THE WALL OF FACES

Warrant Officer Marcus Ray Asplund, Served with the 118th Assault Helicopter Company, 145th Aviation Battalion, 12th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade.

DEAR WARRANT OFFICER ASPLUND,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN ARMY UTILITY & LIGHT CARGO SINGLE ROTOR HELICOPTER PILOT. A FRIEND'S BROTHER WAS ALSO KILLED IN PHUOC LONG. SAY HI TO MIKE AND REST IN PEACE.

Marc and I were classmates in flight school and friends. He and I spent a lot of time together in our last few months of training at Fort Rucker. My parents attended my flight school graduation, and my late mother, acting on Marc's mother's behalf, pinned Marc's wings on his uniform at our graduation ceremony.
On this Memorial Day, 2016, I grieve for the tragic loss of my friend's life at such a young age and mourn the fact he did not live to fulfill his life. Rest in peace, friend, brother, fellow aviator.

Seeing your picture and this profile brings me a little closer to my brother's memory. He was your crew chief, James Howard Young. I don't know how well you knew him or how long he crewed for you, but you look like someone Jimmy would enjoy being with under 'normal' circumstances. May God be with you and your family until you can be together again.

I am a student from Apollo High School who believes you are a brave and heroic man. Although I do not know you, I know that you are truly a hero.
Thank you for everything you have done. We are grateful and we will always remember.