THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

Firebase 29 was a 4th Infantry Division firebase located near the Montagnard village of Ben Het on Hill 824 in Kotum Province in the mountainous tri-border area of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. On May 25, 1968, the 1/8th Infantry was involved in a fight with the North Vietnamese Army’s (NVA) 95C and 101D regiments at Firebase 29 and other nearby firebases. The attack was preceded by a constant mortar and artillery barrage. Day and night, enemy rounds fell like rain on FSB 29. The NVA fired 75mm recoilless rifles from adjacent hilltops followed by a two-week-long barrage of Russian-supplied 152mm artillery out of Laos just three miles away. The 152’s were big rounds and came in with a horrible shriek. The NVA gunners aimed for the U.S. artillery batteries on the hilltop, and the infantry units were forced to live like moles in trenches and deep bunkers. During the battle, the enemy penetrated the perimeter and occupied six bunkers, turning two of the base’s own artillery pieces on its defenders. Supported by U.S. Air Force fixed-wing gunships and jets dropping napalm, the Americans counterattacked and regained the bunkers and firing positions. The NVA continued to fire mortar and recoilless rifle rounds throughout the day with losses to the U.S. forces totaling fourteen dead, fifty-six wounded, and two missing. The 1/8th personnel killed included SP4 Fred D. Carter Jr., SP4 Nicholes W. Charles, PFC James L. Harris (MIA, ID’ed June 5th), PFC Mason Nixon Jr., SSG Robert L. Smith, PFC Ernest C. Williams Jr., PFC William D. Wilson (posthumously promoted to Corporal), and PFC Robert E. Zeske; also killed was PFC James D. Hodges from 6/29 Arty. Enemy losses were 129 killed, two captured, and fifty-two small arms recovered. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, “Remembering the Mini-Tet Offensive” by Joe Barrera, May 28, 2018, at gazette.com, and the book “Where We Were in Vietnam” by Michael P. Kelley; also, information provided by Ron Lapointe (February 2021)]

Dear Sp4 Nicholas Charles,
Thank you for your service as an Indirect Fire Infantryman. 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.

Dear SP4 Nicholes William Charles, 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

Nicholes is buried at Maple Grove Cemetery, Fremont,MI.