THE WALL OF FACES

Warrant Officer James Mattison Dunnavant Jr., Served with the 176th Assault Helicopter Company, 14th Aviation Battalion, 16th Aviation Group, Americal Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

On July 11, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C (tail number 65-09563) from the 176th Assault Helicopter Company was attempting a takeoff from Tien Phuoc Special Forces Camp in Quang Tin Province, RVN, when the aircraft lost power and crashed into trees outside the perimeter of the camp, approximately 200 meters off the northwest end of the runway. The aircraft commander and crew chief were able to free themselves from the aircraft as it began to burn. Freshly refilled and carrying 1100 lbs. of fuel, the helicopter became engulfed in flames. The trapped pilot, WO1 James M. Dunnavant Jr. was extracted by Special Forces personnel who raced to the scene. The gunner, SP4 Larry G. Yeager, could not be saved and perished inside raging inferno. Dunnavant was hospitalized in critical condition; he expired one week later. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vhpa.org

Dear WO James Dunnavant,
Thank you for your service as an Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot. Your 48th anniversary is soon, so sad. 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.

I didn't know WO1 Dunnavant but I knew his gunner, Larry Yeager. Larry and I attended James M. Tate High School, Gonzalez, FL together (63-66). He lived in the Cantonment Village on Booth Avenue, just down from two Vietnam Marines who made it home alive, one being shot on two separate occasions. Along with my HS boyfriend with Larry and his girlfriend, we used to double-date. He wore a Beatles haircut and madras slacks to school. Larry was an upbeat and funny guy and I hope that he and James had a brother's kind of relationship going into what would be their final time to be in a Huey. No doubt, Larry and James, being from the South and nearly the same age, had a lot in common.