THE WALL OF FACES

This is his boot camp photo from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Platoon 196. He earned the title “U.S. Marine” on January 12, 1965.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice to our great country my brother. Semper Fi

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...

Private First Class Stephen Paul Alsted was a Marine Rifleman, age 19, born April 19, 1946, from Des Moines, IA. PFC Alsted arrived in Vietnam with Hotel Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), III MAF, FMFPac. On March 4, Operation UTAH was launched under the command of Task Force Delta in the Son Thinh District of Quang Ngai Province where the Marines would encounter elements of the 21st NVA Regiment. On D-day 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines conducted a helicopter assault near the Chau Ngai complex of villages and was heavily engaged with a regiment of NVA regulars near Hill 50 and Hill 35. Elements of F Company and H Company were overrun but were able to recover and consolidate to a night position near Chau Ngai 4. By the end of D-Day, 2/7 counted 94 enemy KIA and estimated 63 WIA. Friendly losses were 44 KIA and 84 WIA. An additional 20+ persons received minor wounds and were not evacuated. The next day, 5 March, the battle moved to the North and 2/7 cleaned up the battlefields from the day before, recovering the dead, and clearing out caves and bunkers.On March 4, 1966, PFC Alsted was killed in action dying outright from enemy small arms fire. PFC Alsted is interred at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Des Moines and is honored on the Vietnam Memorial on Panel 05E, Line 098.

First in our class to make the ultimate sacrifice not to mention one of the first from Des Moines, Ia. I visit your gravesite a couple times a year if for no other than to make sure you have a fresh flag of the country you served beyond requirement! Phil 1:3 (KJV)

Steve,
You are not forgotten, even after all these years.