THE WALL OF FACES

I was Patty McDonalds cousin, used to spend summers up there when you lived a couple houses from her.

I am the Curator of the POW/MIA Bracelet Display in the Vietnam Hangar of the Palm Springs Air Museum in Palm Springs, California where we now have over two thousand bracelets and would be honored to include your bracelet in our Display. If you are an immediate family member (spouse, fiancé or child) I can order one for the Display in your name.
Dr. Dave Thompson
Palm Springs Air Museum
POW/MIA Bracelet Display Curator
Lt. Commander U.S. Navy 1964-1970
10-103 Lakeview Dr. Rancho Mirage, Ca 92270
760-328-0859 [email protected]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. I am heartened you were returned home after the passage of so many years. May you rest in eternal peace.

It’s still in the original plastic bag with the typed info. My time was 1972-73.

How I became a Seawolf.

In 1971 I was talking to my girl friend and she told me our friend SP4 Donald Crone was killed in Vietnam. His helicopter exploded over Laos. His remains were not found. Strangely enough the following Monday I got my orders to HAL-3, but I had to volunteer. In the back of my mind I think I was going to go over there and avenge him. With Don's memory fresh in my mind I went to personnel and signed the papers. I was 18 and had no idea what HAL-3 was. The funny thing is I joined the Navy because I didn't want to go to Vietnam.

Looking back I couldn't be more proud of being a Seawolf, after 8 years in, that was the highlight of my Naval life.

So what prompted me to write this? Last night I was thinking about Don and did a search of him. I was shocked and happy to see his remains were found almost 29 years to the day later and in October 2001 he was identified. He and his flight crew are buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Welcome home Don, you will forever be in my mind.