THE WALL OF FACES

Specialist Five Charles David Goforth, Served with Company B, 228th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion, 11th Aviation Group, 1st Cavalry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear Sp5 Charles Goforth,
Thank you for your service as an UH-1 Helicopter Repairer - Door Gunner with the 1st Cavalry. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 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.

SP5 Charles D. Goforth was a CH-47 Chinook helicopter maintenance man serving with B Company, 228th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion. SP5 Goforth trained as a UH-1 mechanic, but was assigned to B Company servicing Chinooks while the 228th moved north from An Khe Army Airfield to Cam Ranh Air Base. Despite working on the impressive aircraft, Goforth did not like to fly in them, and preferred to stay in the company area performing his maintenance duties. On March 30, 1968, Goforth and his crewmates had completed servicing the aircraft they were assigned. They pleaded with the E-5 in charge to go swimming on the nearby shoreline. This was forbidden because the area was restricted, but after much pestering, the E-5 relented, and the group headed down to beach. They were required to traverse a minefield on the way, but all arrived safely at the water. Reportedly, Goforth immediately ran and jumped in. Almost right away, he began having trouble as a powerful undertow started carrying him away from the shore. Treading water, he called for help from his companions. The E-5 nearly drowned trying to rescue him, and they were unsuccessful in getting Goforth back on the beach. A portly flight mechanic ran back to the helicopter and retrieved an inflatable (Mae West) life preserver. He swam out to Goforth and pulled him to shore. They held him upside-down as water fell from his lungs. At the same moment, a helicopter gunship patrolling the base perimeter made towards the group as if it was going to engage them. Realizing they were Americans, the aircraft held its fire and was waved down by the men. Goforth was loaded on the helicopter and flown to the hospital at Cam Ranh where he was pronounced dead on arrival. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by John T. King (February 2018)]

Dear SP5 Charles David Goforth, 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

Charles is buried at Richmond Cemetery,Ewing,VA.