THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Dear Lt Ronald Knight, Thank you for your service as a Tactical Aircraft Pilot. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Happy New Year in heaven. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

First Lieutenant Ronald Harold Knight, Served with the 361st Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron, 460th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 7th Air Force.

My first assignment after flight school was with Ron. I flew with him for about six months, and then I volunteered to transfer to Nakhon Phanom, Thailand . . . flying the same mission, same aircraft. I learned of Ron's death and what happened; much later, I visited the Wall and found his name. With great difficulty, I might go again. His memory is deep inside me. Bob Anderson.

On October 8, 1969, an EC-47P tail number 43-49100, call-sign Prong 33, was on a radio direction finding mission out of Phu Cat Air Base. After returning to base to have an inoperable navigational instrument fixed, the aircraft launched into marginal weather. Upon arrival in its operating area, the pilot in command determined that the weather conditions were unsafe and turned back toward Phu Cat. Prong 33 was given a radar-controlled approach to Phu Cat, but as the aircraft approached the airfield, the crew reported an inverter fire and loss of directional and attitude instruments. Shortly after that call, radio and radar contact with Prong 33 was lost. Bad weather hampered search and rescue operations and the wreckage was not located until four days later, on October 12, 1969. Six crewmembers died in the crash. They included radio operators SSGT Elmore L. Hall and SGGT Michael L. Stiglich from the 6994th Security Squadron; and pilot 1LT Ronald H. Knight, copilot 1LT Max E. Rosen, navigator CAPT Bradley R. Ransom, and flight engineer TSGT Sylvester W. Redman from the 361st Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron. [Taken from 6994th.com]