THE WALL OF FACES

Dear WO Arthur Allen Crosby Jr, 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

Each time I pass the Vietnam stone on the Guilford Green I am remined of Arthur Crosby. His name is engraved on the stone with the following inscription, 'Each peaceful dawn in this place, let us remember these men who died for our freedom' I will always remember.

Rest in peace with the warriors. (Photo Credit: Ed Holmes)

The one thing I remember about "Chickenman" was his zest for life --that, and his devotion to the 'Steppenwolf' rock group.

On arrival Crosby showed up complete with a cassette tape recorder and a Steppenwolf tape. I can remember Wild Thing, myself, and either Ox or Snake sitting around looking at each other while he played the tape. The music was something not in our collective experience. The next conclusion was that we had all been away from "the World" just a bit too long to keep up with all this. <g>

After he went down, we had to bag up his stuff. Someone fired up the tape recorder one last time. But, it was too much -- I think it was Wild Thing who said, "Turn it off."

For years afterward, I couldn't listen to anything from Steppenwolf. To this day, any of Steppenwolf's stuff brings back memories of Chickenman.

"Chickenman" was part of a serial superhero spoof on the military's AFVN (AM) radio broadcast from Saigon. The first time Crosby heard it and he imitated the call of "Chickenman" (similar to a rooster crowing), we settled on his call-sign. The irony of this name for a Scout was just funny enough to appeal to his way of thinking.


Gaucho (Submitted and edited by Cowboy)

To a great friend and wing-man who pulled my bacon out of the fire on more than one occasion. You will always be remembered by the guys from the Flying Circus.