THE WALL OF FACES

I remember John fondly and well from Hawthorne, grades 7 thru 9. 57-59. He went on the Alamo Heights High School, while I graduated from Jefferson. I graduated from Texas, and he, from TCU. Last time I saw him was on a Greyhound bus in 1963, both of us headed home. As I recall, he had "walked on" in football and had lasted into second year. RIP Jon, and thanks for your service My job in Army JAG was a lot safer than yours.

Dear Cap. Jon Olsson, Thank you for your service with the 4220th Air Refueling Squadron. I researched you on your 77th birthday, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Yesterday was Washington’s birthday, and Lent has begun. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Jon, thank you for your service. We were classmates and friends in high school. Both service brats. Both became aviators. R.I.P., Brother. Prayers for your family. You are remembered.

On December 19, 1969, a USAF KC-135A Stratotanker (#56-3629) from the 4220th Air Refueling Squadron based out of Castle Air Force Base south of Sacramento, California, crashed after take-off from Ching Chuan Kang Air Field in Taiwan while departing on a refueling mission over the South China Sea. There were reports that the aircraft encountered low-level wind shear during climb out, but the cause of crash could not be ascertained with any certainty. The wreckage was located days later in the waters of the Formosa Strait between the two Chinas. The four crewmen killed in the incident were recovered. They included aircraft commander MAJ Gene T. Wright, co-pilot CPT John M. Olsson, navigator CPT Douglas W. Murphy, and boom operator SMSG Howard G. Benford. The four lost airmen had their names added to Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in May 1986. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, aviation-safety.net, “Voices from an Old Warrior: Why KC-135 Safety Matters” by Christopher J.B. Hoctor]

Dear Captain Jon Michael Olsson, 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