THE WALL OF FACES

George, I have seen a memorial sign in your hometown of Dorchester. Your story is that of a hero. I flew for B Co 4/158th AVN 21 years later. Inspired by men like you. God Bless you and all who gave it all.

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

I was very young when you went to Vietnam and I did not understand the sacrifice you and so many made to fight for freedom. I do remember that my mother loved you and that you loved her. I still have the Vietnamese dolls that you sent me and there is always a special place in my heart for you.

After your untimely death, I volunteered for a tour of duty in Vietnam; and served proudly in your honor.

On May 23, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H (tail number 68-15628) from B Company, 158th Assault Helicopter Battalion, was conducting a visual reconnaissance in support of Operation Barber Glade south of Khe Sanh in Quang Tri Province, RVN, when it was shot down by a hostile ground force. The aircraft was flying at about 40 feet of altitude and 45 knots of speed when a rocket-propelled grenade went through the tail boom, damaging the driveshaft and causing the helicopter to crash and burn. Six U.S. personnel and two Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) personnel were killed in the incident. The lost Americans included pilots WO1 George F. Barry Jr. and CPT Eugene S. Miller, crew chief SP4 William H. Vaught III, and gunner SP4 Stephen J. Perkins; also lost were passengers MAJ Shane N. Soldato and WO1 Larrie J. Landersheim. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vhpa.org]