THE WALL OF FACES

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]

Darrell is buried at Union Valley Cem,Coy,Lonoke Co,AR. BSM AM-19OLC ARCOM

It is said a man hasn't died as long as he is remembered. This prayer is a way for families, friends and fellow veterans to remember our fallen brothers and sisters. 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 hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die.

My older brother, Darrell, was a smart, hard-working young man. He had a wonderful laugh and a big smile (even though he would not smile in any of his pictures while in uniform). He made friends easily and was better to me than I was to him. I have no other siblings, and I miss him terribly even after 32 years. Thanks for this opportunity to express my feelings about my brother.