THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. We should be forever thankful for the sacrifices of you and so many others to ensure the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Warrant Officer James Donald Griffin, Served with the 120th Aviation Company, 165th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

I am so honored, 40 years later, to still have his bracelet from the war.

Dear WO James Griffin,
Thank you for your service as an Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot. 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.

On May 31, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H (tail number 68-16528) from the 120th Aviation Company was conducting an administrative flight when the aircraft crashed in adverse weather conditions. Nine personnel were killed in the incident. The four lost crew members were aircraft commander WO1 John C. Burris, pilot WO1 James D. Griffin, crew chief SP5 Bruce Richardson, and gunner PVT Robert P. O’Brien. The five lost passengers included LTC Harold J. Shea, LTC John S. Bonner Jr., MAJ Benton F. Asbury, CPT Gary D. Hults, and SSGT Durwyn L. Wolf. The crew, call sign Dean 528, was assigned the mission for the purpose of transporting an airfield inspection team to Bu Prang, O'Rang, Bu Dop, and Loc Ninh airfields, and then return to Saigon Heliport. Dean 528 arrived at Loc Ninh Airfield at the estimated time of 1520 hours. Dean 528 called "Tally ho" Loc Ninh, the was last known radio transmission from Dean 528. At approximately 1625 hours, Dean 528 departed Loc Ninh in light rain, between two thunderstorms, on a heading of 200 degrees, and was not seen or heard from again. At approximately 1800 hours that evening, Dean operations (120th Aviation Company Operations operations) was notified that Dean 528 had not continued its flight. At this time, a telephone and radio search was initiated by the 120th Aviation Company Operations officer and continued until 0130 hours, June 1, 1970. An aerial search was not initiated until 1000 hours June 1st because of darkness and adverse weather conditions. The 120th Aviation Company launched one UH-1H helicopter and a light fire team to search for the missing aircraft in the vicinity of Loc Ninh. Additional search aircraft were launched by the 1st Air Cavalry Division, which consisted of two hunter-killer teams (one OH-6A helicopter and two AH-1G helicopters per team) out of Quan Loi. A 1st Air Cav OH-6A found the missing aircraft at approximately 1330 hours. The Dean UH-1H landed in the area as soon as the Regional and Popular Forces were able to secure the area. The Dean crew removed the bodies while the maintenance officer made a sketch of the accident site. Due to the onset of night fall and deteriorating weather conditions, the bodies were flown to Quan Loi and the 120th search party returned to Long Binh. It was not possible to secure the area during the hours of darkness because of the location of the wreckage, known Viet Cong activity in the area, and the non-availability of security forces. [Taken from vhpa.org]