THE WALL OF FACES

On the night of 13 Jan 1966 a C-123B transport (tail number 55-4519) of the 310th Air Commando Squadron was providing flareship support for a flight of A-1E Skyraiders from the 1st ACS. The Skyraiders in turn were attacking VC positions near An Khe.
As one of the Skyraiders pulled off target after delivering ordnance it collided with the circling flareship. Both aircraft crashed; there were no survivors. The dead were
• Aboard C-123B 55-4519
o Capt Herman H. Ritchie, Okmulgee, OK, 310th ACS, pilot
o Capt Warren L. Anderson, San Jose, CA, 310th ACS, copilot
o SSgt Byron H. Crotwell, Jackson, MS, 310th ACS
o TSgt Thomas A. Fodaro, Syracuse, NY, 6253rd Cbt Spt Grp
o SSgt Edward J. Hincewicz, Scranton, PA, 310th ACS
o TSgt Irwin L. Hoffman, Elmhurst, NY, 310th ACS

• Aboard A-1E 52-133989
o Capt Robert N. Middlebrooks, Ariton, AL, 1st ACS
The 310th served in Vietnam for 6 years, undergoing several name changes. Activated as the 310th Troop Carrier Squadron, Assault, on 24 May 1963, it became the 310th Air Commando Squadron, Troop Carrier, on 8 Mar 1965; the 310th Air Commando Squadron, Tactical Airlift, on 1 Aug 1967; the 310th Special Operations Squadron on 1 Aug 1968; and the 310th Tactical Airlift Squadron on 1 Jan 1970. The squadron was inactivated on 15 Nov 1972.

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

CAPTAIN

WARREN LESTER ANDERSON


served with the


377th COMBAT SUPPORT GROUP


stationed at


TAN SON NHUT AIR BASE

SOUTH VIETNAM



===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== =====



On 26 April 1966, then 1st Lieutenant JAMES HALE TUCKER and Captain WARREN LESTER ANDERSON went out in their RF4C PHANTOM fighter jet flying on an unarmed night reconnaissance flight which would take them over a heavily defended anti-aircraft complex in North Vietnam.

At one point all contact with their aircraft was lost.

Their mission was to photograph an anti-aircraft complex 15 miles north of Dong Hoi, North Vietnam.

The aircraft was monitored by forward radar units in South Vietnam.

As the aircraft crossed the mountain range to descend on their target all radio and radar contact was lost and never was re-established.

An electronic search was undertaken immediately and a visual search began as soon as daylight permitted, however nothing was ever seen or found of the aircraft in question or its two crewmembers.

In 1973, 591 Americans were released from Vietnamese prisons, however neither Anderson nor Tucker were among them.

They have, therefore, remained to this day as being Missing In Action.


Captain Warren Lester Anderson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for previously obtaining vital photos from an unarmed aircraft over the area where he later disappeared.

Because there has never been any word of James Hale Tucker or Warren Lester Anderson, their families have always wondered if they are alive or dead.

And, if alive, how much longer must they wait for their country to bring them home ?





YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE

It is said a man hasn't died as long as he is remembered. This prayer is a way for families, friends and fellow veterans to remember our fallen brothers and sisters. Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die

Warren is buried at Ft Rosecrans Nat Cem.