THE WALL OF FACES

Major Hughie Darell Adams, Served with the 1st Air Commando Squadron, 34th Tactical Group, 13th Air Force.

MAJ Adams, You are remembered. One of the pilots killed in the crash of B-26B 44-35207.

DEAR MAJOR ADAMS,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. YOU WERE LOST ON MY DAD'S BIRTHDAY. SAY HI TO HIM, HE WAS AIR FORCE TOO. REST IN PEACE.

On January 7, 1964, a B-26B (#44-35207) from 1st Air Commando Squadron crashed ten miles south of Bien Hoa Air Base while on a post-maintenance test flight. Pilot MAJ Cleveland W. Gordon and MAJ Hughie D. Adams died in the crash. [Taken from virtualwall.org and the book A-26 Invader Units of World War II by Jim Roeder]

I remember the day like yesterday, Maj. Adams. Cleve (Capt. Cleveland Gordon, B-26 Flight Section Leader) my pilot, came in to alert me that we would be test flying one of our B-26s that was in Air Vietnam for repairs, later that day. Some time later, Cleve returned to inform me that you wanted to personally insure that the problems with the aircraft had been corrected and that the two of you would be conducting the test flight.

I was busy with my additional duties as Squadron Administrative Officer that afternoon when we received word that a B-26 had crashed. Your and Cleve's aircraft was the only 26 airborne at the time. We all held our breath, praying the crash was minor. It wasn't til evening that we learned that the tail of the aircraft had separated and that you and Cleve had both perished.

You and Cleve have been with me everyday since, but I'm not sure my thoughts are being received by you. I suppose I'll have to wait until we meet again to let you know that I have not wasted the 50+ years you have given me.

God bless you and your family!