THE WALL OF FACES

Lockheed's versatile C-130 aircraft filled many roles in Vietnam, including transport, tanker, gunship, drone controller, airborne battlefield command and control center, weather reconnaissance, electronic reconnaissance, and search, rescue and recovery. The AC-130, outfitted as a gunship, was the most spectacular of the modified C-130's. These ships pierced the darkness using searchlights, flares, night observation devices that intensified natural light, and a variety of electronic sensors such as radar, infrared equipment and even low-level television. On some models, a computer automatically translated sensor data into instructions for the pilot, who kept his fixed, side-firing guns trained on target by adjusting the angle of bank as he circled. The crew of these planes were, therefore, highly trained and capable. They were highly desirable "captures" for the enemy because of their technical knowledge. 1LT Paul F. Gilbert was the pilot of an AC-130A gunship assigned a mission near the A Shau Valley in the Republic of Vietnam on June 18, 1972. The crew, totaling 15 men included MAJ Gerald F. Ayres, MAJ Robert H. Harrison, CAPT Robert A. Wilson, CAPT Mark G. Danielson, TSGT Richard M. Cole Jr., SSGT Donald H. Klinke, SSGT Richard E. Nyhof, SSGT Larry J. Newman, SGT Leon A. Hunt, and SGT Stanley L. "Larry" Lehrke. During the mission, the aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air missile (SAM) and went down near the border of Laos and Vietnam. In fact, the first location coordinates given to the families were Laos, but were quickly changed to reflect a loss just inside South Vietnam. Three survivors of the crash were rescued the next day. In October 1994, the Air Force announced they had identified the remains of the 12 missing servicemen killed when the aircraft was shot down. [Narrative taken from pownetwork.org; image from wikipedia.org]

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

I never met any one of you but I love you all! if anyone wants to hear a WONDERFUL story about 2 of the guys on this plane please email me at [email protected] anytime. I wear Donald H. Klinke's bracelet and my mother wears Mark G. Danielson's... Keep all 12 of these boys in your heart and minds. I love you all guys, and thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Today my 6 year old daughter found my original Maj. Gerald F Ayres bracelet in my jewelry box. I was 13 years old when I wore this and wore it for several years (I am now 45) before packing it away. Now with the net I was able to find more info on you and was so saddened to hear that you did not survive. My family prayed for you and your family before dinner every night. Now I have a very important story to share with my daughter and we will continue to pray for you and your family. God Bless.

Gerald has a military stone in his honor at Ft Sam Houston Nat Cem.