THE WALL OF FACES

On October 4, 1966, a U.S. Army de Havilland C-7B Caribou (#63-9751) crewed by a U.S. Air Force team was on a routine passenger run from Landing Zone Hammond located along National Route QL-1 north of Qui Nhon in Binh Dinh Province, RVN, to An Khe Army Airfield (same province) when it crashed into Hon Cong Mountain, approximately three miles northwest of the airfield. The crew had initiated a Ground Control Approach (GCA) in foggy weather with poor visibility when the radar operator at An Khe lost track of the aircraft and instructed them to execute a go-around. The pilots added power, but it was insufficient, and the Caribou impacted on the mountain. Four crewmen and nine passengers were killed; eighteen others survived. The three lost USAF crew members on duty with the 17th Aviation Company (U.S. Army) included CAPT David O. Webster, 1LT Francis H. Bissaillon, and SSGT Daniel P. Marlowe, all members of the 6252nd Operations Squadron, 7th Air Force; the fourth crewman was SP4 John T. Bird from the 17th Aviation Company (U.S. Army). The lost passengers were all 1st Cavalry Division personnel. They comprised PFC Henry L. Creek, CPT Johnnie L. Daniel, PFC Ronald E. Lewis, PFC James G. Litts, SGT Homer L. Pickett, SSG Richard M. Prociv, SFC Armando Ramos, PFC Donald A. Smith Jr., and 1LT Kenneth W. West. Survivors recalled a sudden roar of the engines as the aircraft pitched dramatically upward before impact. Passengers, gear bags, and seats were violently thrown forward as the plane inverted and broke open. There was no post-crash fire. The first rescuers arrived after thirty minutes and administered first aid to the injured. Equipment was brought up to the crash site as chain saws cut back trees and portable generators with light sets illuminated the scene. When an attempt to hoist the injured up to a hovering helicopter failed, the casualties were carried up the steep mountain to a Signal Corps relay station where they were evacuated to the base camp hospital at An Khe. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, findagrave.com, aviation-safety.net, and “A Rock in the Clouds: A Life Revisited” by COL Joseph R. Tedeschi, U.S. Army (Ret.)]

Private First Class Henry Lee Creek, Served with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

Dear PFC Henry Creek,
Thank you for your service as an Indirect Fire Infantryman with the 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry. 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.

Dear PFC Henry Lee Creek, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter