THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from those who knew you are moving and reflect their admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Originally, 1st LT Justice, whom I knew, was to go on this courier run. For some unknown reason, 2nd Lt. Leatherwood took his place. Upon learning of the crash, Lt. Justice walked around in a daze for several days. No, I never had the privilege of meeting Lt. Leatherwood. Every soldier who was not at work, had to go and search the crash site for classified documents. It was a sad day for all Army Security Agency/Radio Research Veterans, and for the loss of lives. God blessings upon William Leatherwood family!

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On February 17, 1966, an enlisted man from the U.S. Army’s 10th Radio Research Unit (attached to the 1st Cavalry Division) was on the airstrip at Phu Bai Airfield, RVN, attempting to hop a flight back to his unit at An Khe. The Specialist Five was on a courier run, carrying a packet of intelligence material needed by 1st Cav commanders. He talked his way onto a U.S. Marine Corps UH-34D Seahorse helicopter (#149380) from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (HMM-163) bound for An Khe. While waiting to takeoff, an Army officer came aboard and informed him he was pulling rank and that he would have to get off. The officer, 2LT William E. Leatherwood Jr. from A Company, 8th Field Radio Research Field Station, 509th Army Security Agency, had significant cargo with him which exceeded the load capacity of the Seahorse. The courier was steamed as he climbed down and watched from the edge of the runway the helicopter takeoff and rise away. He was still watching when, to his horror, the aircraft lost power around 300 feet and came back down rapidly, its main rotor blades coning up above it. It crashed about mid-runway, rolled on its left side, and burst into flames. Another Marine helicopter came over, its crew exiting to assist survivors. The aircraft lifted into a hover over the burning ship and beat down the flames, remaining until the airfield’s crash crew arrived. The Seahorse’s pilot and crew chief survived with severe burns. Leatherwood was fatally injured, and the gunner, CPL Calvin R. Hebert Jr., sustained second and third-degree burns over 70% of his body. He was medically evacuated to the U.S. Naval Hospital in Oakland, CA, where he expired five days later. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vhpa.org]

Dear Lt William Leatherwood, Thank you for your service with the 509th Army Security Agency Group. I researched you on your 53rd anniversary, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Happy Spring! For many of us, we have begun Lent. The time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.