THE WALL OF FACES

I remember you from high school at Carroll, I considered you my friend because we both came from the same background ( the wrong side of the tracks) I also knew of your mom, we both worked at Sayco. Rest in peace my brother in arms, may God hold you in his arms for all eternity. Your service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.

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.

On December 15, 1969, F Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry ("Blackhorse Regiment") was conducting a sweep through an area of old growth rubber plantation northeast of Bo Due near Hill 172 in Phuoc Long Province, RVN, during a combined operation with Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) troops. The jungle canopy towered seventy-five feet, but sparse ground cover made visibility and movement somewhat easier. F Troop, with the ARVN infantry riding on top of their M113 armored cavalry assault vehicles (ACAVs), turned off Highway 14A and moved east through the plantations, then climbed the slopes of Hill 172. As the lead ACAV crested the hill, it spotted three enemy soldiers a hundred feet away. The ACAV commander immediately opened fire, but a rocket-propelled grenade hit his vehicle, wounding two crew members. Enemy fire intensified around F Troop, and it soon became clear that the Americans and South Vietnamese were in an enemy bunker complex. The ARVN dismounted and began working its way to the right, hoping to flank the enemy from the south. F Troop faced east and began laying down fire on the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) positions but lost two more ACAVs. F Troop could not call in artillery or air support because the dismounted ARVN infantrymen were too close to the NVA bunkers. Instead, they requested reinforcements. B Troop, in a night defensive perimeter two miles to the north, immediately moved out, arriving on the scene within fifteen minutes. Also, another ARVN infantry unit marched to the battle. B Troop came up on F Troop's left flank and pushed east, but the move left B Troop's southern flank exposed and the NVA opened fire. B Troop's vehicles wheeled right, came on line, and assaulted south through the enemy. F Troop backed down the slope while B Troop secured the hill, and the South Vietnamese infantry swept the area, clearing enemy bunkers. Cobra attack helicopters rolled in on the fleeing enemy, killing ten. The enemy lost sixty soldiers in the battle. Five members of F Troop were killed. The lost troopers included PFC Ronald C. Collins, PFC Farrish Combs (posthumously promoted to Corporal), SP4 Daniel M. Dawson, PFC James P. Nugent, and 1LT John Roche. Another sixteen Blackhorse troopers were wounded, one ACAV was destroyed, and three ACAVs were damaged. South Vietnamese losses were two killed and eleven wounded. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam” by MAJ Edward J. Chesney]

On the remembrance of your 70th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Forever 18.

HOOAH

Dear PFC Ronald Collins,
Thank you for your service as an Armor Reconnaissance Specialist. Today starts 2018, Happy New Year, and it is the 8th 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.