THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Janice McMillan is poignant and reflects her eternal love for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

Dear Lt Jacob Kinser, Thank you for your service as a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is the 3rd Day of Christmas, Merry Christmas. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

On March 8, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H (tail number 68-15540) from the 155th Assault Helicopter Company was the lead aircraft in a group of four helicopters carrying an Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) Special Forces team during an insertion operation. The mission began at Ban Me Thuot and was headed to Duc Lap when thick, foggy conditions were encountered. Visibility was very poor, and the flight had to follow a narrow road cut out of the trees while flying under clouds at about 50 feet off the ground. They were flying fast (between 50–70 knots airspeed) to avoid hostile groundfire. The third helicopter was communicating with the lead flight when they suddenly stopped responding. The three other aircraft continued and completed the flight. While returning to base, they found the crashed helicopter after visualizing a column of smoke rising from the jungle. A medivac was sent to the scene where a single ARVN survivor was found. He reportedly told U.S. Army officials that they either got too high in the fog, or the helicopter lowered to the ground, causing the pilot to bank right, then left, then hit a tree. The lost U.S. crew included aircraft commander 1LT Jacob L. Kinser, pilot WO1 David K. Erenstoft, crew chief SP5 William R. Rogne, and gunner SP4 Wim Goeree. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vhpa.org, and the book “Secret Green Beret Commandos in Cambodia: A Memorial History of MACV-SOG's in Cambodia” by Fred S. Lindsey]

My brother and my friend. I was so proud of all that you stood for. Miss hearing you play your trumpet and singing with you.