THE WALL OF FACES

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Wade Duer, Served with the 242nd Assault Support Helicopter Company, 269th Aviation Battalion, 12th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

We can never truly repay the great debt we owe our fallen heroes. Without people like you our nation would not exist. Rest in peace CWO. Duer, I salute your brave soul.
My heart goes out to you and your family.

On July 23, 1968, a U.S. Army helicopter CH-47A Chinook (tail number 66-19011) from the 242nd Assault Support Helicopter Company “Muleskinners” broke up in flight and crashed during a short final to Cu Chi Base Airfield in Hau Nghia Province, RVN, killing five crewmen and two passengers. The lost personnel were aircraft commander WO1 Randy R. Wernig, pilot CW2 Thomas W. Duer, crew chief SP5 Donald W. Seidel, gunner SP4 Harry M. Mather, and flight engineer SP5 Danny E. Deese; also, passengers CPT David G. Mitchell and PVT Richard L. Rousseau. The aircraft reportedly was engaged in a single-ship resupply mission and had refueled approximately 20 minutes prior to the crash. A tape recording from the Cu Chi tower monitor revealed no unusual transmissions nor were there any distress or unusual communications heard by other aircraft monitoring the tower frequency. The pilot did not acknowledge his final clearance from Cu Chi tower; however, just prior to impact, the transmission "roger" came over the FM frequency in a calm tone. It is believed that the pilot was rogering Cu Chi tower but had mistakenly transmitted over FM. Several witnesses reported a loud "pop and clapping noise" while the aircraft was at approximately 150-200 feet of altitude. A pilot in an aircraft behind the Chinook stated that the front rotors were turning slightly less than normal, and the aft rotors appeared to be close to a stop. Shortly thereafter, the aft pylon was seen to separate from the main part of the fuselage. A small bright flame was seen on the fuselage at the place of separation. Small parts were observed flying from the aircraft prior to impact. Flame quickly engulfed the fuselage after impact. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vhpa.org]

Dear CWO Thomas Duer,
Thank you for your service as an Utility & Light Cargo Single Rotor Helicopter Pilot. Independence Day is approaching, and we remember your sacrifice. We remember all you who gave their all. It has been too long, and it's about time 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.