THE WALL OF FACES

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

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's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Specialist Five Victor Roman Heesacker, Served with Company B, 123rd Aviation Battalion, Americal Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear Sp5 Victor Heesacker,
Thank you for your service as an UH -1 Helicopter Repairer. Your 51st anniversary is soon, sad. 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.

On May 21, 1968, an U.S. Army OH-23G Raven assigned to Company B "Aeroscout", 123rd Combat Aviation Battalion, Americal Division, was conducting an armed aerial reconnaissance in the Divisional AO (area of operations). The unit was based at the Ky Ha Heliport on the Chu Lai Combat Base in the I Corps Region. The crew consisted of 1LT Bill Staffa as pilot and SP4 Britlow, a combat-experienced aeroscout observer in the left seat of the aircraft. The crew chief was SP4 Victor R. Heesacker, an experienced UH-1 Huey helicopter crew chief, sitting in the rear compartment. Heesacker had recently been assigned to the unit, having been with the aviation maintenance section in the support battalion of the 11th Infantry Brigade at Duc Pho. The first reconnaissance mission of the day was approximately three miles to the east of LZ Dottie. Several individuals were observed who looked out of place in an open rice paddy near a small hamlet, but nothing was developed. After some time, the gunships returned to LZ Dottie. The aeroscout crew was instructed to remain on station until their return, and climbed to altitude which would put them out of range of small arms fire. With the return of the gunships, the recon was resumed. Another suspicious individual was observed and started running up a trail when approached by the scout. As they closed on the individual, they received small arms fire from along the trail. They climbed to altitude as the gunships attacked the area. Returning to the area, the scout crew saw no sign of the enemy except for a weapon lying on the ground. After several passes through the area proved uneventful they moved toward the weapon. At an altitude of 10-15 feet, an enemy soldier fired a .30 caliber Browning Automatic Rifle at the aircraft. SP5 Heesacker never had an opportunity to return fire and slumped immediately forward out of the door (restrained by his safety harness). He made no effort to pull himself back into the helicopter or to communicate with 1LT Staffa. The aircraft immediately left the area and landed a short distance away where a UH-1D landed shortly after. Heesacker was placed aboard the Huey and evacuated for medical treatment. Heesacker was struck in the face from short range by a bullet from a heavy assault rifle. He never regained consciousness and was presumed to have been killed instantly. [Taken from bco123rdavnbn.org]