THE WALL OF FACES

Specialist Five Charles Elbert Gay, Served with the 498th Medical Company (Air Ambulance), 67th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. While all deaths in Vietnam are tragic that you died just nine days after your 21st birthday is especially so. May you rest in eternal peace.

In late 1968, the U.S. Army’s 17th Field Hospital was located at Camp Radcliff near An Khe in Binh Dinh Province, RVN. At 8:20 PM on December 15, 1968, hospital administration informed the command group of 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry, 173rd Airborne Division, that one of its medivac aircraft, call sign Dustoff 62, from the 498th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) was missing. The helicopter had crashed on Hill 559, approximately four miles east of An Khe while conducting an urgent medivac mission for the 4th Battalion, 503rd Airborne Division. Helicopter gunships and a flareship were dispatched but were unable to locate the downed ship. Due to darkness and the tactical situation on the ground, search teams were not able to reach the crash site until the following morning. An infantry unit from 1/50th was vectored to the crash site by OH-6A helicopters from D Troop, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry. Two crewmen were found alive with injuries and two others were dead. The crew chief and medic, SP4 Teddy R. Sininger and SP5 Charles E. Gay, were killed in the crash. The surviving aircraft commander and pilot reported that they chose to attempt the flight in marginal weather since the patient was classified as urgent. Near the An Khe Pass, where mountains rise as high as 5000 feet, they entered a solid overcast. The helicopter gained altitude, and with a vector provided by Phu Cat Airbase, the aircrew attempted to reach the pick-up site. Both pilots became disoriented by weather and darkness and lost control of the aircraft and crashed. The helicopter burned after impacting the mountain. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vhpa.org, and “History of 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 50th Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 1 October 1968 – 31 December 1968” at ichiban1.org]

Dear Sp5 Charles Gay,
Thank you for your service as an Airborne Qualified Medical NCO. Happy Thanksgiving. 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.

Dear SP5 Charles Elbert Gay, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter