THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

Specialist Four Jon Bailey, Served with the 176th Assault Helicopter Company, 14th Aviation Battalion, 16th Aviation Group, Americal Division, United States Army Vietnam.

DEAR SPEC 4 BAILEY,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN AIRPLANE TECHNICAL INSPECTOR. HALLOWEEN IS APPROACHING, AND ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS' DAYS - THE DAYS WE HONOR THOSE WHO LEFT US. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS GUIDE YOU. REST IN PEACE.

On February 24, 1969, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D (tail number 63-12999) from the 176th Assault Helicopter Company, 14th Combat Aviation Battalion was operating in the Quang Tin Province (I Corps) when it was shot down by enemy forces. The aircraft came under .51 caliber fire and lost the main rotor at 2000 feet while on a division artillery resupply "milk run." The helicopter crashed, killing all crewmen aboard. Those included the aircraft commander WO1 Angus W. McAllister Jr., pilot WO1 Merle F. Butler, crew chief SP5 Richard W. Ford, and gunner SP4 Jon Bailey. The mission was WO1 Butler’s first in-country. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Dear SP4 Jon Bailey, 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