THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. May you rest in eternal peace.

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

Dear PFC Gregorio Castillo,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. 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.

I am honored to have been chosen as the reader of Pfc. Castillo's name during the 35th anniversary ceremony of "The Wall". I was in the bush (RTO in 1st platoon) with Co. A the night of the mortar/small arms fire attack.

Operation Iron Mountain was a unilateral and combined operations with ARVN and provincial forces in the Quang Ngai Province to find, fix and destroy enemy main force and local force units in the 11th Brigade’s TAOR (Tactical Area of Responsibility) and TAOI (Tactical Area of Interest) and to interdict enemy supply and communication lines. On September 21, 1969, Alpha Company 4-3 Infantry used a night defense position which they had previously occupied during the operation. Unbeknownst to them, the enemy had bracketed the position, and at 1905 hours their location received thirty 82mm mortar rounds and small arms fire from all around perimeter. Three of the mortar rounds landed directly in fox holes. Alpha Company initially reported four U.S. KHA (killed hostile action) and five WHA (wounded hostile action). At 2000 hours that report was amended when Alpha Company added seven more KHA and six more WHA for a total of eleven U.S. KHA and eleven U.S. WHA. All eleven KHA had been occupying the foxholes bracketed by the mortar fire. The first dustoff (medical evacuation by helicopter) for six U.S. WHA was completed at 2000 hours. At 2100 hours, Alpha Company reported the 11 KHA and 10 WHA were dusted off with one WHA remaining in the field due to minor wounds. The KHA personnel included SFC Joe A. Foster Jr., SGT Wilfredo B. Andrada, SP4 Henry M. Stewart Jr., CPL Dennis L. Bartlebaugh, CPL Davitt J. Franks, SP4 Larry C. Hathcock, PFC Thomas L. Larson, PFC Michael J. Pacheco, PVT Gregorio P. Castillo, PVT Steven V. Elting (medic on loan from Bravo Company 4/3), and PFC Carl A. Dean. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, 1-20infantry.org, and americal4ofthe3.com]