THE WALL OF FACES

SP4 Harden,

I had the honor reading your name aloud this evening at the 35th Anniversary of the Vietnam Veteran Memorial. I am eternally grateful to call you a brother.
Wayne Knutson
1SG(R), USA

I still remember the old days riding around with you on Hondas back in 60s. I felt honored to be a friend of yours back then and even more now.

On January 5, 1971, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C (tail number 66-15040) from the 57th Assault Helicopter Company crashed while conducting a test flight. There were no survivors. The lost crewmen included pilot WO1 John W. Lynch III and aircraft mechanics SGT Douglas B. Kent and SP4 Larry O. Harden. The following is a summary of the incident: The pilot (WO1 Lynch) called the tower for takeoff clearance at 1930 hours to conduct a night test flight to determine if changing the main rotor blades had eliminated the 1 to 1 vertical vibration noted in the 2408-13. He requested closed traffic for runway 05 right, and completed one low approach past the tower. Afterwards, the pilot requested the second one and he was cleared to continue. This portion of the flight was uneventful. As he passed the tower for the second time, his altitude was estimated at 80 feet AGL and airspeed in excess of 80 knots. The aircraft initiated a sharp left climbing turn to the crosswind when suddenly upon reaching approximately 300 feet AGL a brief expletive was heard over the tower radio and the altitude dropped severely. The aircraft then turned 180 degrees and impacted the ground, nose first, at an angle of about 80 degrees, and it never rolled out of the turn. The airspeed at the time of the impact as shown on the airspeed indicator was 130 knots and the time was 1940 hours. The fuselage burst into a ball of flames and burned completely. All three occupants were killed from contact injuries incurred from the crash landing. Their bodies were later recovered. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Dear SP4 Larry Owen Harden, 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

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.