THE WALL OF FACES

We can never truly repay the debt we owe our fallen heroes.

At 11:01 AM on October 18, 1966, a HU-16 Albatross (serial #51-7145) departed Da Nang Airbase, Republic of Vietnam, to rescue a downed pilot in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Vietnam. The crew of the aircraft consisted of rescue commander and pilot MAJ Ralph H. Angstadt, co-pilot 1LT John H.S. Long, flight mechanics SSGT John R. Shoneck and TSGT Robert L. Hill, radio operator SSGT Lawrence Clark, and navigator CAPT Inzar W. Rackley, Jr. Also onboard the aircraft was A2C Steven H. Adams, a parajumper/frogman and a member of an elite pararescue team ("PJs"). The aircraft headed to the pilot's location, which was approximately 80 miles off the China coast in the northern sector of the Gulf of Tonkin. Two A-1E Skyhawks escorting the rescue aircraft remained on station until the mission was completed, then the Skyhawks returned to the base. The last contact with the HU16 was at 5:45 p.m., and at that time, there was no indication of any trouble. The Albatross was returning to base, and last contact was approximately 35 miles off the coast of North Vietnam. All contact was lost with the amphibious aircraft in marginal weather conditions, and although an extensive search for the aircraft was conducted, there were no sightings of the crew or the aircraft. Even though the HU-16 was believed lost over water, the men on board were not declared killed, but Missing in Action. The crew of the UH-16 received promotions during the period they were maintained Missing in Action: Angstadt and Rackley were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel; Long to the rank of Captain; Clark and Hill to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant; Shoneck to the rank of Senior Master Sergeant; and Adams to the rank of Master Sergeant. [Taken from pownetwork.org]

DEAR LIEUTENANT COLONEL ANGSTADT,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A PILOT. I TRULY HOPE YOU ARE FOUND. YOU NEED TO COME HOME. PLEASE COME HOME.

LTC Ralph Harold Angstadt:

I didn't know him but I honor him, his service to our country and the ultimate sacrifice he made those many many years ago.
I wore his bracelet and prayed for his safe return for years and years. I also prayed for his family waiting hopefully for the good news that never came.
Wearing his bracelet was an honor and a privilege.

Susan Spangler
[email protected]
Camarillo, California

Dear LTC Ralph Harold Angstadt, 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