"I am not sure which would be the best photo to honor Jesus. All the photos are Spring of 1967 prior to deployment. Affectionately known as Jay (my Cousin), he was my Guardian at my first communion. I was so proud to walk hand in hand with him. He was extremely bright, religious and a true mentor. The photo(s) were taken while we were preparing to go to my confirmation in the Spring/Summer of 1967. We were all filled with extreme grief when we received notification that he had been taken that summer. He had so much to contribute to society but I am also glad that through his faith he rests with the Lord! Love ya always, your cousin Dennis." -- Dennis Torres, September 22, 2012.

Family Photos of Jay taking nephew Dennis to Church. Jay with father taking Dennis to Church. -- The Virtual Wall

During the summer of 1967, heavy contact with the Peoples Army of Vietnam (PAVN forces in the area prompted the launching of Operation Greeley, a combined search and destroy effort by elements of the United States 4th Infantry Division, the U.S. 173rd Airborne Brigade, and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 42nd Infantry Regiment and Airborne units. The fighting was intense and lasted into the fall, when the North Vietnamese seemingly withdrew. Hill 830 is located 12 kilometers South of the Village of Ben Het. It derives it's name from the height of its highest point above sea level in METERs. Therefore hill 830 is approximately 2,724 feet above sea level. Hill 830 is also approximately 14 kilometers from the Cambodian border and sat astride a major exit of the Ho Chi Minh Trail system. On July 10, 1967, the 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne) of the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) engaged a large, well dug-in NVA force in a fierce two-day battle. Following is a summary of that event taken from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Operational Report, Lessons Learned (ORLL), for the period ending 31 July 1967: For complete details of this event, see "Hill 830", or read about other events and battles, including this one under Groups and Battles. Twenty-five US soldiers died in the fighting on 10 July: B Btry, 3rd Bn, 319th Artillery (F/O team with 4/503) 1LT Arthur C. Retzlaff, Westfield, NJ SGT Kenneth L. Brown, Sheridan, WY PFC Michael S. Mitchell, Richmond, CA A Co, 4th Bn, 503rd Infantry 1LT Daniel W. Jordan, Griffith, IN (Dist Svc Cross) SFC Myron S. Beach, Elmira, NY SGT William J. Deuerling, New Smyrna Beach, FL SP4 Roger W. Clark, Pittsfield, VT SP4 Arthur A. Erwin, Eugene, OR SP4 Oris L. Poole, Screven, GA SP4 Walter A. Samans, Richmond, VA SP4 Franklin S. Shepherd, North Wilkesboro, NC PFC John C. Borowski, Chicago, IL (Dist Svc Cross) PFC David H. Johnson, Jonesboro, AR B Co, 4th Bn, 503rd Infantry SFC William A. Scott, Magnolia, NJ SGT David P. Crozier, Baltimore, MD SGT Jesus M. Torres, New York, NY SP4 Larry A. Doring, Mankato, MN CPL Frazier D. Huggins, Seffner, FL PFC Jimmy E. Darby, Opp, AL PFC James Fabrizio, Norwalk, CT PFC Malton G. Shores, Clarksville, AR PFC Harry D. Spier, Tyler, TX HHC, 4th Bn, 503rd Infantry MAJ Walter D. Williams, Glyndon, MD SGT Siegfried Kofler, Ventura, CA CPL Joel M. Sabel, West Covina, CA (Dist Svc Cross) Many others were wounded in the engagement. On 15 Feb 1973, almost five years later, SP4 Peter G. Lechnir of Milwaukee, Wisconsin died from wounds he received on Hill 830 while serving with Bravo 4/503. He was overlooked when the Wall was constructed, and his name was not added until November 1991. -- The Virtual Wall

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