THE WALL OF FACES

Dear 1LT Sharel Edward Bales, 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

At midday on August 29, 1967 U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 65-10018 was on a mission to recover a downed ship. Flying in bad weather near Blackhorse Base Camp, the helicopter entered a cloud bank and contact was lost the aircraft. A search was conducted. It was later determined that the aircraft crashed, killing six occupants on board including aircraft commander 1LT David C. Hall, pilot 1LT Sharel E. Bales, crew chief SP4 Peter S. Martinez, gunner SP4 Joesph L. Whitaker Jr. and passenger SGT Louis C. Muser II. [Taken from vhpa.org]

1LT Bales lost his life while serving with the 191st Assault helicopter Company, 1st Aviation Brigade. He was the pilot of a UH-1D Helicopter that went down in bad weather, enroute to recover a downed aircraft.

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

Dear Sharel, Thank you very much for your service in Vietnam. You gave the ultimate sacrifice for your country. With you giving your life for your country, let the others you put in front of you have a better life. I want to recognize your bravery and undying loyalty. You will never be forgotten. Thank you for all you have done. Respectfully, Ashley