THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Sp4 Anthony Gallina,
Thank you for your service as an Airborne Qualified Infantryman. 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.

My name is David Slone. Contrary to some official accounts, a Ranger - me - survived this crash Any family member or soldier who was present that day may contact me at daveslone@yahoo.com

Tony was a tough Missouri kid. I had just turned 19 two weeks before we were shot down. I think Tony was younger than me. He adopted a dog named Roscoe. He is forever in my thoughts from that tragic day, Sept. 20, 1970. It is a trick of fate that I am here and he is there.

Dear SP4 Anthony Joseph Gallina, 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.

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, Sir

Curt Carter

Dear Anthony,
You Have Not Been Forgotten!

The Society of the Fifth Division, U.S. Army, during its 95th Annual Reunion in Pittsburgh, PA (Sept 10-14, 2015) , held a Reading of the Names Ceremony to honor the 514 Soldiers from the 5th Division that were Killed in Action during the War in Vietnam. Your Name Was Read Aloud Among Those Soldiers. You Have Not Been Forgotten! Rest in Peace, Dear Brother.

Thomas Grafton
Alpha company, 7th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division
Vietnam (1968-1969)

On September 20, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H (tail number 67-17597) from C Company, 158th Aviation Battalion was on a Ranger team insertion near the DMZ when a .51 caliber round came through the windshield and hit the pilot, 1LT Albert M. Finn, perforating his “chicken plate” (ballistic vest) and causing the aircraft to crash. It was estimated that the helicopter was traveling at 100 knots when it hit the ground. There were no survivors. The other crew members were co-pilot WO1 Larry G. Baldwin, crew chief SGT Dan O Felts, and gunner SGT William T. Dotson III. The passengers were members of Team 1-8, P Company, 75th Rangers, and included SP4 Raymond H. Apellido, SP4 Anthony J. Gallina, SP4 Dale A. Gray, PFC Glenn G. Ritchie Jr., and SGT Harold E. Sides. The crash site was immediately secured by a platoon from Alpha Company 1-61st Infantry Regiment (Gators) who lost two men to a mortar barrage on the crash site, platoon leader 1LT Richard H. Stube and PFC Michael T. Linville. 1LT Finn's chicken plate was recovered from the downed aircraft and sent to Da Nang to be tested for a suspected .51 caliber hole. [Taken from vhpa.org and phoenix158.org]