THE WALL OF FACES

This is for Peggy Grunden, Paul Hill's niece.
I was the Crewchief on Paul's helo on his last mission. I always regarded him as one of the best and most courageous pilots in our unit. Since the war, I thought of him often and in May 2011, made a pilgrimage to see him at his grave site. I met his sister, Paula and I think, also you. In fact, I think you took this picture.


Paul will always be in my heart, especially on Veteran's day or Memorial Day.

WO1 Paul J. Hill was a helicopter pilot serving with the 68th Assault Helicopter Company “Top Tigers,” 145th Combat Aviation Battalion, 12th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, U.S. Army Republic of Vietnam. On May 12, 1968, Hill was piloting a UH-1D helicopter, call sign Smokey, in support of a heliborne combat assault by the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) near Mao Trai in Long Khan Province, RVN. To provide cover for the troops, the smoke ship went in ahead of the formation, flying low and slow in front of enemy positions while emitting a three-story high wall of smoke. Following the insertion, Hill’s ship was called back to evacuate enemy weapons discovered by the ARVNs. To increase the helicopter’s carrying capacity, two of the three enlisted crewmen stayed behind. Hill brought the helicopter to a hover while ARVNs passed the weapons up to the crew chief in the open rear doorway. On the other side of the aircraft and out of view of the pilots and crew chief, ARVN deserters latched onto the landing skid and tried to board the hovering UH-1D. As the engine strained, Hill attempted a takeoff. The overloaded helicopter struggled to remain airborne, then plummeted to the ground. The main rotor blades struck a dike and the aircraft disintegrated. The co-pilot and crew chief were uninjured; however, one of the rotor blades came through the windshield and struck Hill, fatally injuring him. A Command & Control (C&C) UH-1 helicopter landed within a minute of the crash. Medical personnel examined Hill and pronounced him dead. The co-pilot and Hill’s body were carried by the C&C aircraft to Long Binh. The crew chief remained on the ground and collected weaponry and radios for evacuation. He was picked up shortly thereafter. A CH-47 heavy-lift helicopter later arrived and recovered the destroyed smoke ship. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vhpa.org, and information provided by Frans VandenBroek (October 2023)]

Paul was n always will be my uncle. I still think of him often. I was only 9 when he lost his life. I remember how devastating it was on my mother ( her only sibling). He was always so kind to me, even when I dropped my ice cream on the clean floor of his car! Him n Linda were a good couple, I loved them dearly. My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones who gave their lives for all of us. Be proud n never forget the ones who still serve.
Paul's niece,
Peggy Grunden

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Paul Richards is moving and reflects his admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Never forgotten.

HOOAH