THE WALL OF FACES

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace PFC. Andersen, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family. Semper Fidelis!

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....

Private First Class Barry Frank Andersen, Served with Company B, 1st Amphibious Tractor Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

On November 22, 1965, a platoon of LVTP-5 amphibious tractors from B Company, 1st Amtrac Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, was operating in the coastal waters off Quang Nam Province, RVN. The platoon split into two sections and headed in different directions, each with predetermined drop-off points where they were to sweep local villages for enemy presence. The conditions in the water were very windy, and the vehicles battled a strong current as they traversed the mouth of the Ca De River. One of the tractors, B-3-1, lost power when its engine was swamped by water. Unable to restart the motor, another track maneuvered over and hooked a tow cable to assist the crippled 40-ton tractor. The line then broke, and B-3-1 sank. Nine Marines were drowned in the incident. The lost Marines included PFC Barry F. Andersen, PFC Michael A. Beringer, LCPL Richard R. Bigley, PFC John D. Campbell, PFC Darell G. Freeman, CPL Billy W. Hedge, CPL Vilis Lisments, SSGT Moses C. Tabor, and LCPL Richard G. Wick. Navy divers recovered the remains of Andersen, Bigley, Freeman, Hedge, Lisment, and Wick on December 16, 1965. Tabor’s remains were recovered December 21st. B-3-1 was pulled from the water several weeks later. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Charles Caldwell (January 2018)]

DEAR PFC ANDERSEN,
ON THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THOSE OF YOU WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO CELEBRATION. THANKS FOR BEING AN ASSAULT AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE CREWMAN, REST IN PEACE. SEMPER FI.