THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Sp4 Thomas Hinson, Thank you for your service as a Flight Qualified Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice. This week in Flag Day. There is no better way to respect the flag than to honor you all. Watch over the USA, it still needs your strength. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear SP4 Thomas Allen Hinson, 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

The 57th AHC's unit history states the monsoon weather had forced many mission cancellation during the month. Four slicks had departed for a mission and, after accomplishing the mission, header back for Kontum. While enroute the ceiling lowered to 300 feet in rain. Three of the ships made it back safely but the fourth, piloted by WO Eric Bargquist and 1LT James Carr, went IFR and had initiated a surveillance radar approach to the field. On a three mile final to runway 28, contact was lost on radar. An immediate search was begun and, before the weather forced the search to a halt, wreckage was found burning approximately 100 meters below the top of a ridgeline. The two pilots, along with the CE, SP4 Thomas Hinson, and doorgunner, PFC Terry Dees, died in the crash. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Thomas is remembered by the men of his Basic Training Company, D-5-1 of Ft Polk,LA. He served with 57 AHC, 52 AVN BN, 17 AVN GP, 1 AVN BDE. He is buried at Brookside Memorial Park, Houston,TXx. BSM AM-11OLC

We served together in basic training D-5-1, Fort Polk, Louisiana from September 13, 1967 through November 17, 1967. I will always remember Tom, he gave his best.