THE WALL OF FACES

Although we never got to meet, I grew up hearing about you, cousin Ernie. My dad , your uncle Robert was so proud of you and always talked about you. I’ve told my children about their cousin. You will never be forgotten cousin.

Fire Support Base Whisman was located on the south slope of Dong Cho Mountain, immediately southeast of Dan Ban Heliport in Quang Tri Province, RVN. Base construction began May 29, 1969, by 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division during Operation Cameron Falls (May 29 – June 23, 1969), a 2/9 and 3/9 Marines operation targeting elements of the 304th North Vietnamese Army (NVA) Division attempting to reestablish a presence south of National Route QL-9. The 2/9 Marines rapidly and wisely selected positions for the defense of the fire support base, placing wire, fighting holes, obstacles, claymores mines, and tripflares in their protective defense plan. The NVA was displeased with this development, and in an unusual move, attacked Whisman within hours of its completion on June 1st. The 2:15 AM assault began when a small enemy force attempting to probe the base hit a listening post, placing heavy machine gun fire on the position, killing two Marines and alerting the fire base. The NVA pressed the attack, employing rocket propelled grenades (RPG’s), rifle grenades, heavy machine guns, automatic weapons, satchel charges, and Chicom grenades. Company G suppressed the assault, bringing to bear all unit personnel and weapons against the rampaging enemy. Blunted by the American’s well-prepared defenses and forceful response, the NVA withdrew, pursued by a platoon from G Company which captured one “Chieu Hoi” (NVA defector). Three Marines were killed during the fighting and six others were wounded requiring evacuation. The lost personnel included riflemen Pfc Ernest Abeyta and Pfc Darrell V. Peck, and machine gunner Pfc David A. Brack. Another 19 Marines sustained lesser injuries not requiring evacuation. Enemy losses were 19 killed with three prisoners of war (POWs) captured. The three POWs were badly wounded, and two died shortly after being apprehended; the third was medivacked to Quang Tri following a brief interrogation. An assortment of enemy equipment was also captured, including RPG launchers, heavy machine guns, rifles, grenades, Bangalore torpedoes, miscellaneous medical equipment, and documents. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “U.S. Marines in Vietnam: High Mobility and Standdown 1969” by Charles R. Smith]

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt, "Citizen in a Republic", April 23, 1910

Private First Class Ernest Abeyta, Served with Company G, 2nd Battalion,9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

DEAR PFC ABEYTA,

THIS IS INDEPENDENCE WEEKEND. AS WE CELEBRATE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE THE ULTIMATE.

THANK YOU.
REST IN PEACE.