THE WALL OF FACES

On March 7, 1970, a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter CH-46A (tail number 154043) from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 (HMM 263) was flying a support mission for another UH-1 helicopter carrying a VIP attending a change of command ceremony in the Da Nang area. The mission was flown in marginal weather during which voice contact was made between the aircraft with nothing indicating any trouble. When the lead UH-1 aircraft reached Phu Bai Airbase, the pilot was told by the crew of an Army helicopter that they had seen a CH-46 down in the coastal wasters about 24 miles northwest of Da Nang. From that day until March 26th, search operations were conducted by rotary and fixed wing aircraft of the Army and Air Force, and by surface vessels out of Phu Bai harbor. One Marine was rescued from the downed ship, and three bodies were located at various locations. The surviving gunner was picked up by a Vietnamese fisherman, who took him to the beach, dropped him off, and then just left, apparently unconcerned with helping him any further. The survivor related to crash investigators that they were flying in "really bad" weather, chasing the lead Huey (UH-1) when they went inadvertent IFR (instrument flight rules) and crashed into the water about 500 yards off the beach. He also told them that even though he couldn't be sure, he thought he remembered a loud noise coming from the rear of the aircraft and both pilots looking back into the cabin just before impact. The lost crew included CAPT Albert H. Gates Jr., co-pilot 1LT Kay K. Kimura, and crewmen CPL Glenn F. Austin and SGT Andrew W. Smith. 1LT Kimura was found a week later in a river without identification, but was ID’ed by his dog tag and USMC flight suit. All search efforts to locate CAPT Gates were unsuccessful. [Taken from vhpa.org and popasmoke.com]

DEAR CORPORAL AUSTIN,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN AIRCRAFT CNE/WEAPON/DECM SYSTEM TECHNICIAN. SEMPER FI. WE ARE CELEBRATING COLUMBUS DAY, AND THE DISCOVERY THAT LED TO US BEING IN AMERICA. THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING AMERICA. REST IN PEACE.

We were young, great friends, you will never be forgotten. Such a good good person. Taken WAY too soon. RIP my friend.

Rita

Dear CPL Glenn Frederic Austin, 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 by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

Glenn is buried at Christian Memorial Park, Rochester,MI. DFC NCM AM-27GS