THE WALL OF FACES

Specialist Five Douglas Compton, Served with the 240th Assault Helicopter Company, 214th Aviation Battalion, 12th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

Doug, I have never forgotten you. Steve Beckner and I are planning to visit your memorial site soon but first we need to get him well enough for the trip. You were one of the bravest soldiers and I am proud to have served with you in the 240th Assault Helicopter Company! Rest in Peace. We will meet again

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

SP5 Douglas Compton was a UH-1 helicopter mechanic and crew chief serving with the 240th Assault Helicopter Company located at Bearcat Base in Bien Hoa Province, RVN. SP5 Compton was part of a gunship platoon whose evening routine many times consisted of returning to the airfield after chow to perform daily inspections before knocking off and returning to their tent where they would have a few beers or a shower before turning in for the night. Around 10 PM on October 10, 1968, Compton and a companion were headed to the showers when they were confronted by an individual wielding a .32 caliber weapon. For reasons unknown, the gunman began indiscriminately shooting. Compton was hit in the chest at close range as he came out of the tent. His companion and a third person were also hit by gunfire. Compton staggered over to his unit’s Orderly Room where he collapsed into the First Sergeant’s arms, his last words, “Sarge, I’ve been shot.” He and the other wounded were flown to a military hospital at nearby Long Binh Post. Compton expired the following day; the two other victims survived. The identity of the shooter was never revealed to the members of Compton’s unit, and it was surmised he was an American contractor living in the building adjacent to tents used by the 240th personnel. What was also unclear was what punishment he may have received. A few days after the incident, a memorial service for Compton took place on base conducted by the Company Commander. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “1st Aviation Brigade: Commander's Notes, Number 28” at vva.vietnam.ttu.edu; also from information provided by Morris Miller (November 2019)]

My name is Tim Hastings a brother of SSGT Steven M Hastings, Crew Chief of Mad Dog 36 which went missing 8/1/68. I am presently the POW/MIA Outreach Coordinator for “Run For The Wall” 2019 Midway Route. It my Honor and duty to put together Bio’s for the riders to carry with them from Ontario, CA to the Vietnam Memorial Wall. Since my brother was a member of the 240th AHC I am making sure that every man from the 240th AHC that lost his life in Vietnam or is still MIA, has his Bio carried to the Memorial Wall in 2019. While preparing these Bio’s I am very emotional because some of these men may have been forgotten by their communities but I will never forget them. As long as we remember them and say their names they will always be with us and never forgotten. Thank You for your service.