THE WALL OF FACES

Specialist Four Royce Lee Addington, Served with the 243rd Assault Support Helicopter Company, 10th Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

SP4 Royce L. Addington was a CH-47 helicopter mechanic serving with the 243rd Assault Support Helicopter Company, nicknamed “Freight Train.” Working in a rear echelon capacity as a mechanic did not preclude handling weapons as part of SP4 Addington’s daily routine since many clerks, cooks, and others with administrative and supply duties participated in providing security on the perimeters of where they were based. On the morning of November 12, 1970, Addington has just finished his turn at overnight guard duty. The Sergeant of the guard arrived in a vehicle to relieve him of duty. Evidently, the weapon Addington was carrying, a M60 machine gun, was not properly cleared, and a round remained in the chamber. On the way back to the company area the vehicle hit a bump and the weapon discharged, striking Addington and mortally wounding him. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Terry Warren (March 2018)]

DEAR SPEC 4 ADDINGTON,
YOUR SERVICE TO OUR NATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU.
REST IN PEACE.

My sisters and I went to school with you, my sister Kathy was the same age. I want to thank you for the ultimate sacrifice....as a veteran of the U.S. Air Force I feel the loss of any service member deeply. Royce you are a true American Hero

Dear SP4 Royce Lee Addington, 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