THE WALL OF FACES

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

Private First Class Michael Byron Alvarez, Served with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade. 101st Airborne Division, United States Army Vietnam.

DEAR PFC ALVAREZ,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN AIRBORNE QUALIFIED GRUNT.
REST IN PEACE.

On April 21, 1968, members of 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division were deployed in a night position on the north bank of the Song Be River, about 7 miles southeast of Phuoc Vinh Air Field. A friendly howitzer battery in the vicinity was providing fire support for the paratroopers. Four 155mm rounds, however, fell short of their objective and struck the American’s position. Six paratroopers were killed in the incident, and at least 19 were wounded. The American losses included PFC Michael B. Alvarez, PFC Ronald D. Griffin, PFC Robert L. Johnson, SP5 Kenneth E. Kotyluk, SP4 Felix Vazquez, and SP4 Walter R. Winder. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Michael was 19 years old. He was best friends with my brother-in-law and my husband and had just married a couple of weeks before being sent to Vietnam. I remember all of us sitting in our livingroom the Sunday before Mike left. We all kidded around and joked about when he would come home. Even though Mike was scared he didn't dodge the draft and 6 weeks later he was killed in action. Mike was so young, had a great personality and a wife waiting for him.

My husband and his 3 brothers are gone now too, but Mike was the first. He never had a chance to live. He willingly gave his life for our country in an unpopular war.