THE WALL OF FACES

Warrant Officer Darrell Lynn Haggard, Served with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 40th Artillery Regiment, 108th Artillery Group, Twenty-Fourth Corps, United States Army Vietnam.

Without people like you our great nation would not exist. Rest in peace WO. Haggard, I salute your brave soul.

Dear WO Darrell Haggard,
Thank you for your service as an Utility & Light Cargo Single Rotor Helicopter Pilot. The war was years ago, but we all need 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.

Dear WO Darrell Lynn Haggard, 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

OH-6A SN 67-16367 was turned in to the 142nd TC Co. on 17 December 1968 for maintenance. On 20 December 1968 CW3 David C. Gipson, quality control officer, performed a test flight at 1430 hours for replacement of the main rotor hub, blade tracking, and other repairs. The aircraft was released for flight at 1600 by CWO Gipson. Maintenance personnel had difficulty removing one of the blade tracking 'cat-eyes' and consumed about thirty minutes in removing the 'eyes'. Mr. Ed Johnson, Collins radio company FSR, requested another test flight for a check of the fm radio. The radio test flight was flown by WO Haggard, the pilot from the owing unit. WO Haggard landed and reported a vertical vibration and CWO Gipson boarded the aircraft. During this flight CWO Gipson advised WO Haggard of the location of the radio towers at FLC. The flight was terminated and CWO Gipson states that a vertical vibration did in fact, exist. Maintenance personnel suspected that a blade trim tab had been bent during the removal of the cat-eye. The helicopter was prepared for tracking and WO Haggard, SP5 Smith, and SP4 Schnebel, and SP4 Gehrman, made a flight for the purpose of tracking the blades. The flight was completed and the helicopter returned to Red Beach for final trim tab adjustments. The last flight was made from Red Beach Army Airfield for the purpose of verifying the final trim adjustments. The aircraft departed and at approximately 1730 hours, struck a guy wire attached to a 400 foot radio tower at FLC compound. The helicopter crashed in two feet of water and the three occupants were killed (WO Haggard, SP5 Smith, and SP4 Schnebel). [Taken from vhpa.org]