THE WALL OF FACES

Warrant Officer Franklin Delano Audilet, Served with the 172nd Military Intelligence Detachment, 173rd Airborne 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 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 always be with us...

The war may be forgotten but the warrior will always be remembered. All gave Some-Some gave All. Rest in peace Sky Soldier.

On the morning of April 1, 1968, pilot CPT Raymond O. Kincannon from the 203rd Reconnaissance Airplane Company (RAC) “Hawkeyes,” 3rd Platoon, along with his observer WO Franklin D. Audilet, an Image Interpretation Technician from the 172nd Military Intelligence Detachment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, took off from Phu Hiep Airfield in a U.S Army Cessna O-1 Bird Dog on a visual reconnaissance mission. Their aircraft crashed and burned south of Tuy Hoa in the southern end of Khanh Hoa Province, RVN, near Cam Ranh Bay. Both crewmen were killed. There are various accounts of what brought the aircraft down, including a report of an enemy .51 caliber machine gun emplacement that engaged the crew while conducting a low-level recon over a river. Another version alleged that observer Audilet lost hold of a white phosphorus grenade in the cabin he was about to drop out the window while the aircraft was being engaged by enemy gunners on the ground. According to the source, the grenade rolled under his seat and detonated, causing the air crash. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and 203rdhawkeyes.net]

On behalf of all the paratroopers who served with you in the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) and all who followed, we offer our respect and remembrance of your ultimate sacrifice. May you never be forgotten and your family and friends take comfort in your valor in serving.