Charles Ray Powers

The database page for Charles Ray Powers

06 Jul 2008 The memory of Charles has been part of my life ever since we met through letters and I was informed through a returned package stamped "deceased" that he had been killed. The war truly became real for me that day as did the sacrifice so many made for our country. I honor and thank Charles and all those who served and serve today. From a friend, Pamela Groupe Groves E-mail address is not available.

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 01 August 1966 units of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, were inserted into the Ia Drang Valley for a search-and-destroy operation named PAUL REVERE II. Although ample evidence of the enemy's presence was found during the first week, 1/7 Cav had little contact with enemy forces. That changed shortly after noon on 08 August when "A" Company made contact with a large enemy force near Landing Zone JULIET. The 3rd Platoon was on point and made the initial contact with the NVA. They aggressively pursued and were immediately hit by several enemy heavy and light machineguns, cutting them off from the rest of the company. Most of the 3rd Platoon was able to exfiltrate back to the "A" Company perimeter, where the company found itself under very heavy attack. By 1500, artillery and air strikes had discouraged the NVA, which broke contact and withdrew into the jungles. The price paid by "A" Company was very high - 25 dead, 36 more wounded. The dead were A Co, 1st Bn, 7th Cavalry SP4 Clifton E. Bennett, El Monte, CA SP4 Judge Burroughs, Buffalo, NY PFC Orrie J. Buskey, Champlain, NY PFC Brian J. Clune, Scarsdale, NY PFC Donald L. Corbin, Swedesboro, NJ (Medic, HHC with A/1/7) PSGT Melvin F. Floyd, Amarillo, TX PFC Charles R. Greene, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY PFC David C. Hampton, Oklahoma City, OK SSG Martis L. Haynes, Vanderbilt, TX PFC Douglas W. Jones, Lowry City, MO SP4 John J. Kolz, Thayer, MO (Medic, HHC with A/1/7) PFC George E. Matuscsak, Kearny, NJ PFC Alfredo Ostolazo-Maldonado, Santurce, PR (Medic, HHC with A/1/7) PFC Mark E. Parker, New York, NY SP4 Derek B. Pope, Alameda, CA PFC Richard W. Power, Southwick, MA SP4 Charles R. Powers, Thayer, MO SP4 Richard W. Roy, New Britain, CT SP4 Donald A. Sherrod, Knoxville, TN PFC John H. Shetters, Cowan, TN PFC Frederick Stafford, Philadelphia, PA PFC Bradley H. Tate, Pearisburg, VA PFC David L. Thorpe, San Andreas, CA PFC Jack A. Welch, Chicago, IL HHC, 1st Bn, 7th Cavalry SMAJ Richard A. Schaaf, Baltimore, MD (Silver Star) Battalion Command Sergeant Major Richard Schaaf had volunteered to accompany Alpha 1/7 on the operation. He and his friend, Platoon Sergeant Francisco Roig of the 3rd Platoon, were instrumental in extracting the 3rd Platoon from the ambush site. SMAJ Schaaf was killed while providing covering fire; PSGT Roig survived. Both were awarded the Silver Star for their actions.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a friend, Pamela Groupe Groves E-mail address is not available.

Top of Page www.VirtualWall.org Back to To alpha index P MO State Index . Panel 09E 7TH CAV RGT Index Contact Us

With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 06 Jul 2008
Last updated 11/13/2010