THE WALL OF FACES

To the Crowley Family,
Everyone that new Randy Ecker knew of his struggle dealing with John’s death. He spoke of him often and so regretted that he couldn’t save him. Randy ended up losing his one and only child on August 14, 2013. And unfortunately Randy just passed away on 1.28.22. At his funeral service the memorial that Randy wrote about John was read. Unfortunately your son and brother was taken way too soon but I hope that you find some comfort in knowing that he was never forgotten by Randy.

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 though I wish it had been under very different circumstances. May you rest in eternal peace.

Dear Sp4 John Crowley,
Thank you for your service as an UH-1, Huey, Helicopter Repairer with the 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.

On August 10, 1970, pilot WO Gary B. Smith, aircraft commander William E. Boyle, crew chief SP4 John E. Crowley, and door gunner SP4 Jesus O. Alvarez and an unspecified number of passengers were in a UH-1H helicopter (tail #68-16520) on a classified "Prairie Fire" operation in the lower panhandle area of Laos. "Prairie Fire" teams performed deep penetration missions of strategic reconnaissance and interdiction which were also called, depending on the time frame, "Shining Brass" missions. The missions operated under MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observation Group). MACV-SOGG was a joint service high command unconventional warfare task force engaged in highly classified operations throughout Southeast Asia. The 5th Special Forces channeled personnel into MACV-SOG (although it was not a Special Forces group) through Special Operations Augmentation (SOA), which provided their "cover" while under secret orders to MACV-SOG. When the helicopter was about 25 feet above the ground, it suddenly lost power and crashed. No reason for the crash could be determined. Crowley and one passenger were trapped inside the aircraft. A medic from another helicopter entered the wreckage and managed to free the passenger, but noticed that Crowley was firmly wedged between the aircraft and the ground. After two or three minutes of effort, the medic gave up trying to free him. The medic determined that Crowley was dead, as there was no pulse, and he could get no response from him. All personnel were extracted and another rescue team was inserted just before dark, but was unable to get back to the wrecked aircraft because of enemy activity. The second team was extracted the next day, and no further efforts were made to go back to the crash site. Crowley was flying in support of an exceedingly dangerous mission. For every insertion like the one of August 10, 1970 that was detected and stopped, dozens of other commando teams safely slipped past NVA lines to strike a wide range of targets and collect vital information. The number of MACV-SOG missions conducted with Special Forces reconnaissance teams into Laos and Cambodia was 452 in 1969. It was the most sustained American campaign of raiding, sabotage and intelligence-gathering waged on foreign soil in U.S. military history. MACV-SOG's teams earned a global reputation as one of the most combat effective deep-penetration forces ever raised. Crowley was listed Killed in Action, Body Not Recovered. He was listed with honor among nearly 600 Americans missing in Laos. In 1998, some remains were turned in to members of a joint field team in Vietnam. Later, a US-Lao team jointly recovered remains, concluding the US effort. It was announced that he remains were positively identified June 5, 2000. [Taken from pownetwork.org]

Dear SP4 John Edward Crowley, 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