15 June 2002 I have worn your bracelet for many years and prayed for you, have shed tears. I hope someday we will all know if you are ever coming home. GOD BLESS YOU WHEREVER YOU MAY BE. From one who wears his MIA bracelet. E-mail address is not available.

 

21 July 2002 I've worn your name since May 1988, when I received it in Germany. I've had to replace the original one because it broke due to wearing it In Your Memory. I wear two names, Yours and SGT Jerry W Hendrix. The two of you will be in my thoughts and prayers until ee meet one day. Marty H. E-mail address is not available.

 

THE MISSION On 27 March 1969 "A" Company, 3/12th Infantry, was conducting a reconnaissance-in-force mission in a mountainous area near the Cambodian border. The company encountered a heavily entrenched enemy force and was forced to withdraw with a number of people missing. A second unsuccessful attempt to enter the area was made on the afternoon of 27 March. At the end of the day eight men of Alpha 3/12 were unaccounted for: SGT Raymond G. Czerwiec PFC Robert S. Hardison (medic from HHC Co) SP4 James R. Long SGT Gail M. Kerns CPL Willie D. Martinez 1LT Anthony J. Urrutia SP4 Rodney A. Vore SGT David O. Wilson A third attempt, also unsuccessful, was made on the 28th. At that point air strikes and artillery fire were placed on the enemy area for two days, with another ground assault on 30 March 1969. Alpha 3/12 lost six more men before being forced to withdraw: SFC Arthur M. Bradberry PFC James C. Fox SP4 Johnny A. Gibson SGT Charles M. Lamby SP4 Clarence A. Latimer SGT Fred D. Smith The area was subjected to a week of intensive artillery and air strikes before additional ground forces were inserted. During a two-day sweep of the area the bodies of a number of missing soldiers were recovered, leaving three men of Alpha 3/12 missing in action: SGT Raymond G. Czerwiec SGT Gail M. Kerns SP4 Clarence A. Latimer Sergeant Gail Kerns had been captured and survived to be released with the other American POWs in February 1973, but he had no knowledge of Czerwiec or Latimer. The North Vietnamese never listed Czerwiec or Latimer as prisoners of war. On 28 April 1976, the Secretary of the Army approved a Presumptive Finding of Death for Raymond Czerwiec; a similar action was taken on 31 August 1978 for Clarence Latimer. The remains of the two men have not been repatriated.

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