THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your brother Rick is touching. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us…..

PFC Robert S. Clements and SP4 James I. McCarthy Jr. were infantrymen serving with 3rd Platoon, B Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. On November 29, 1969, they were part of a platoon-sized reconnaissance patrol one mile northeast of Plei Mrong near the Cambodian border in Pleiku Province, RVN. The patrol got an early start, traversed several rice paddies, then entered an area heavily vegetated with bamboo. While stopped for a lunch break, the platoon leader requested artillery fire placed in the heavy brush to their front. Three marker rounds sailed overhead before a final round of HE (high explosive) was fired. The last one made a queer swishing, jet-like sound as it went by. It landed short, near where Clements and McCarthy had set down to eat C-rations. A thunderous explosion occurred, followed by a column of smoke that filled the tropical air with the sharp smell of sulfur. The errant round killed McCarthy and severely wounded Clements. Despite the carnage, the platoon responded immediately, the medic and an assistant attending to Clements while others prepared a landing zone for a medivac aircraft. It took only minutes for the evacuation helicopter to arrive, and the two troopers were placed aboard. After completing their grim task, the platoon continued its patrol. Clements expired later that day. An investigation into the incident by a Board of Inquiry found that defective ammunition caused the round to fall short. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “A shared grief: Web's brotherhood of Vietnam veterans eases a younger brother's loss” by Nancy Bartley, Seattle Times, May 26, 2002; also, information provided by David N. Muxo at dnmuxo.com]

You know how much your sacrifice has meant and I know you look over your family and love them deeply. Thank you and thank you to the Clements family for your Son/Brother/Father sacrifice.

Dear PFC Robert Clements,
Thank you for your service as am 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.

Dear PFC Robert Steven Clements, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter