THE WALL OF FACES

On April 15, 1969, U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 67-17614 from Company C, 158th Aviation, was involved in a crash when on an early morning “Snoopy” sniffer mission it hit a large tree, crashed, and exploded. There were six fatalities in this incident: pilots WO1 Terrence J. Mortensen and WO1 Jerone J. (J.J.) Warnick, crew chief SP5 Doyle D. Dunbar and passengers MAJ Neal W. Lovsnes Jr., CAPT Robert A. Young, and SP5 Herbert S. Hildebrand. In November 1993, Lawrence E. Pluhar recalled the loss: “I was a member of the accident investigation board whose work was cut short by the Commanding General who declared it a combat loss. However, the (AH-1) Cobra escort pilots whom we interviewed stated there was no hostile fire. The crew was low ship on an early morning sniffer mission. The aircraft impacted a large, dead tree which separated one main rotor blade. The aircraft caught fire, rolled inverted, and crashed cockpit first on a rocky stream bed. The aircraft exploded on impact, killing Mortenson, Warnick, and Dunbar. The gunner was thrown from the aircraft 300 yards prior to impact and survived. He was found by the infantry platoon inserted to recover the bodies of the crew. The only body not completely burned was Mortenson. He was found face down in the stream still strapped in his seat. All of the crew killed were very well liked and part of the original personnel which formed the unit at Fort Riley, KS in 1968. J.J. Warnick's call sign was Phoenix 25, which I remember well since mine was 24 and we flew together often prior to his death. This accident occurred south of Hue/Phu Bai between FSB Anzio and FSB Roy.” [Taken from vhpa.org]

Dear SP5 Doyle Daniel Dunbar, 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

Doyle is buried at Corvallis Cemetery in Corvallis,MT. BSM PH

Doyle and I graduated High School together and went our seperate ways only to land in the same country far away to fight a battle for ??? not sure -- he was killed and I survived and now I am so ashamed of my fellow americans for what they are putting our Veterans thru. I always regret that I was unable to escort you home buddy, because I didn't learn of your death in time. Rest in peace

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers