THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever....

On May 9, 1968, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, was the point company in a battalion-sized operation pursuing North Vietnamese Army elements that had threatened the Marine combat base at Dong Ha in Quang Tri Province, RVN. Advancing from a night defensive position northwest of the Marine base, Delta moved out along the center of a low gully in a westerly direction. As the company pushed forward, a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire was received from NVA units concealed in fortified positions. In addition to their many machine gun bunkers, the NVA used both rockets and mortars to harass the movement of the Marines attempting to return fire. Delta Company was reinforced by Charlie Company during the assault, and Bravo Company with tanks provided a base of fire. The attack continued, and with the help of the tanks, the NVA were pushed out of the ville. The battalion and Delta Company recovered casualties and took night defensive positions around the ville. The night was long with the crying of village women and the silhouette of the dead Marines gathered together waiting for daybreak and their helicopter flight back to Dong Ha. During the engagement, the battalion suffered about 50 killed and wounded. Delta Company sustained the most casualties, including the Company Commander, CAPT Edward J. Hughes Jr., who was killed by enemy gunshot wounds to the head and body. The following Delta Company Marines were lost in the engagement: LCPL Kurtis N. Chapman, PFC Eugenio E. Fernandez Jr., PFC Edward A. Gillaspy, LCPL Homer Mitchell Jr., HM3 Winston Parker, LCPL Jack E. Porter, LCPL Robert P. Sickles, and PFC Billy G. Stewart. Further Marine casualties included (from C Company) LCPL Larry E. Adolf, (from A Company) tank crewman CPL Robert N. Minetto, who suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the neck; and (from H&S Company) radioman CPL Paul L. Frederickson and Hospital Corpsmen HM3 Winston G. Parker and HN Melvin G. Windham. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and togetherweserved.com]

Dear Lcpl Kurtis Chapman,
Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. 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.

This man was a hero. He lost his sister at 14 and she was only 12. He lost his mother on 30 March 1964 at 16. He was enrolled at Kansas University in Lawrence, KS, as a Freshman in the Fall of 1966. He was in ROTC and ready to serve his country. I discovered he graduated from Gwinn High School, Marquette, Michigan. His father was an active duty officer at the air force base.
Thanks to the Library Director, Leslie Makela, Forsyth Township Public Library, for Kurt's senior picture. A young life gone but not forgotten.

Dear LCPL Kurtis Nolan Chapman, 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, Sir

Curt Carter