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 the remembrance of your 70th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

On the remembrance of your 69th Birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Dear Sgt Randall Clements,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. December has begun, along with all the preparations. 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.

SGT Randall K. Clements was an infantryman serving with A Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. SGT Clements’ unit was based at the Army airbase at Chu Lai from where they launched patrols into the mountains west of the airfield. A Company usually conducted 7-10 day search and destroy missions meant to interdict any NVA and Viet Cong activities or supplies. On September 27, 1971, during one of its patrols, A Company encountered a large cache they found at a NVA camp rooted into the side of a steep hill. Items discovered included, back packs, personal belongings, and still smoldering fires, suggesting the NVA had made a hasty retreat before the Americans arrived. While examining the enemy supplies, three-man patrols were sent out to provide security around A Company’s position. Clements and two other riflemen made up one of the patrols. As Clements’ team maneuvered through the jungle, an explosion occurred. Apparently, Clements triggered a booby-trap. A Company troopers responding to the blast found Clements dead and his two companions wounded, one critically. The troopers were never able to determine what kind of device was triggered. They also had difficulty understanding why Clements was dead since there was no discernable injury to him. After examining their fallen comrade closer, a single wound to his head was found where a small fragment of shrapnel had fatally injured him. A Company’s RTO (radio telephone operator) had difficulty calling in a medivac for the fallen soldiers due to reception issues. Once overhead, the medivac helicopter tried lowering a litter (rescue basket) through the triple-canopy jungle but was unsuccessful. Next, they dropped a jungle penetrator and removed the two wounded to a nearby Army camp where they were stabilized before being sent to the Army hospital in Chu Lai. The medivac returned with the penetrator to extract Clements. His comrades watched as his lifeless body was lifted up, their last glimpse of him with extremities splayed out as he disappeared through the leafy canopy. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Howard Sands]