THE WALL OF FACES

LTC Bob L. Gregory’s Command and Control helicopter UH-1D (212 Cavalry, 3rd BDE, 1 Cav Div) was shot down in the Que Son Valley on January 7, 1968 during a large battle against the 3rd NVA Regiment during Tet 1968. The aircraft was flying a C&C mission out of LZ Ross when it came under fire. The crew included pilots WO1 Marshall H. Ford and WO1 Robert F. Bahl Jr., crew chief SP5 Arthur L. Lauderdale, and gunner PFC Lloyd E. Knake. Also on board were SFC Richard C. Keefe and MAJ Lawrence M. Malone. All suffered fatal injuries in the crash. [Taken from vhpa.org and armyaircrews.com]

He loved us so.
Every day, in a hundred ways, he told us so.
In honesty, in affection, he told us so.
He loved us so.
Every day, in a hundred ways, he showed us so.
With loyalty and bravery, he showed us so.
He was our defender, and he kept us free!
He took an oath to guard us, and fought for liberty!
He loved us so, and we should know.
For we loved him so.
Mr. Bahl (warrant officers are addressed as 'Mister', whether they be WO1s, or CWO2s, -3s, and -4s.), your sacrifice was NOT in vain. You have performed great deeds bravely in dangerous combat circumstances. I know that facing death every day was, and is, never easy for ANY soldier, even one with ten hash marks down his left sleeve. Brave deeds done by brave men will be told and retold for years and years to come. I believe that Jill Corey, one of my favorite top songbirds, along with Julie Andrews and Dusty Springfield, would be very proud of your service to our great country! You have given all that mortality can give. Well done, Sir. Be thou at peace.

Robert, to honor your memory and the sacrifice you made for our country I want to make sure your photo will be displayed on your birthday each and every year when the Education Center is completed, so it is with great pride and humility that I post this remembrance with a picture of you that was provided by your sister, Celeste. You are not forgotten and remain in the hearts of many all these years later. You have been designated to be one of God's special angels, along with the love of my life, who also sacrificed his life during this war. God Bless You Robert for being who you were and for all you did--we live in freedom to this day thanks to heroes like you.

ROBERT F BAHL JR Home town: Pittsburgh, PA Date of birth: 05131947 Date of death: 01071968 Robert Francis Bahl Jr. born on May 13, 1947 was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Attended Bishop Canevin High school and was part of the graduation class of 1965. Bahl started serving in the United States Army on November 13, 1967; he was stationed in South Vietnam with the 1st Calvary Division. He is buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Coraopolis, PA. Robert F. Bahl served as a warrant officer in the Army. Just 55 days from when he started serving Bahl was killed in action over the Que Son valley while flying the Command & Control helicopter of Lieutenant commander Bob Leroy Gregory, Commander of the 212th 1st Calvary Division (Airmobile) on January 7, 1968. In a short 20 years Robert Francis Bahl is known as a “hometown hero” for serving our country in the most controversial war ever

Robert is buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Coraopolis, PA. PH