THE WALL OF FACES

Captain Charles Elton Ferrell, Served with the 57th Assault Helicopter Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

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 sunlight 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.

Charles,
Thank you for your service and sacrifice for my freedom. You will forever be remembered.

On December 6, 1969, a U.S. Army UH-1D helicopter (#66-16699) from the 57th Assault Helicopter Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion, was operating over a Central Highlands battlefield when it was shot down about 16 miles northeast of Kontum. Eleven persons were killed in the crash, including five Americans and five Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) personnel plus one Viet Cong detainee. The aircraft was observing an operation of the 42nd South Vietnamese Regiment and a Civilian Irregular Defense Group militia unit when it was hit by small arms fire. The helicopter lost power at a low altitude above thick jungle canopy and crashed. The lost Americans included (crewmen) aircraft commander 1LT Philip J. Schrock, pilot CPT Charles E. Ferrell, crew chief SP5 Peter K. Miranda, gunner PFC Rolland L. Durflinger, and passenger COL George L. Miller, an ARVN advisor from MACV. The lost ARVN personnel included COL Nguyen Ba Lien, the commander of 10,000 government troops plus two majors accompanying him. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vhpa.org, and “10 Killed in Huey Over Battlefield.” Pacific Stars & Stripes, December 8, 1969]

Dear Captain Charles Ferrell,
Thank you for your service as a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander - Helicopter Pilot. It is Labor Day weekend, and we remember you 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.