THE WALL OF FACES

During the period from February through April 1968, the 101st Airborne Division conducted combat operations in three of the four Corps Tactical Zones in the Republic of Vietnam, as well as the Capital Military District around Saigon. Elements of the Division fought Viet Cong, North Vietnamese Regulars, and local force units from the marshy rice lands southeast of Saigon to the mountainous jungles west of Hue. Following the launch of the Tet Offensive, the Division served as a Reaction Force, ready to deploy on a moment's notice to any location in Vietnam. The 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment was deployed to Phuoc Vinh Base Camp in Binh Duong Province to support combat operations north of the capital. On March 29, 1968, an accidental shooting incident at Phuoc Vinh took the life of a cook from Headquarters & Headquarters Company (HHC), 1/506th. Food service specialist SP4 Carl L. Carson sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen when another’s weapon was inadvertently discharged. Carson was transported to the 93rd Evacuation Hospital on Long Binh Post where he expired the same evening. An investigation was opened to gather facts about his death; however, it is unclear what outcome it produced as the Army generally provided very little details regarding such incidents. Carson, an Army volunteer, was 18 years old. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org and “Operational Report of the 101st Airborne Division for the period ending 30 April 1968” at archive.org]

Image courtesy of Redbird Research LLC, Saint Charles, MO.

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. I am 73 and have lived a long and fulfilling life. It is tragic you never had that same opportunity. May you rest in eternal peace.

On the remembrance of your 71st birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Forever 18.

HOOAH