THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. I am 72 and have lived a long and fulfilling life. It is tragic you never had that same opportunity. May you rest in eternal peace.

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

On the remembrance of your birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Forever 18.

HOOAH

Operation Junction City I was a military operation conducted by U.S. and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces beginning February 22, 1967, to locate the elusive “headquarters” of the Communist uprising in South Vietnam. Junction City's tactical plan was a "hammer and anvil" maneuver, whereupon airborne troops of 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment of the 173d Airborne Brigade would "flush out" the Viet Cong (VC) headquarters, sending them to retreat against a prepared "anvil" of other forces. The highly mobile and elusive VC, however, were not so easy to find in thick bamboo forest and jungle adjacent to the Cambodian border in western Tay Ninh Province. A little after midnight on the second day of the operation, elements of C/2-503rd were dug into night positions when suspected enemy movement was detected in front of their lines. One of the troopers tossed a grenade which bounced off the bamboo thicket and rolled back into their foxhole. The blast killed two and wounded another. The lost personnel were PFC George E. Coles Jr. and SSG Franklin R. Watkins. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and the book “Blood on the Risers” by John Leppelman]

The war may be forgotten but the warrior will always be remembered. All gave Some-Some gave All. Rest in peace Sky Soldier.