THE WALL OF FACES

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace PVT. Coker, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family.

PVT Samuel E. Coker served with A Company, 19th Engineer Battalion, 937th Engineer Group, 18th Engineer Brigade, U.S. Army, Republic of Vietnam Engineer Command. In A Company, Coker was a “Pioneer,” a title used for soldiers performing engineering and construction tasks. His unit, the 19th Engineer Battalion, arrived at Qui Nhon in Binh Dinh Province, RVN, on September 2, 1965. Despite the immediate need to build facilities for the tactical (fighting) units recently deployed to Vietnam, the engineers were delayed by the late arrival of their equipment. The battalion was not able to fully contribute to the construction effort until November 5th when it began work on a major aviation facility twelve miles west of Qui Nhon. On the early evening of November 14th, a Sunday, the companies were in a relaxed mood, including Coker, who reportedly had been drinking all afternoon. He somehow retrieved a grenade from a local Vietnamese hooch and was carrying the explosive around with him. At some point that evening, Coker removed the pin and walked through several company areas, including an outdoor theatre where “The Yellow Rolls Royce” was being played, making his way down to the showers. He then returned past the movie area and walked near a ditch when he apparently tripped and bobbled the grenade, letting it explode. The blast startled the engineers, who believed they were under a mortar attack. The battalion surgeon was advised of a casualty, and his driver took him over to a temporary morgue east of their location where Coker’s body had been taken after he was pronounced dead. A quick exam by the surgeon revealed blast and fragmentation wounds to his left hand and face. Evidently, Coker had bobbled the grenade upward out of his grip before it detonated. The Army employed deceit when reporting on the incident, stating in its final casualty report of November 27, 1965, that Coker died “as a result of wounds received in hostile ground action.” [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, “Engineers at War” by Adrian G. Traas, and information provided by Steve Marsh (July 2007)]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Priscilla Jaynes is especially touching. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever...

In an earlier posting, I asked for information on Sam's death. The family received conflicting reports from the military. His commander posted here, that it was an accident. The family, not knowing different, put on his marker, "killed in action". If anyone knows exactly what happened, please let us know. Thank you....

Dear Pvt Samuel Coker,
Thank you for your service as a Pioneer. December is here, along with all the preparations. Yesterday was 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.