THE WALL OF FACES

Private First Class Mark Anthony Chmiel, Served with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

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…..

PFC Mark A. Chmiel was an infantryman serving with A Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. His unit was based at the sprawling Cu Chi Base Camp northwest of Saigon, RVN, the 25th Infantry Division’s headquarters from January 1966 until February 1970. A Company was rarely at Cu Chi, however, as they were constantly deployed in field camps from which they conducted sweeps of the area along the Saigon River, searching for Viet Cong base camps. On the afternoon of January 23, 1967, PFC Chmiel was on a platoon-sized patrol where they were returning to the location of a previous day’s contact with the enemy. In order to expedite their arrival at the location, the lieutenant in charge decided instead of circumventing the shore of a river swollen by the tide, they would enter the water and move directly across it. They placed their packs and rifles in two sampans they found on the shoreline and began working their way across. As they entered deeper water, Chmiel reportedly panicked and tried to scramble onto the sampan when he lost his grip and went into the river. A medic attached to the patrol, PFC Arthur L. Dancy, either attempted to help Chmiel or was pulled under by him. Both men disappeared from sight and were not seen again. The incident caused considerable commotion, with yelling back and forth bringing unwanted attention to the patrol. When it was clear the two men were lost and would not be found, the mission was terminated, and helicopters arrived to pick up the patrol. The next day, the same platoon returned to search for the missing men, arriving on tanks providing security. The tide had dropped the water level significantly, and after a short search, both Chmiel and Dancy were found where they were last seen. Their remains were placed in body bags on the tanks and brought back to their field camp where they were flown out on medivac aircraft. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Larry Wilkinson (June 2020)]

Dear PFC Mark Chmiel,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. You were born on my dad's birthday. Say hi to him in heaven, his name is Sam. Happy Thanksgiving. 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.

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor Mark.