THE WALL OF FACES

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

My grandma and grandpa’s youngest son. He was loved by so many. He was the 8th out of 9 children. I remember the party we had for him when he left for the war, I was 7 years old. His brothers and sisters loved him dearly.
Thank you Dickey

On December 31, 1967, C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division was conducting a routine tactical road march from Blackhorse Base Camp in Phuoc Tuy Province, RVN, thirty-six miles south to Vung Tau to conduct a road security mission. Two platoons of armored vehicles moved out at 3:00 AM on Highway QL-2 for a planned rendezvous with a convoy they were to escort back to Blackhorse. Each platoon consisted of a M48A3 Patton tank and M113 armored cavalry assault vehicles (ACAV’s) accompanied by command and maintenance vehicles. The tanks led the way, intermittently using driving lights and searchlights to illuminate and observe along the sides of the road. About five miles south of Blackhorse, as the last vehicle, a mortar carrier, leveled off over a slight rise on a straight section of QL-2, the tank at the front of the column was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), killing the driver and stopping the tank. An ambush was sprung along the entire length of the column as a hail of RPG’s quickly set afire the leading vehicles while intense small arms fire killed most of the men riding atop vehicles. The trailing mortar carrier was hit by a command detonated mine, exploding mortar ammunition and destroying the vehicle. The second tank was also hit by an RPG round, ran off the road, blew up, and burned. The surprise was so complete that no organized fire was returned. When individual vehicles attempted to return fire, the enemy concentrated fire on that one vehicle until it stopped firing. Within ten minutes, the fight was over. The results were devastating. At daybreak, the battered and burned hulks lay scatted along the road. Of eleven vehicles, four ACAV’s and one tank were destroyed, and three ACAV’s and one tank were severely damaged. The two platoons suffered forty-two casualties, including thirteen killed. They included PFC James A. Blankenship, SP4 Dickey Chamblee, SGT David L. Drought, SGT Joseph L. Farmer, PFC Henry M. Hale, PFC Patrick L. Hall (died of wounds 01/11/1968), SP4 Gary O. Hedin (died of wounds 01/10/1968) SP4 Cecil B. Jones Jr., PFC Moses J. Lewis (posthumously promoted to Corporal), PFC Ernest D. Marcum, PFC Robert E. Murphy Jr. (died of wounds 01/01/1968), PFC Jose Santana Jr. (posthumously promoted to Corporal), and PFC James E. Thompson. No enemy were reported killed or wounded. [Taken from virtual wall.org and “Mounted Combat in Vietnam” by Donn A. Starry]

Dear Sp4 Dickey Chamblee,
Thank you for your service as a Light-Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. This is the month that we remember all those who have passed-on. We remember you. It is so 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 never got to meet him as he died before I was born.

Mr. Pounds, I read your message and thank you, Sir, for your service as you are my new hero and thank you for posting these pictures of my uncle Dickey Lee Chamblee as I did not have any pictures of him, but now thanks to you, I do!!!! I have only seen 1 picture of him that my aunt had; however, she has now passed on and I do not have a copy. Thank you for sharing your story and the pictures of him!!!!

Mr. Brown, I can see why he was your friend. You must be a wonderful man to remember such a thing about him and thank you for the beautiful things you said about my uncle!!! Much love and may God bless you as well, Sir!!!

Mr. Carter, I'm speechless. That was very beautiful and I couldn't have said it better myself, sir. Thank you so very much!!!

Mr. Grite, Thank you for remembering!!!

Amanda, He would've been very humbled by your message, as would his parents and would have felt blessed that you took the time to leave such a message for their son. Thank you!!!

Thank you to all who served or who are currently serving! Thank you all for the kind messages in remembrance of my uncle! May God bless you and your families!!!