THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your niece Tami VanHoose is poignant and reflects the anguish experienced by so many who lost loved ones in this war. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

On May 28, 1965, two U.S. Army UH-1B helicopters from the 118th Aviation Company (AML) were involved in a mid-air collision at Bien Hoa Air Base in Bien Hoa Province, RVN. The 9:47 AM accident killed ten Americans and seriously injured one. The air base at this time had no air traffic controllers to handle helicopters and would not until September 1965. The two aircraft crashed into the III Corps’ soccer field after colliding about 200 yards from the airfield. One of the ships (#63-08594) had just departed the III Corps Headquarters helipad and was in a shallow climb at about 75 feet of altitude. The second helicopter (#63-08592) was conducting a simulated autorotation exercise when it contacted from above the right rear rotor disk area of 594. The helicopter burst into flames, became inverted, and hit the ground almost directly under the point of collision. Aircraft 594, minus its main rotor, fell, struck the ground tailboom first, bounced, caught fire on the second impact (nose first), and slid 100 feet and burned. The lost personnel from 594 included aircraft commander WO1 Myron M. Pfoutz, co-pilot 1LT Donald J. Fillers, and gunner PFC William J. Oakley; also aboard were three MACV Advisory Group passengers: CPT Millard R. Valerius, CPT James J. Masotti, and SSG Ronald J. Warren. The crew chief on 594, SP5 Steve Kartak, was critically injured after being thrown clear of the aircraft. The crew from 592 were aircraft commander CW2 Edward R. Piper, co-pilot 1LT Phillip D. Childers, and crew chief PFC Foster F. Triggs. Gunner SGT George H. Frazee Jr. survived the crash with critical injuries; however, he expired eight hours later. Fillers was posthumously promoted to Captain. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, 118ahc.org, and “Copters Crash, 9 Die At Bien Hoa.” Pacific Stars & Stripes, May 30, 1965]

Dear Captain Donald Fillers,
Thank you for your service as a Helicopter Pilot. Labor Day just passed, 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.

Duck--May you rest in peace ---I am Jimmy and Tommy's cousin and I remember the friendship the three of youall had ...Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice you made ...

Dear Captain Donald Jay Fillers, 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 bylearning 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter