THE WALL OF FACES

Specialist Four Andrew Carl Andersen, Served with Company C, 701st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will never truly die.

Lai Khe Base Camp was located along route QL-13, also known as “Thunder Road,” about thirty miles north of Saigon in Binh Duong Province, RVN. Lai Khe served as base camp for the 1st Infantry Division from 1965-1972 along with several other American units over different periods of time. At 6:00 AM on May 9, 1968, the base received more than 40 rounds of enemy 122mm rocket fire. Six members of C Company, 701st Maintenance Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, were killed when one of the rockets smashed through the tin roof of the hooch they were sleeping in. The lost Americans included SP4 Andrew C. Andersen, SP4 Joseph F. Catt Jr., SP4 Robert L. Cole, SP4 Quentin Hayes, SP4 Phillip L. Lackey, and SP4 Thomas A. Singleton. The projectile reportedly impacted on the concrete floor at the base of Cole’s bed, killing him instantly. The beds of the other five men were in a line and they suffered a combination of fragmentation and blast injuries. Singleton survived the blast but later died of his wounds at the base hospital. At least two others were injured in the incident. Base personnel responded to the attack by placing counter-mortar fire on suspected enemy positions. Results were unknown. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Gerald Winstead (March 2019)]

DEAR SPEC 4 ANDERSEN,
ON THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THOSE OF YOU WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO CELEBRATION. THANKS FOR BEING A COMMUNICATION ELECTRONICS MATERIAL SUPPLY SPECIALIST. I AM A NEW YORKER FROM QUEENS, YOU ARE A NEIGHBOR,
REST IN PEACE.

Dear SP4 Andrew Carl Andersen, 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