THE WALL OF FACES

Landing Zone (LZ) Challenge was a 4th Infantry Division forward fire support base located 32 kilometers (19.2 miles) southwest of LZ English in Binh Dinh Province, RVN. On the afternoon of February 14, 1970, a 119th Assault Helicopter Company resupply aircraft, call sign Gator 586, was lifting off Challenge when enemy ground fire entered the right rear cabin. Door gunner SP4 Henry L. Aderholt was struck in the abdomen by a single round of AK-47 fire. He tumbled out of the helicopter, landing on his back in the LZ. The infantry unit at the base attended to Aderholt who reportedly had them relay to his crew members to wait for gunship coverage before attempting to recover him. After being picked up, he was flown to the 67th Evacuation Hospital in Quin Nhon for emergency surgery, later transferred to the U.S. Army’s 106th General Hospital in Japan. Following his release from active duty on December 30, 1970, Aderholt resided in Birmingham, AL, surviving two years as a fully disabled veteran before succumbing to complications from his Vietnam injuries. His name was added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in May 2011. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and virtualwall.org]

Sgt Henry Lester "Hingie" Aderholt is buried at Sunrise Memorial Gardens in Alabama.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

The war may be forgotten but the warrior will always be remembered. All gave Some-Some gave All. Rest in peace Henry.

DEAR SGT. ADERHOLT,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A FLIGHT QUALIFIED AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE APPRENTICE. REST IN PEACE