THE WALL OF FACES

Roy, who as I remember, was a likable easygoing guy who everybody liked and thought well of. Roy and I became good friends as fellow pilots in the Wasp platoon of the 116th AHC Hornets.
The day of the incident, Roy and I were both flying resupply missions in the Quang Nail region south of Chu Lai. A major typhoon was approaching with the weather already deteriorating and promising to be an extended weather event. Fearing that the area firebases might have to endure an extended time before resupply missions could be resumed, it was deemed important to make sure the various firebases had plenty of supplies in stock before the typhoon hit.
Roy and I were in communication with each other updating each on weather conditions and our mission progress.
I made an approach to a new FB hilltop that was just being established. I was unable to land with no prepared landing pad and numerous surveyor stakes where I assume was being prepped for landing pad construction. With the winds now blowing quite strongly and making our chopper hard to hold at a controlled hover, we experienced a tail rotor strike which we determined by a vibration in our pedals.
I advised Roy of my situation and that we were going to another FB to shut down and observe how severe the tail rotor damage was.
Being on the ground, we were unable to communicate with our maintenance in Da Nang so Roy relayed our status to the maintenance officer who advised to abort our mission and fly straight back home.
Since Roy had completed is last sorty, he volunteered to complete the remaining resupply missions.

While flying back to Marble Mountain airfield, I remained in contact with Roy and his crew and we commented on how quickly the weather was deteriorating. The wind was increasing and ceiling height as well as visibility were decreasing rapidly.
I faintly remember my last communication with Roy in which I basically asked him to be careful and don't take chances flying in the mountains with bad weather.

It was determined that Roy flew up a valley with a lowering ceiling and kept descending to stay below the clouds and due to poor visibility flew into the side of a mountain.

Uncle Roy thank you for guiding me to Brandie. I was memorializing you on Memorial Day. I looked at your Grave Marker. I admired the engraved phrase. I decided since I’m kinda new to Facebook to try to find Brandie Barns, my cousin. I put her name in search engine. I randomly picked a Brandie Barns. I thought her details would tell me something. In the details of this Brandie Barns’ page, I found her favorite quote.”I may not be the best but the best are no better than I” It was from your grave marker. Thank you for putting me together with Brandie when we both needed more family love. I carry your name proudly.

My friend. 50 years ago on June 3 you risked it all to save my life. I will never forget. You are my hero.

My friend. 50 years ago on June 3 you risked it all to save my life. I will never forget. You are my hero.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The tributes from friends and family attest to their love and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...