THE WALL OF FACES

Petty Officer First Class Ollie James Gross, Served with Light Helicopter Attack Squadron 3 {HA(L)-3}, Task Force 116 ( TF-116), United States Naval Forces Vietnam (USNAVFORV).

On the remembrance of your birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Dear PO1C Ollie Gross,
Thank you for your service as an Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class. 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.

AO1 Ollie J. Gross was an aviation ordnanceman serving with Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron Three [HA(L)-3] “Seawolves.” At approximately 2330 hours on April 23, 1969, AO1 Gross was the crew chief in a Detachment 4 Seawolf helicopter which struck a power line and crashed at Cu Chi. Gross was fatally injured in the incident. The accident occurred when the pilot mistakenly started to land in the wrong area, and realizing the error, commenced a waveoff. The aircraft continued down the road when the main rotor struck a power line and heavy supporting cable strung across Oahu Road. The helicopter crashed and burst into flames. The pilot, co-pilot, and one crewman safely egressed the aircraft, but Gross was pinned in the wreckage and died in the inferno. Would be rescuers were prevented from aiding Gross because of the ordinance aboard the helicopter. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and seawolf.org]

I remember you every Memorial day. You tried to talk me into going to HAL 3 with you.