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.

On the night of January 1-2, 1968, the 2-22 Infantry (Mechanized), 3-22 Infantry, and the 2-77 Artillery for 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry, were involved in a massive human wave attack by four battalions of North Vietnam Army (NVA) and Viet Cong (VC) at Fire Support Base Burt in Tay Ninh Province, RVN. After skirmishes the previous day suggested a significant enemy build up near the base, enemy 60mm mortars began falling inside of the base perimeter at 11:30 PM on January 1st. Approximately 200 rounds total would fall on the base. The main force of the attack began at one minute after midnight, beginning on the northern portion of the perimeter. Almost simultaneously, a heavy attack of rocket-propelled grenades (RPG’s), machine guns, and small arms opened up on the southern portion of the base. Within minutes, the eastern perimeter was also attacked by a large force with RPG’s, machine guns, small arms, and grenades, as they attempted to penetrate the company perimeter. The VC continued to cover their attack with 60mm mortar fire. All US personnel not occupying listening posts or ambushes defended from sandbagged bunkers. Between 1:00 AM to 2:30 AM, 105mm “beehive” anti-personnel rounds were requested and fired along Company C perimeter to blunt the frontal assault occurring there. Fierce close-in fighting continued until approximately 5:00 AM, when the VC began to withdraw, leaving behind their dead and wounded. By 6:30, the fighting had nearly stopped, with only occasional sniper and some automatic weapons fire. The Americans were victorious in repulsing the attack. Over 400 NVA and VC were killed with U.S. losses at 23 killed and 153 wounded. The lost Americans included PFC Ronnie E. Ballard, 2LT John W. Beckett, SP4 Thomas G. Bernardy, SGT Robert E. Bowman, PFC Houston C. Box Jr., SP4 Robert L. Campbell, SGT Kenneth B. Carpenter, SP4 Ennis E. Crow, SSG Fred C. DuBose III, SP4 Eldon Garamillo, SGT James J. Lind, SP4 James W. McCaffrey, PFC Jack W. Miller, PFC Willie Petty Jr., PFC Samuel Rivera-Fernandez, PFC Ralph L. Rotter, SGT Anderson L. Ruderson, SP4 David R. Smith, PFC Odell Stokes Jr., CPL Abel C. Stroud III, PFC Victor D. Tomczyk, CPL Alton L. Watkins Jr., and CPL Bobby J. Winkler. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vietnamtripledeuce.org]

Dear Sgt Kenneth Carpenter,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. 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 strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear SGT Kenneth Braxton Carpenter, 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

Rest in peace with the warriors.