THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

Warrant Officer James Arthur Barefield, Served with the 62nd Aviation Company (Corps), 11th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

Jim and I went through Army flight school together. We were stick buddies, which means we shared the same instructor pilot. He was a former Marine. He had two previous tours in Vietnam as a Marine hydraulicsman. As such, he was a door gunner, first tour on CH-34s, second on CH-46s. After Vietnam he went to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego as a Drill Instructor. He got caught "thumping" troops and was given the option of a Special Court-martial or an Honorable Discharge. He took the discharge and immediately enlisted in the Army Warrant Officer Rotary Wing Aviator program. We met at Ft. Wolters. He was an OUTSTANDING Candidate, a natural pilot and the most squared away Candidate in 6th Warrant Officer Candidate Company. We ended up being room mates during the last portion of training as we were on the Candidate Battalion Staff. We got to know each other quite well. We parted ways when I went directly to Ft. Rucker and he took a two-week leave. He opted for CH-47 Chinook transition after graduating from flight school, The last time I saw him was 24 May 1972. He was in the back of a truck on the way to the flight line at Marble Mountain Army Airfield. He was KIA that day. I will never forget him. His memory will be with me as long as I live. I became a Marine after my Army time was over partially because of him.

The war may be forgotten but the warrior will always be remembered. All gave Some-Some gave All. Rest in peace James.

DEAR WARRANT OFFICER BAREFIELD,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A CARGO HELICOPTER 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.