously promoted to Private First Class), PFC Claudie Metcalf, SP4 Lawrence E. Paulsen (posthumously promoted to Sergeant), PFC Mack L. Preston Jr., SP4 Alexander P. Santiago Jr., and PFC Thomas J. Williams (posthumously promoted to Corporal). A medic from Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC) who was embedded with C/1-12, PFC Paul R. Tilleman, also died. His remains were found the next day. Evidently, Tilleman left the C Company perimeter to retrieve his rifle after helping with the D Company casualties. He got lost in the dark, wandered in a large circle, then hunkered down in tall grass when an artillery round, fired by a friendly force, impacted the ground next to him. He was less than a hundred meters away from the tattered Delta Company perimeter. Next to him lay his unscathed aid bag. He was carried in a poncho back to the perimeter and placed on the ground next to the other fallen men. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and redwarriors.us]

Freddie,
I played in band with you way back in high school (CHS). I think about you more often than I understand. I remember Mr. B crying when he discovered you were gone from us. You left a huge hole on earth when you left us. Thank you for being the brave and courageous person that you were.

PFC Allmeyer, this tribute is to say ‘thank you’ for your sacrifice for our country. You gave your all for our freedoms. May you always be remembered. Rest In Peace, Soldier. HOOAH!

DEAR PFC ALLMEYER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN ARMY GRUNT.
REST IN PEACE.