THE WALL OF FACES

TSGT Robert L. Gardner served with the 366th Munitions Maintenance Squadron, 366th Combat Support Group, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force. Beginning October 10, 1966, the 366th Munitions Maintenance Squadron was stationed at Da Nang Air Base in Quang Nam Province, RVN. The munitions men were the vital link between the crated ordnance and the bombs that hung on the wings of 366th Tactical Fighter aircraft. The 366th MM personnel handled ammunition from its storage, uncrating, transport to safe staging areas, to uploading on the fighters. The 20mm, .50 caliber, and 7.62 cannon shells were linked and fed into magazines by hand while the 250-lb.and 750-lb. bombs were moved by heavy cranes. Without the exacting work of MM staff, the pilots’ job could not be done. During the summer of 1968, Gardner went on sick call and was medically evacuated to the naval hospital ship USS Sanctuary (AH-17) anchored offshore Da Nang in the waters of the South China Sea. He was admitted for treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to an alcohol use disorder with cirrhosis of the liver and delirium tremens. Despite the best efforts by medical staff at managing his illness, he expired July 30, 1968. Gardner, 41, was a 22-year military veteran. He left a wife and four children and a fifth child from a previous marriage. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

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 sunlight 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.

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace TSGT. Gardner, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Dear Tsgt Robert Gardner,
Thank you for your service with the 366th Munitions Maintenance Squadron. Happy Veterans' Day. 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.