THE WALL OF FACES

On March 22, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D (tail number 65-09629) from the 190th Assault Helicopter Company “Spartans” was conducting a combat assault of troops into a landing zone nicknamed “The Rock,” five miles south of Tanh Linh Airfield in Binh Thuy Province, RVN, when it was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG). The aircraft crashed and burned, killing co-pilot WO1 Michael J. Hatfield, and injuring several others. The insertion required the ships to come in one at a time on a rocky ledge surrounded by jungle. The helicopter was at a three to four foot hover when the RPG hit the left rear crew compartment, blowing off the tail boom, engine, and rotor system. WO1 Hatfield reportedly suffered fatal head injuries and died instantly. Survivors were unable to pull his body from the burning wreck. All five troopers aboard from C/4-12 were injured. The aircraft commander and door gunner were also hurt; only the crew chief was uninjured. Hatfield’s remain were recovered and taken to a Saigon area Graves Registration collection point. The Spartans later conducted a memorial service at their Bien Hoa Airbase in honor of Hatfield. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Jonathan Logan (June 2020)]

Dear WO Michael Hatfield,
Thank you for your service as an Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot. It is Holy Thursday. 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.

An average day as I now recall
An average day
An average day when I saw him fall
With a dawn and a dusk then a tear
A simple way for a logbook tale
A simple way
Such a simple way for a man to fail
To erase his 21 years

Take but never give
Let a man walk tall but don’t you let him live
Say you didn’t see, say he’s not your kind
And you wonder if God is blind
Who’s to say if he should have known
Who’s to say
Who’s to say when we all were shown
Maybe time will bury our fears

Make what the papers tell
But it’s only written that the war’s a hell
What’s a family son but another man
And you wonder where’s a guiding hand

I love and miss both you and mom. I pray she is in your arms once again and u guys look down on me and smile at the accomplishments I have been making this year, ps, I live in washington now but u probably already knew that, lol

Mike,
I could never begin to tell you how much you were loved by your family and friends, and most especially Harold and Renee (Rogers and my children) who loved you and looked up to you beyond compare. You had given them a' pilot simulator' and promised them that you would teach them how to fly when you returned from Vietnam. In the meantime, they were so looking forward to you showing them.........I cannot tell you how difficult it was when you were killed, and Harold (who was only 7) attended your funeral with us, his suit on, hat in hand, and a sadness I had never seen before in him. You were such an inspiration to so many people, and not only, did we never forget, but neither did any of the Hatfield's, especially your Dad and Mom, and sister Marcie. We have missed you and thought of you for so many many years.............Love you!!