THE WALL OF FACES

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

Dear PFC John Colbert,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. December is almost gone, along with all the preparations. It is the 3rd Day of 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.

On November 23, 1968, C Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, had a major engagement with the Viet Cong in the Boi Loi Woods, three miles southwest of Truong Mit in Tay Ninh Province, RVN. At 0915 hours, during a sweep of the area, the company came under heavy fire from a hedgerow. Artillery fire and armed helicopters were called in to soften the enemy position, but when the company attempted to assault after the supporting fires were lifted, it was again struck by a withering enemy fire. The fight continued all day before the enemy broke contact. Company losses throughout the day were 15 killed and 20 wounded. A search of the enemy position after he withdrew found six enemy bodies, one RPG-7 rocket launcher, seven AK-47 rifles, five rounds of RPG-7 ammunition, five pounds of enemy documents, five pounds of medical supplies, two hand grenades, and 11 pounds of explosives. A Vietnamese Regional Force Company that moved into the area to support the contact located a significant enemy cache at a location one kilometer east of the contact. Americans lost in the battle included SP4 David I. Briggs, PFC James C. Carlson, PFC John W. Colbert, SP4 Arnold R. Diekema, 1LT Michael N. Loitz, SGT Richard A. Milks, PFC Robert J. Nixon, PFC Frank Sanfilippo, SP4 Richard C. Stevens, PFC Joseph D. Szidor, PFC Mitchel R. Tyler, PFC Terrel J. Vidrine, and CPT Carl J. Winter. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division Operational Report-Lessons learned for the periods 1 November 68 to 31 January 69”]

Private First Class John Wayne Colbert, Served with Company D, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.

Although I've never gotten to know you in person; I have come to know you though my momma's stories. You shaped her life, showing her love, kindness and protection when she needed it most and least. Love, honor, respect and humor are not qualities easly cultivated or acquired. The person you were lives on in my mother and now through me. I thank you for your service and I ment very word that I spoke to you at the wall. Thank you for all you accomplished with your short time here.....also enjoy the quite now, cause when the rest of the kids get their, you won't find a moments rest-m