THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

Hi Grandpa its your grandson here i just wanted to say i am sorry that you had died the way you did but your death is not in vain it is and always will be honored on veterans day. thank you for your suvice fighting for our country and do what you could Grandma is okay, i have taken interest in the Army thanks to you. You have inspired me to fulfill my military dream and i hope you rest in peace because you deserve it. The family and I come and visit you twice every year. im sorry you never got to meet Me. Sincerely,- your grandson

First Lieutenant Howard John Becker Jr., Served with A Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.

DEAR CORPORAL BECKER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN ARMOR RECONNAISSANCE UNIT COMMANDER (PILOT) THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS OVER, AND IT IS A NEW YEAR, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. 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.

On July 15, 1971, a U.S. Army helicopter AH-1G Cobra gunship (tail number 67-15679) from A Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division, was on a combat assault mission southwest of Ca Lu Airfield in Quang Tri Province, RVN, when the aircraft suffered an engine failure following being struck by heavy machine gun/antiaircraft fire. The helicopter successfully autorotated into Da Krong River, which was at flood stage and muddy following heavy rains. A rescue UH-1 Huey helicopter hovered at scene and recovered aircraft commander CPT Ted J. Taylor from water, who stayed on one of the aircraft’s skids. While attempting to rescue co-pilot 1LT Howard J. Becker Jr., both were lost in water and drowned. Taylor's body never found. There are two accounts for this incident: First account - CPT Ted J. Taylor was the pilot of an AH1G Cobra gunship (serial #67-15674) that departed Quang Tri on July 15, 1971, on a combat assault mission. His destination was Red Devil Road in South Vietnam. As CPT Taylor's helicopter started to descend, an explosion occurred. Noticing his instruments were still in normal operating range, he decided to head for Forward Base Sheppard. He then reported that he had overshot Sheppard and was going to go on to Vandergrift, rather than circle around. Taylor was proceeding down the Quang Tri River when his aircraft engine failed. Taylor successfully autogyrated into the river, and he and the crew got safely out of the aircraft. They were standing at the tail section still wearing their body armor when the chase ship came to pick them up. During the rescue attempt, as CPT Taylor was being pulled off the helicopter skid, a strong river undertow sucked him under water. He was not seen after that moment. Search efforts in and along the river were unsuccessful in locating either Taylor or his body. [Taken from pownetwork.org] Second account (edited for brevity and clarity) - I was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam with A Troop 2nd 17th Air Cavalry, in Quang Tri, Vietnam. I must say that "Beck" (that’s what I called him) was very talented and very brave. He flew several very challenging missions and always dealt with adversity like a real warrior. Although 30 years have passed I clearly remember the day, circumstances, and mission that he and Ted (CPT Taylor) were on. They were in an AH1G Cobra on July 15, 1971. Ted was the aircraft commander and Howard was the experienced co-pilot on that mission. The aircraft was on its way out to the AO (area of operation). The aircraft was hit my enemy fire at approximately 2000 feet above ground level by 37mm antiaircraft fire, the fiercest ground fire the enemy had to fire at us. The round hit the engine and forced the aircraft into emergency autorotation. Ted quickly sought a safe landing spot, and professionally with no panic, Beck began to break out the glass canopy with his survival knife. The other Cobra on the mission flew right up next to your Beck's wounded aircraft and tried to convince Ted to land on the road (path) adjacent to the Bong Song River. This great pilots name was Herb Hood. Ted felt that the river landing would be safer. In hindsight now, it would have been better to land on the road, but Ted thought the rotor blade would hit the steep slope of the mountain and cause even more trouble. Unknown to anyone, the current was greater than expected, and as the aircraft softly plunged into the river, it was quickly engulfed with rushing, speedy currants, tipping the 54-foot aircraft on its side and eventually upside down. The log bird (UH-1 Huey helicopter) was quickly and professionally at a 10 foot hover right over your Beck’s downed bird, ready to whisk them to safety (CPT Curry and Marco Frye were pilots). Briefly Ted and Beck clung to the skids of the tumbling Cobra. In Ted and Howard's moments of terror, preceding the emergency landing, they forgot one thing, they forgot to (or were unable to) remove their heavy bullet-proof vests. Howard did his job in getting the glass canopy out of the way, but the currant was so great and the weight of the bullet proof vest, boots, gear, and flight suits proved too cumbersome to easily get into the rescue ship. Under the very worst of circumstances, with no immediate regard to his own safety or health, Beck clung to a totally spent comrade named Ted Taylor. In a valiant and heroic effort to save his drowning friend, Beck lunged repeatedly into the raging water to save Ted. Safety was at hand, and Howard's arm actually was near the safety of the skid of the rescue chopper. The weight, the repeated attempts to save his friend, and the raging waters made it impossible to gain hold. Ted and Howard plummeted down the river and, regretfully, Ted was never found. The next day, after exhaustive search of the river we found Beck. I do believe it is proper for me to say Beck died a true hero. He was an example of all that was good about being a helicopter pilot and soldier. It is his example that moved the emotions of an entire unit. His behavior moved the entire 101st Aviation Brigade to speak of him often and with deep respect; and for those of us who knew him and flew with him, it was a pleasure and an honor to have been his friend and comrade. (Narrative by Joe Sheridan, A Troop 2/17, 1970-71) [Taken from vhpa.org]