THE WALL OF FACES

Thanks for your service to our country sir. Rest in eternal peace.

DEAR PFC BATES,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A FLIGHT QUALIFIED GRUNT. IT BUGS ME THAT YOU WERE LOST NEAR YOUR BIRTHDAY. SIGH. ADVENT IS HERE, AND CHRISTMAS IS APPROACHING. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU. THE NEW YEAR IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.

On February 18, 1968, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D (tail number 64-13845) from A Company, 123rd Aviation Battalion, 23rd Infantry Division, was shot down by automatic weapons fire while climbing out of a pick-up zone while on a combat assault. The aircraft crashed and burned. There were no survivors. The lost crewmen included pilots WO1 Jeffrey R. Byrne and WO1 Noel D. Williams, crew chief SP4 David W. Heck, and gunner PFC Brian W. Bates. Four passengers from C Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry were also lost. They were PFC Tommie Brandon, PFC Darrell L. Cabell, SP4 Rhondal G. Claypool, and SGT James G. Standefer. The lost UH-1 aircraft was participating in the combat assault of Charlie Company from their operating location to the north of LZ Hardcore (Hill 148), located near Alpha Company in the vicinity of Minibase Fox. When hit, the aircraft was gaining altitude after leaving the pick-up zone. It was believed the pilot was wounded or killed; the aircraft lost altitude rapidly and went out of control, crashed and burned. All the crew and troops aboard were killed. The helicopter was a total loss. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vhpa.org, and veteransmemorial.us]

Dear PFC Brian William Bates, 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

Brian, Veteran's Day just passed and I want you to know that you are always my hero. You are forever in my heart and you are so very, very missed. A little sister's love is for eternity and the memories of days gone by are etched in my mind.
I love you and miss you always and forever.