THE WALL OF FACES

I have had your MIA bracelet since the 1970’s. I spent a lot of time trying to find out more about you with no success. I just recently read your story on this site. You are a true National Hero. You will always be remembered and I thank you for your ultimate sacrifice for our great nation.

On May 18, 1966, A2C Andre R. Guillet was the observer and CAPT Lee D. Harley the pilot of an U.S. Air Force Cessna O-1F Bird Dog (#57-2877) light observation aircraft from Detachment 3, 505th Tactical Air Control Group, in a flight of two aircraft controlling a strike mission along Route 912 (North Vietnamese Army Route 20), two miles south of Ban Karai Pass in Khammouan Province, Laos. The aircraft was calling in a bomb damage assessment when the transmission abruptly ended. The wingman turned and sighted the aircraft's wreckage but came under heavy fire and had to leave the area. Search and rescue forces picked up an emergency beeper near the crash site, but when aircraft went to check the area, they received ground fire and it was determined this was probably an attempt to lure rescue aircraft into a trap. Reportedly, the enemy removed the wreckage the following day. Neither Guillet nor Harley were recovered, and they were carried as Missing in Action. Both airmen were promoted during the time they were missing, Harley to Major and Guillet to Senior Master Sergeant. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Case Files Regarding Andre Guillet and Lee D. Harley” at ttu.edu]

Andre, you are never far from our hearts and minds. We hope and pray you come home soon. Until then, please watch over your cousins grandson, who now serves in the USMC. He said to me once, "I want to help, like Andre did".

Airman Second Class Andre R. Guillet (AFSN: AF-11431983), United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia form 6 April 1966 to 18 May 1966.

SMSGT Guillet, You are remembered. Observer on Cessna O-1F 57-2877 on that ill-fated flight.