THE WALL OF FACES

Throughout the month of August 1968, the 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 50th Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade was assigned the mission of securing National Route QL-19 through the Soui Ca Valley near Camp Radcliff in Binh Dinh Province, RVN. Several intelligence reports were received of Viet Cong (VC) and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) moving through the area. Indications were that the enemy was planning to attack highway and bridge sites along QL-19. At 2:45 AM on August 24th, Bridge 26 came under heavy ground attack from the south by an estimated reinforced platoon. The enemy fired small arms, automatic weapons, M79, and rocket-propelled grenade rounds. The initial volley of rocket fire struck the command bunker at the bridge, killing the platoon leader and two enlisted men from Scout Platoon, A Company, 1/50th. Supporting fire was called into the area, and friendly artillery rounds began falling eight minutes after the attack began. The enemy overran the western end of the bridge within six minutes as fighting, including hand-to-hand combat, took place between elements of a Scout Platoon and VC on the bridge. Wounded were carried to Bridge 25 to be evacuated. Bridge 26 was retaken and secured at 3:30 AM. The attack resulted in three U.S. deaths and six wounded out of the eleven men on bridge security detail. The lost personnel included platoon leader 1LT Daniel O. Abernathy, PVT Albert R. Gutierrez Jr., and SP4 Thomas F. Herkins. Their remains were removed to the 17th Field Hospital at Camp Radcliff where they were turned over to medical personnel. Both enlisted men received posthumous promotions: Herkins was promoted to Sergeant, and Gutierrez was advanced to Private First Class. Ten enemy satchel charges were found on the bridge. No enemy bodies were located, but large pools of blood and heavy blood trails were found on and near the bridge site. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “History of 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 50th Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 1 July 1968 – 30 September 1968” at ichiban1.org]

We still miss Danny after all these years. His death came as the biggest shock to many of his friends. We gave our son, Scott, his middle name of Daniel. He carries that proudly!

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 truly die.

First Lieutenant Daniel Owen Abernathy, Served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

The war may be forgotten but the warrior will always be remembered. All gave Some-Some gave All. Rest in peace Sky Soldier.