THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Staff Sergeant Ralph Stephen Guck, Served with the 14th Security Police Squadron, 14th Air Commando Wing, 7th Air Force.

Dear SSgt Ralph Guck,
Thank you for your service with the 14th Security Police Squadron. 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 November 29, 1970, a USAF C-123K Provider (#54-0649), Flight Bookie 540, from the 310th Tactical Airlift Squadron, was on a routine milk run (passenger) mission from Phan Rang to Cam Rahn Bay when it crashed into a mountain ridge 14 miles outside Cam Rahn Bay. The Provider crashed in poor weather, striking high ground at an altitude of 2700 feet in thick clouds. On board the aircraft were 44 people, consisting of 5 crewmen and 39 passengers. There were 32 U.S. military and 12 South Vietnamese. Two ARVN survivors were found five days later walking toward a road. The crash site was located after a week on December 5th by U.S. Army Rangers and South Vietnamese Rangers. They found two U.S. survivors, CAPT Vincent J. Fairbrother Jr. and SGT Gary Aldredge, who had endured the week with no food or water. Thirty U.S. military plus ten ARVN troops were killed. The lost crew included pilot CAPT Cecil G. Moyer Jr., co-pilot 1LT James F. Saxby, and crewmen SSGT Grayson H. Newberry, SSGT Harry A. Watson, and CAPT Norbert A. Podhajsky. The U.S. passengers killed were SGT Jack R. Gibbs, TSGT Robert B. Johnson, SGT James E. Stubblefield, SMS Bobby D. Seay, SSGT James C. Starnes, 1LT Elmon C. Caudill II, 1LT Jon M. King, PVT Gary Anderson, A1C James B. Young, CWO Franklin D. Defenbaugh, SP4 Samuel A. Grayson III, SP4 Charles A. Johnson, SP4 Donald A. Slate, 1LT Charles L. Kollenberg, SGT Ronnie C. Teschendorf, SP4 George Beedy, SGT Billy J. Hogan Jr., SGT Raymond H. Gray, SGT Joseph C. Blackwell, PFC Joseph A. Jacques, PFC Arthur J. Menn, SP4 Ronald R. Greenhouse, SSGT Ralph S. Guck, CAPT William D. Kennedy III, and CAPT Robert J. Polniak. [Taken from c123sinsea.org and bswett.com]

Photo was taken from the historic book “THE FACES BEHIND THE NAMES - The Vietnam War” with the permission of author Don Ward. Thank you Mr. Ward.

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in peace and honor Ralph.