THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

During the period of July 1 - October 31, 1969, the 3rd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, conducted combat operations in Long An Province, RVN, and the border areas of the three adjacent provinces; Hau Nghia, Gia Dinh, and Dinh Thuong. The brigade participated in Operation Toan Thang (“Complete Victory”) Phase III. The mission objective was to aggressively seek out the enemy to prevent his employment of men and equipment. The brigade was involved in combat during every day (123 total) of the period. On September 17th, the 3rd Brigade suffered the loss of its commander, COL Dale J. Crittenberger, when his Command-and-Control UH-1H helicopter collided with an AH-1G Cobra gunship while monitoring a unit from 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, in contact with the enemy. Company A, 5/60, was conducting air mobile operations in the Plain of Reeds, an area of 2500 square miles across several provinces which served as a base for Viet Cong forces. The troop lift was provided by aircraft from B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry. Immediately upon landing, the Americans came under heavy fire from a large Viet Cong force in well entrenched positions. The contact was supported by artillery and three hunter-killer teams consisting of one AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter and one OH-6A “Loach” light observation helicopter from B/3-17 Cavalry. The collision occurred when an AH-1G in the hunter-killer team was covering an OH-6A at tree top level over the contact area. The Cobra was orbiting at an altitude of approximately 800 feet south of the target area when it began a dive for a rocket run. Crittenberger’s Command-and-Control aircraft was using approximately the same orbit pattern as the AH-1G, only much lower. As it came inside the orbit of the Cobra, it began climbing, striking the attack helicopter in the underneath left side with his main rotor blade. A total of twelve U.S. were killed in the accident. The lost UH-1H crew included aircraft commander WO1 Robert P. Mayer, pilot 1LT Richard A. Snowdon, crew chief SP5 William A. Fitch, and gunner SP5 Gary L. Haught. The passengers were Crittenberger, LTC Leo P. Sikorski, MAJ David R. Mackey, MAJ William T. McNair, MAJ Dana W. Mitchell, and CPT Donald W. Dietz. The crew of the AH-1G were aircraft commander WO1 Gary J. Davis and co-pilot WO1 Theodore V. Skiles. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vhpa.org, and “Lessons Learned, (Headquarters, 3d Brigade,) 9th Infantry Division, period ending 31 Oct 1969” at dtic.mil]

Warrant Officer Gary James Davis, Served with B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear WO Gary Davis,
Thank you for your service as an Attack Helicopter Pilot. We are celebrating our holy days. It is a time of joy, and may that be yours in heaven. 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 WO Gary James Davis, 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, Sir

Curt Carter