THE WALL OF FACES

Remembering you on your birthday; you are not forgotten.
from your cousin, Arlene

I will never forget you

Specialist Four Carl Calvin Bates Jr., Served with the 57th Assault Helicopter Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

SP4 Carl C. Bates Jr. was a flight-qualified helicopter mechanic and crewman serving with the 57th Assault Helicopter Company based at Kontum, RVN. On August 17, 1969, SP4 Bates was the gunner on a U.S. Army UH-1H helicopter during a flight into Laos to recover a Special Forces LLRP team when the aircraft was fired on by a hostile ground force. Bates was fatally wounded and the crew chief was critically injured. The aircraft was able to maintain flight and did not crash or burn. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Kenneth Morrison (October 2003) at thewall-usa.com]

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.