THE WALL OF FACES

It’s been a long time since we worked at Goodyear in Wheaton but I’ve always remembered you. If only you had stopped with two tours - but you were always committed to finish the job - whether here or over there. Thanks for all you gave.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

Chief Warrant Officer Robert Wayne Gardner, Served with the 281st Assault Helicopter Company, 10th Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear CWO Robert Gardner,
Thank you for your service as an Attack Helicopter Pilot. 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.

On April 27, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D (tail number 66-00870) from the 281st Assault Helicopter Company, 1st Aviation Brigade, was flying a Command & Control mission for the 4th Infantry Division in the An Khe Pass with five passengers on board the aircraft when it was shot down near Pleiku, RVN. The only surviving crew member, SP4 Gary Fields, was the gunner for the mission. SP4 Fields remembers flying up the pass when the aircraft became targeted by .50 caliber fire from both sides. The pilot, CW2 Robert W. Gardner, took the brunt of the fire and slumped over the controls as the aircraft nosed over and out of control. When SP4 Fields realized that the aircraft was going to crash, he jumped from the ship and fell approximately 200 feet, landing in a rice paddy. SP4 Fields suffered multiple injuries as a result of the fall, and is still disabled later in life. He was the only survivor because he jumped from the helicopter as it crashed in front of the lead ship in a combat aviation assault. The other crewmen included co-pilot WO1 Stanley J. Miller and crew chief SP5 George W. Tom. The passengers were LTC Gerald E. McKay, MAJ James A. Russ, SMAJ James H. Palmer, CAPT Roy V. Gray, and CAPT Carl N. Fisher Jr. [Taken from 281stash.org]