THE WALL OF FACES

I was fortunate to meet Steve at the MSC officers basic course at Ft Sam Houston. 8 from our class signed up for flight school. Steve, myself and two other guys rented a house in Weatherford, TX because Ft Wolters lacked housing. He was a great pilot and we had lots of fun both at Wolters and Rucker. He was dating Jane before he went to Nam and planned to marry upon his return. He also wanted to return to OSU and get his degree in dentistry. It was a real kick in the teeth when I read Jane’s letter about his death. I pray for him and all the crew members lost in Nam. Steve, I hope you are in God’s loving arms.
David Parhalo

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Ted Mumaw is touching. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever...

On November 26, 1968, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H from the 15th Medical Battalion was conducting a medical evacuation when it was shot down near Quan Loi and crashed and burned. There were no survivors. The lost crewmen included pilots CWO James D. Doran and 1LT Stephen C. Beals, crew chief SP4 John S. Alling Jr., and medics SP5 Johnny G. Gregg and CPL Robert E. Jones. There were six passengers aboard at the time of the shoot down. They included PFC Roger D. Algire, SP4 William M. Ebel, SP4 Bobby J. Perkins, SP4 Pietro Piconi, SP4 Curtis H. Rainer, and SP4 Patrick E. Smith. Also aboard was the body of PFC Lloyd A. Chess, who was killed in action previous to the attempted medical extraction. Chess was posthumously promoted to Corporal. The aircraft went down northwest of LZ Rita. The medevac reportedly received heavy ground fire and crashed roughly three miles south of the Cambodian border. At the time of the shoot down, all infantry companies in the vicinity had received orders to move south or southwest in a hurry to clear the area for an impending B-52 Arc Light strike. Two rifle companies were airlifted back to the location of the downed medevac. On November 28th (Thanksgiving Day), they located the wreckage and the bodies, confirmed the fatalities, and called for recovery assistance. All the bodies were recovered and airlifted back to Quan Loi. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vhpa.org]

I am the officer who notified the family of their loss. They were and are exceptional people. He has been in my heart and prayers since. May God Bless his family and may his memory live on.

DEAR LIEUTENANT BEALS,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A ROTARY WING AVIATION UNIT COMMANDER - PILOT - WITH THE 1ST CAVALRY. THIS WAS THE UNIT OF A FRIEND'S TWIN. SAY HI TO MIKE. IT IS STILL THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU. IT IS NEW YEAR, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.