THE WALL OF FACES

On 6 Nov 2015, the Veterans of the 48th Assault Helicopter Company, known as "Blue Stars", dedicated a Memorial Monument at Fort Rucker, Alabama honoring the service of the unit in Vietnam and especially the 36 Blue Star Fallen Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country during the period 6 Nov 1965 to 23 Aug 1972. David Reed Crow IV was one of those heroic members of the unit until the time of his death.

The back image of the Monument may be seen at “SEE ALL PHOTOS” above.

WO1 David R. Crow IV was the maintenance officer for 48th Assault Helicopter Company (Blue Star slicks). On April 9, 1969, he was standing on top of a downed UH-1H, trying to attach the sling from a CH-47 to the G nut so the aircraft could be extracted. The disabled aircraft was in an LZ where the Korean White Horse Division had been inserting troops. While they were trying to get the Huey out, they started receiving 105 mm mortar fire from a VC hidden in elephant grass. The Huey aircraft Crow was standing on was hit and the fuel tanks blew up. Crow was thrown off by the explosion and suffered fatal injuries. (From CW2 Gary Mills) [Taken from vhpa.org]

Dear WO David Reid Crow IV, 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, for those who love you, and for the Sgt's son.

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

Curt Carter (son of Sgt. Ardon William Carter, 101st Airborne, died February 4, 1966, South Vietnam)

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