THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Cpl Otis Carthage,
I hope your photo is put here because this is a wall of faces and yours should be here too. Thanks for your service as an Infantryman. I hate that you died near your birthday. 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.

The correct name of the cemetery was Oak Ridge.

A little after midnight on December 28, 1969, Viet Cong sappers attacked the northern perimeter of Alpha Company who were hunkered down in foxholes they dug the afternoon before in the Ho Bo Woods in Binh Duong Province 20 km north of Cu Chi. The three VC sappers snuck up on 3-6’s position and threw satchel charges and hand grenades and fired Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) into 3-6’s foxhole and the foxholes to the west. They then opened up with AK-47’s. A total of eight members of the third platoon were killed. They included 2LT John W. Foreman, SGT Robert L. Emery, CPL Terry A. Thornton, CPL Charles E. Merritt, SP4 Danial “Whitey” G. Heiderich, CPL Allen R. Rader, CPL Otis Carthage Jr., and CPL Roger D. Cox. [Taken from i-kirk.info/2nd14th]

Dear CPL Otis Carthage 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

Otis Carthage Jr., funeral service was held Sunday January 4, 1970 at Zion Grove Baptist Church with burial in Oak Ridge Cemetery Northport Alabama. He was the son of Rev. Otis and Minnie Carthage. Published in the Tuscaloosa News.

Throughout our history America has been built, on the blood of Heroes, and Brave Men of Honor like Otis Carthage. Thank you Sir for your service to our Country; you are a true American Hero remembered by me; a grateful American and I'm sure remembered by other Americans of a FREE Nation.