THE WALL OF FACES

This is my father Thank you everyone

You are loved, missed, and remembered to this day. Our lives will never be the same! We are free because of you and your family's sacrifice! Thank you!

Ralph was born in Oley and was a member of Frieden's Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was a 1951 graduate of Oley High School, where he played varsity basketball.
He joined the U.S. Air Force after graduation and served as an enlisted man until 1954 when he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and made a flight observer. He received his pilot's wings in 1957.
He attended Florida State University.
In 1963, while stationed in Okinawa, Ralph served as Project Officer during the Mercury Space Program. He was one of the pilots deployed for pickup duty during the flight of L. Gordon Cooper in May 1963.
In Vietnam, Ralph served as the pilot of an HU-16 helicopter, stationed at Da Nang Air Base. In letters to his family he wrote that he liked what he was doing and was glad to be able to serve his country.
Ralph and his crew of six took off to participate in a rescue mission over North Vietnam and after the mission was completed he radioed that the plane was returning to base. No futher communications were received and the craft failed to return. A one week search over land and water found no trace of the aircraft or crew.
Ralph holds the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star.
His family, at the time, included his wife, Charlsie, three daughters, his mother, a sister and two brothers.
Ralph was in Vietnam five months.
He was 34 years old at the time of his disappearance.
"Until I know what happened to my brother, I will not give up hope he may be somewhere...Mrs. Janet Clauser, sister of Angstadt.

From the Berks County Vietnam Memorial dedication booklet.

I've had his bracelet since 1971 and wore it daily until a few years ago. It is now in a display cabinet in my home. Although I never knew him, I think of him often and appreciate the ultimate sacrifice he made for our country.

I am Ralph Harold Angstadts Daughter, ELizabeth Carter Angstadt. THank you so much for every one wearing my fathers braclet. My email address is [email protected] if you'd like to email me. again thank you for this. it touches my heart.
Elizabeth Carter Angstadt