THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. While all deaths in Vietnam are tragic that you perished as you did is especially sad. May you rest in eternal peace.

I met Jim during the USAF Security Police AZR course before
leaving for Vietnam. We knew we would be stationed together
upon arrival. To top off our friendship we ended up working
together and became really good friends. Upon our arrival at
China Beach that day Jim we were walking the coastline and Jim me that this was the first time he was ever at a ocean.
He wanted me to take a picture of him before he entered the
water. I snapped the picture walked toward our picnic and then heard the guys yelling Jim went under.
50 years ago. A very sad day for all of us.

Dear A1C James Clossen,
Thank you for your service in the Police Squadron. December is here, 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.

I was a marine stationed at Marble Mountain air base in Vietnam in 1969. i believe the recovery record for James is incorrect. I was walking on the beach toward our NCO club at Marble Mountain when I saw what I thought was a guy sunbathing on the beach. I later observed from inside the club that this person had not moved since I last saw him. I approached him and it was obvious he was deceased. I notified our medical unit and they recovered the body. I was later told it was a service member that had drowned a couple of days earlier at China Beach. The official version is that the Navy recovered him ten days later. I could not find a record of anyone else drowning at China Beach during that period, so I believe it must have been James. I did not know him in life, but I've thought of him often over the years and I'm so sorry for the loss endured by his family. I hope this does not bring up any bad memories, but I felt I needed to correct the record.

A1C James S. Closson was a security policeman serving with the 366th Security Police Squadron. On January 12, 1969, A1C Closson was recreational swimming at China Beach in Quang Nam Province, RVN, while his unit was having a cookout when he was caught in the undertow. He drowned in the incident. His body was recovered. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vvmf.org]