THE WALL OF FACES

We still remember you
We still talk about you
God Bless You

On September 23, 1971, a U.S. Navy helicopter UH-1B (tail number 62-04602) from Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron Three [HA(L)-3] “Seawolves,” crashed during a routine combat patrol approximately 24 miles west of Saigon in Bien Hoa Province (III Corps), RVN. It was believed that the aircraft suffered a main rotor blade separation during flight. The lost personnel included pilots LCDR Lawrence L. Cover and LTJG Arnold W. Barden Jr., and crewmen AMS1 Harold E. Cowen and ADJ2 Charles H. Goldbin. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and seawolf.org]

Arnie, my memories of our special friendship are as vivid today as they were in the 1960s. I had great affection and admiration for you then and even more so now after you sacrificed your life for our country. You will never be forgotten.

DEAR LIEUTENANT, JG BARDEN,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN UNRESTRICTED LINE OFFICER - PILOT. WATCH OVER OUR NATION. VETERANS' DAY JUST PASSED - SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER AND HONOR ALL OF YOU. THANKSGIVING IS APPROACHING. WE GIVE THANKS FOR YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS GUIDE YOU. REST IN PEACE.

I went through flight school with Arnie. He was a great guy and a friend to all who know him. All of us grieved when we heard of his and LtCdr. Cover's deaths. He is still in my thoughts often.