THE WALL OF FACES

Remember to save for them a place inside of you, and save one backward glance when you are leaving, for the places they can no longer go...

Dear Major Gerard Kieswetter, Thank you for your service as a VMR Pilot. Your 92nd birthday is soon, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Advent, and we are beginning our preparations. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Major Gerard Martin Kieswetter, Served with Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11 (H&MS-11), Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Marine Wing Support Group 17 at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni (MCAS Iwakuni), Japan, had been directed to provide fixed-wing transport services to the 1st Marine Air Wing in Vietnam. To that end, Marine Air Base Squadron 17 was sent to Da Nang, RVN, with two C-117Ds, two US-2Bs, and one C-45 aircraft. On July 25, 1966, a C-117D (BuNo 17211) was on a routine transport flight when it stalled and crashed shortly after takeoff from Da Nang, killing eight of the 31 persons aboard and injuring most of the rest. The dead included pilot LTC David Cleeland, crewmen MAJ Clifton B. Andrews, CAPT Jerome C. Winters, and SGT Robert C. Moore, plus passengers MAJ Gerard M. Kieswetter, GSGT Willis S. Bowman Jr., CPL Mickey R. Grable, and PFC Jimmy D. Baccus. [Taken from togetherweserved.com and aviation-safety.net]

Dear Major Gerard Martin Kieswetter, 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