THE WALL OF FACES

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

Operation Desoto was a U.S. Marine Corps operation that took place in Duc Pho District in Quang Tin Province, RVN, between January 27 and April 7, 1967. The plan was for the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines to assume the defense of Duc Pho District from the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), which instead would concentrate on pacification. On the first day of the operation, Marine helicopters lifted Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines and four 105mm howitzers and crews of Battery I, 12th Marines to Nui Dang and Nui Dau, two prominent hills adjacent to Duc Pho, where they established a base camp with a Command Post (CP) and Logistic Support Area (LSA). During the next months, 3rd Battalion conducted daily company- and platoon-sized search and destroy missions from these positions, forcing the Viet Cong (VC) to abandon attempts to defend nearby hamlets. In early morning of March 24th, the VC attacked the CP and LSA, launching an estimated 250 rounds of 60mm and 82mm mortar and 57mm and 75mm recoilless rifle fire at the base. The Marines responded within minutes with counter-mortar and counter-battery fire on previously designated coordinates where muzzle flashes were being observed. The VC answered by firing some seventy rounds into the artillery revetments, scoring direct hits on two Marine guns. Three personnel were killed and another fourteen were wounded. The lost Battery I Marines included PFC Peter G. Cody, PFC Christian J. Eckerdt Jr., and CPL Gary L. Prekker. The VC also hit the Tactical Fuel Dispensing System in the LSA, igniting mogas and aviation gas and destroying a 70,000-gallon fuel dump. The besieged Marines received help from fixed-wing and nearby artillery which were directed on Viet Cong firing positions and escape routes after the attack. A search of VC firing positions was made later in the day which uncovered thirty-six 75mm recoilless rifle (RR) cannisters and firing positions for both RR and 82mm mortars were found. Information later gained from Provincial Reconnaissance Units indicated that the VC were armed with automatic weapons, local villagers had been forced to bear arms, and twelve RR were used in the attack. Discovered Viet Cong firing positions indicated that the attack was probably conducted by the 95th Battalion of the 2nd Viet Cong Regiment which was operating in the nearby area. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, wikipedia.org, and Command Chronology, 3rd Battalion 7th Marines, March 1967 at ttu.edu]

Dear PFC Peter Cody,
Thank you for your service as a Field Artillery Cannoneer. December is here, along with all the preparations. It is almost Christmas. 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.

It has been found that Peter is buried at Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit, not Grand Lawn.

Dear PFC Peter Girard Cody, 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