THE WALL OF FACES

That night John died, I was a 23 year old LTJG in an A-4 Skyhawk 1/4 mile behind him and the next to land on Hancock after John cleared the landing area. The flight deck burst into flames and the debris slid up the deck and over the side. After wandering around for awhile trying to get hooked up with a tanker, I was finally vectored to the USS America where I landed with less than 500 lbs of fuel on board.
It was a hell of a night.
Because I was an LSO, I knew John well. Nice guy.
I think of him often and visit him at our Wall South.

On August 31, 1968, during a carrier night-landing attempt in a Vought F-8H "Crusader", LCDR John E. Bartocci's aircraft went down. His body was never recovered. [Narrative taken from pownetwork.org; image from wikipedia.org]

Dear LCDR John Eugene Bartocci, 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

John has a military stone in his honor at Ft Rosecrans Nat Cem.

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you John Eugene Bartocci, for your continued vigilant and faithful service, to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore Sir, you shall never be forgotten!

Again, thank you LCDR Bartocci, for a job well done!

MAYBE ONE DAY SOON.....UNTIL THEN.....HEAVENLY PEACE MY FRIEND