THE WALL OF FACES

Some may think you are forgotten
Though on earth you are no more
But in our memory you are with us
As you always were before….

Dear Captain James Lynch, Thank you for your service as a Tactical Aircraft Pilot. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Memorial Day is soon, but like none other. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

James Oliver Lynch would be 75 years old this year. Not a day goes by that I do not think of him and think what our family's lives would be like if he came home safely from Vietnam. To all families who have loved ones who are serving, have served and who mourn those no longer alive, may God grant you the grace to always remember that they are making and have made the ultimate sacrifice for others. Godspeed Jim! You will always be my hero.

The 20th Special Operations Squadron (20th SOS) abbreviated unit history states that on April 13, 1969, that while extracting a reconnaissance team, the flight was fired on after successfully making the pick-up. A gunship flying escort for the extraction, a U.S. Air Force UH-1F helicopter (tail number 65-07937), was hit by ground fire. The copilot, CAPT James O. Lynch, was killed and the aircraft commander seriously wounded. Although on the verge of unconsciousness due to the loss of blood and a wound in the left leg, the pilot managed to land in a nearby clearing. The aircraft came to rest with its tail boom broken and its skids ripped out from under it. The gunner, SGT Isidro Arroyo, was wounded in the back. Arroyo moved the dead and wounded pilots to the rescue slick while the other gunner sterilized the wreck. Unable to board this slick because there was no room, Arroyo waited on the ground for another helicopter to pick him up. The wrecked Huey was destroyed. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Dear Captain James Oliver Lynch, 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, Sir

Curt Carter