THE WALL OF FACES

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Firebase Katum was a U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) base northeast of Tay Ninh, Tay Ninh Province, RVN. The base received frequent artillery and mortar fire from the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army leading to it being nicknamed “Kaboom.” On July 3, 1970, during monsoon rain conditions, the firebase was subjected to a mortar and sapper attack. One mortar round, possibly directed at the communications tent beside it, landed inside a tent occupied by members of the 588th Engineer Battalion. The round hit the PSP floor next to the cot SP4 John W. Carper Jr. was sleeping in. Carper was fatally injured after being hit by metal fragments. Another Engineer in the tent, PFC Donald D. Campbell, was also killed after being hit in the right chest area. At the time of his death, Carper was seven days short of completing a year’s service in Vietnam. Campbell was posthumously promoted to Corporal. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Dan Shelton (December 2018)]

Dear SP4 John Carper,
Thank you for your service as a Construction Equipment Repairer. You have silver and bronze medals too, sigh. 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 SP4 John W Carper Jr, 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