THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. We should be forever thankful for the sacrifices of you and so many others to ensure the freedoms we so often take for granted.

CAPT Edward C. Krawczyk is buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Providence, RI.

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Dear Captain Edward Krawczyk, Thank you for your service as a Navigator. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Today is Lincoln’s birthday. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

On the night of May 4-5, 1968, Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army forces started a widespread offensive which came be termed "Mini-Tet" by the Americans and involved attacks on over a hundred towns and cities across South Vietnam. Two U.S. Air Force 4th Air Commando Squadron Douglas AC-47D gunships were launched from Phu Cat to engage Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army rocket and mortar sites that were firing on the Pleiku Air Base. One, AC-47D tail number 43-16159, launched with a short crew (only one gunner aboard), while the other, AC-47D tail number 43-76207, carried two extra men including a new navigator taking his first orientation flight and an Army Warrant Officer observer. Once over target, both aircraft were shot down within minutes of each other, killing nine of the fifteen crewmen. The lost crewmen in AC-47D 43-16159 included aircraft commander CAPT Barry L. Brown, pilot LTC Leslie E. Harris Jr., navigator MAJ Teddy J. Tomchesson, loadmaster SSGT James E. Bowman, aerial gunner SGT Douglas J. Cradeur, and flight mechanic SGT Roy L. Lede; in AC-47D 43-76207, the lost crew members were pilot CAPT Donald L. Merry, co-pilot MAJ Richard W. Wackerfuss, and second navigator CAPT Edward C. Krawczyk. Five others survived. Flight mechanic SGT Nacey Kent sustained a broken leg when 43-76207 crash landed. Despite his injury, he repeatedly entered the wrecked aircraft to rescue other crewmembers. Kent was awarded the Air Force Cross for his efforts. The other survivors included first navigator COL Armstrong, loadmaster Kirby Wilson, aerial gunners Ducat and Bryant, and the Army Warrant Officer, name unknown. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and virtualwall.org]

Dear Captain Edward Chester Krawczyk, 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