THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from your sisters are touching and reflect their admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Dear Sp4 Richard Johnston, Thank you for your service as a Flight Qualified Huey, UH-1 Helicopter Repairer. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It's almost Columbus Day. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

At approximately 1530 hours, August 17, 1970, a single UH-1H helicopter (serial number 67-17587) from the 119th Aviation Company departed from Landing Zone Powder. The crew included aircraft commander WO1 Merlyn L. Wentzel, pilot WO1 Patrick R. O’Brien, crew chief SP4 Richard K. Johnston, and gunner SP4 Raymond L. Stansbury II. The three passengers, SP4 Paul A. Demaline, PFC Robert A. Ater, and SP4 Chester A. Pudlo, were being flown to LZ North English, which is approximately 25 kilometers to the southeast of LZ Powder. SP4 Pudlo was being flown to LZ North English for DEROS processing (preparation for rotating home). The aircraft, rather than going to LZ North English, deviated from its course and flew toward the coast where it crashed. According to a witness, SGT Phan Boe, the aircraft approached the beach from the southwest on a heading of approximately 040 degrees. The aircraft was very low level over the river, below the crest of the sandbars on either side. The aircraft made an abrupt, climbing turn to the right, to avoid hitting a bamboo fishing tower near the east bank of the river. At this time the tail boom of the aircraft struck the top of the sandbar and the aircraft began to spin out of control. Further investigation revealed when the tail boom struck the sandbar, one of the tail rotor blades was torn loose, causing the aircraft to spin uncontrollably. It was in this spin that SP4 Pudlo, the only survivor, was thrown from the aircraft. After impacting left nose low, the tail boom, complete with 90 degree gearbox and one (1) tail rotor blade, was torn from the aircraft and came to rest, up-side down, approximately ten (10) meters to the west of the fuselage. The main rotor assembly came to rest on the west side of the sandbar at the edge of the river, approximately one hundred (100) meters from the fuselage. No fire resulted from the crash. As far as the post-crash investigation could determine, aircraft 67-17587 was not in radio contact immediately prior to the crash, nor was there a distress call. The bodies were taken to LZ English and later to Qui Nhon, where an autopsy was performed. SP4 Pudlo was examined and treated in the 67th Evacuation Hospital in Qui Nhon, RVN, then removed to Japan on August 19, 1970. At 1730 hours, August 17, 1970, 1LT Richard F. Stewart, the appointed investigating officer, arrived at the scene of the accident. He insured the security of the aircraft and had a military photographer take pictures of the crash site. Fuel and oil samples were not taken at this time because sample bottlers were not available. Rigging of the aircraft for extraction was postponed until the next afternoon due to impending darkness and inclement weather. Security was provided by elements of the 137rd Airborne Brigade. The aircraft was removed the following afternoon, August 18, 1970. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Rick was a great Big Brother and I still miss him today. I am sorry he was never able to meet his two wonderful nephews who are so much like him. I love you Rick and I know we will meet again someday.

Dear SP4 Richard Keith Johnston, 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