THE WALL OF FACES

Some may think you are forgotten
Though on earth you are no more
But in our memory you are with us
As you always were before….

Dear CWO Robert Holditch, Thank you for your service as an Utility & Light Cargo Single Rotor Helicopter Pilot. Next week is Independence Day, and there is no better time to honor you. Please watch over the USA, it still needs your strength. Rest in peace with the angels.

On July 2, 1969, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H (tail number 67-17694) from B Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, was on a night maintenance test flight when it crashed into the sea about 200 feet off the coast, five miles northwest of Chu Lai Air Field in Quang Tin Province, RVN. Three crewmen were killed in the incident: pilot CW2 Robert W. Holditch, mechanic SP4 Thomas J. Schneider, and Senior Maintenance Supervisor SFC Donald L. Tovey. Early the following morning, while on routine Market Time patrol, a U.S. Navy Swiftboat, PCF 55, was directed to investigate a downed aircraft. The wreckage was located and was identified as a UH-1H helicopter. Divers on board the PCF were immediately sent over the side in an attempt to recover the bodies trapped in the wreckage. A floating body spotted by a U.S. Army Americal Division helicopter was recovered by the scuba divers along with one M16 rifle, one M60 machine gun, and one survival kit. PCF 55 returned to Chu Lai with the bodies while PCF 24, which was ordered to the scene, towed the wreckage to a salvable position. The aircraft was then recovered by a Navy LCT and taken to a dock where accident board investigators examined the aircraft. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vhpa.org, and swiftboats.net]

Dear Mr. Robert W Holditch, 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

Robert is buried at LaFayette Memorial Park, Fayetteville,NC. BSM-OLC