THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The letter you wrote to your son Jeffery is especially poignant and reflects your love for him. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Tom and I were both Counterintelligence Special Agents. He specialized in Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM). We were assigned to the Pentagon Counterintelligence Force for 2 years. He was the lead investigator of the GRAPPLE TRIP (U) telephone bugging case inside General Westmoreland's Pentagon office. We worked that case for weeks almost 24 hours a day. I went to his funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. The Priest who officiated didn't even know his name but did his best to comfort Tom's wife. He was KIA when the C-46 aircraft crashed while he was on TSCM mission for MACSOG; an Army report later revealed that the crash was "probable sabotage". Hand Salute Old Friend I'll see you soon in Valhalla.

Dear Ssgt Thomas Lejeune, Thank you for your service as as a Counterintelligence Agent. 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.

On June 5, 1972, an Air America Curtiss C-46A with 29 passengers (11 U.S. military, 14 SVN military, 1 SVN civilian, and 3 Air America mechanics) plus a crew of three crashed on approach near Pleiku, Vietnam after stops at Saigon and Hue-Phu Bai. The eleven U.S. military personnel confirmed KIA included LTC Ronnie A. Mendoza, LTC Andrew F. Underwood, MAJ Calvin T. Gore, 1LT Charles L. Flott, SFC Andee Chapman Jr., SGT Kenneth L. Barnett, MAJ Nicholas Quinones-Borras, CAPT James F. Hollis, CAPT Walter S. Mullen, SSGT Thomas M. Lejeune, and SGT Michael L. Hutson. The ground commander of the recovery force noted that it took about six days to find the crash site because of poor weather. The recovery team had to rappel in and lift the bodies out on ropes. The mountainous area and turbulent winds did not allow the team to land any rotary aircraft. Note: One source mentions this aircraft was shot down, while another claims the crash was non-hostile. [Taken from macvsog.cc and planecrashinfo.com]

Dear SSGT Thomas Milton Lejeune, 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