THE WALL OF FACES

You will forever remain in our hearts and prayers

Private First Class Richard Earl Dabney Jr., Served with the 155th Assault Helicopter Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

From May 8, 1966, through June 30, 1966, the 155th Assault Helicopter Company operated from Camp Holloway, Pleiku Province, RVN, in general support of the 25th Infantry Division, with time out for battalion operations with the 22nd Division of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) on May 19th in the vicinity of Bong Son. Tragedy struck the company on May 27, 1966, during a troop lift south of Pleiku near FSB Oasis. WO1 Eugene W. Caswell was killed when the UH-1D helicopter (#64-13599) he was flying failed to clear tall trees in the takeoff path from a confined area and crashed. Gunner PFC Robert C. Luce and crew chief PFC Richard E. Dabney Jr. were severely burned in the crash and required medical evacuation to Nha Trang. PFC Dabney subsequently died on June 3, 1966, while enroute to a U.S. Army hospital in San Antonio, TX. Also lost were the lives of four CIDG personnel while two others were badly burned. [Taken from vhpa.org and History of the 155th Aviation Company, January 1 – December 31, 1966, at mason.gmu.edu]

Dear PFC Richard Dabney,
Thank you for your service as a Helicopter Crewman. You were born on my granddad's birthday. Say hi to him, his name is Benny. Easter is coming up. Happy Easter. 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.

Dear PFC Richard Earl Dabney 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