THE WALL OF FACES

MAJ Benton Francis Asbury is buried in Hillcrest Section B, Lot 164, Space 4 of the Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park in New Albany, IN.

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will never die...

Major Benton Francis Asbury, Served with the Headquarters Squadron, 834th Air Division, 7th Air Force.

Benton Francis Asbury
Major
United States Air Force
PERSONAL DATA
Home: New Albany, Indiana
DOB: Thursday, 02/23/1933
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Married? No
Religion: Methodist

MILITARY DATA
Service: United States Air Force
Comp: Reserve
Grade: O4
Rank: Major
ID No: 317302623
MOS: ----- - Not Recorded
LenSvc: Between 16 and 17 years
Unit: 834TH AIR DIV, 7TH AF

CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Tuesday, 02/17/1970
Cas Date: Sunday, 05/31/1970
Age at Loss: 37
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Binh Long, South Vietnam
Type: Non-hostile, Died Of Other Causes
Reason: Air Loss, Crash - Land - Helicopter - Noncrew
Last Update: July 1971

ON THE WALL
Panel 10W Line 123

On May 31, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H (tail number 68-16528) from the 120th Aviation Company was conducting an administrative flight when the aircraft crashed in adverse weather conditions. Nine personnel were killed in the incident. The four lost crew members were aircraft commander WO1 John C. Burris, pilot WO1 James D. Griffin, crew chief SP5 Bruce Richardson, and gunner PVT Robert P. O’Brien. The five lost passengers included LTC Harold J. Shea, LTC John S. Bonner Jr., MAJ Benton F. Asbury, CPT Gary D. Hults, and SSGT Durwyn L. Wolf. The crew, call sign Dean 528, was assigned the mission for the purpose of transporting an airfield inspection team to Bu Prang, O'Rang, Bu Dop, and Loc Ninh airfields, and then return to Saigon Heliport. Dean 528 arrived at Loc Ninh Airfield at the estimated time of 1520 hours. Dean 528 called "Tally ho" Loc Ninh, the was last known radio transmission from Dean 528. At approximately 1625 hours, Dean 528 departed Loc Ninh in light rain, between two thunderstorms, on a heading of 200 degrees, and was not seen or heard from again. At approximately 1800 hours that evening, Dean operations (120th Aviation Company Operations operations) was notified that Dean 528 had not continued its flight. At this time, a telephone and radio search was initiated by the 120th Aviation Company Operations officer and continued until 0130 hours, June 1, 1970. An aerial search was not initiated until 1000 hours June 1st because of darkness and adverse weather conditions. The 120th Aviation Company launched one UH-1H helicopter and a light fire team to search for the missing aircraft in the vicinity of Loc Ninh. Additional search aircraft were launched by the 1st Air Cavalry Division, which consisted of two hunter-killer teams (one OH-6A helicopter and two AH-1G helicopters per team) out of Quan Loi. A 1st Air Cav OH-6A found the missing aircraft at approximately 1330 hours. The Dean UH-1H landed in the area as soon as the Regional and Popular Forces were able to secure the area. The Dean crew removed the bodies while the maintenance officer made a sketch of the accident site. Due to the onset of night fall and deteriorating weather conditions, the bodies were flown to Quan Loi and the 120th search party returned to Long Binh. It was not possible to secure the area during the hours of darkness because of the location of the wreckage, known Viet Cong activity in the area, and the non-availability of security forces. [Taken from vhpa.org]