THE WALL OF FACES

You were one of my favorite uncles. You daughter whom you never got the chance to meet grew up to be a beautiful young woman. Rest in peace. I we love you. Margie

Rest in peace with the warriors. (Photo Credit: Mike Olson)

THE AIRCRAFT WITH CREW MEMBERS AC W1 RL LESONIK, P W1 TARRY T. O’REILLY (KIA), CE SP5 FRANK M. KAISER (KIA), AND G SP5 ALAN H. JOHNSON (KIA) WITH SEVERAL PASSENGERS INCLUDING 1LT RAYMOND J. DILORENZO (KIA) WAS ON A SUPPORT MISSION FOR MACV TEAM 42, BINH DINH PROVINCE, RVN, APO 96238. THE MISSION CARRIED THEM FROM QUIN NHON TO VINH QUANG WHERE THEY MADE A STOP TO OFF LOAD A DECEASED PERSON. THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO TUY PHUOC ON THE SECOND LEG OF THE MISSION. THE AIRCRAFT WAS TRAVELING AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 200-300 FEET AGL AT AN UNDETERMINED AIRSPEED. IT WAS HEADED IN A NORTH WESTERLY DIRECTION WHEN WITNESSES NOTICED THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT PITCH UP AND THEN THE AIRCRAFT MADE A DESCENDING LEFT TURN AS THOUGH IN AUTOROTATION. A CLANKING OR LOUD RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE AIRCRAFT, SMOKE OR FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE COWLING BELOW THE SWASH PLATE ASSEMBLY JUST BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT MADE A LEFT DESCENDING TURN. THIS TURN TO THE AIRCRAFT'S FINAL HEADING OF 150 PLACED THE AIRCRAFT IN A DOWNWIND LANDING SITUATION. THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED WITH EXCESSIVE FORWARD AIRSPEED, STRUCK THE GROUND RIGHT SKID FIRST. AFTER IMPACT IT TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET BEFORE STRIKING A 2 FOOT BY A 2 FOOT DIKE. IT THEN TRAVELED 25 FEET MORE WHERE IT STRUCK A 4 FOOT HIGH BANK AND BURST INTO FLAMES. AT THIS POINT THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN COMING APART AND THE ROTOR ASSEMBLY SEPARATED. THE AIRCRAFT THEN TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 110 FEET THROUGH THE AIR BEFORE IMPACTING AGAIN. FROM THIS POINT THE FUSELAGE SLID AND TUMBLED ANOTHER 90 FEET WHERE IT CAME TO REST AND BURNED. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Frank is buried at St James cemetery, Nassau, MN.

Dear Specialist Kaiser,

I write to say thank you for your service to our nation. The day I was born is the day you lost your life. I am profoundly struck by that reality and hope I live a life that honors your servie and sacrifice.