THE WALL OF FACES

On the morning of 2 July 1967, Alpha and Bravo Companies, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines made their way up north on Highway 561 and secured a crossroad as their first objective. As they went further north between Gia Binh and An Kha, near a location called " The Market Place " (16.927°N 107.00°E) they made contact with the elements of the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 90th Regiment when sniper fire began to break out. Enemy fire intensified as efforts were made by the 3rd Platoon to suppress it. Tri-directional ambushes had virtually decimated company B. Alpha Company, sent to rescue Company B was ambushed. During the battle the PAVN used flamethrowers in combat for the first time setting fire to hedgerows along Highway 561 forcing the Marines out into the open, exposing them to artillery, mortar and small arms fire, causing heavy casualties on A and B Companies preventing them from linking up. B Company Headquarters was wiped out when a single PAVN artillery round exploded within the command group. The company commander, Captain STERLING KITCHENER COATES, two platoon leaders, the radio operator, forward observer and several others were killed that day.

=========================

" Coatsy " arrived at " Canoe U. " from Plymouth, Pennsylvania, after a year of preparation at Wyoming Seminary. As usual he was holding his trumpet in one arm and a girl in the other. Plebe Year was a success for Coatsy as a member of the gym team, and he played for hops with the NA-IO. He also performed with the Masqueraders and the Antiphonal Choir. The academic departments lost many battles with him, but the Blue Dragon always won. The service will profit by having him as an officer and it will be a pleasure to serve with him in any capacity.

=========================

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE

SEMPER FIDELIS

R E M E M B R A N C E

Why is it that the best of the best seem to be the ones that die. You were truly one of those and I thank you for you sacrifice.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Information about Captain Sterling Kitchener Coates, USNA Class of 1961, USMC, from the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Virtual Memorial Wall is at this website link:

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/STERLING_K._COATES,_CAPT,_USMC

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. You gave everything you had to give. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.