THE WALL OF FACES

I served with Randy in Viet Nam in echo co. Randy was a hard working, unselfish person- a really great person. I'm proud to have served with him. Randy and men like him are our true heros!

Dear SGT Randall Eugene Maggio, 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

Aircraft was flying a resupply mission. The aircraft departed from the Chu Lai airfield to the proposed resupply point in Elephant Valley about 15 miles to the northwest. The weather which was already bad became worse forcing the aircraft to fly low level and finally abort the first attempt of the resupply. The aircraft returned to the Chu Lai area and chose a new route. The new route was up a valley and again weather forced the aircraft to fly low level. The aircraft finally flew into IFR conditions and during the following seconds crashed into the side of the valley. Three crew members, aircraft commander WO1 Roy D. Barnes, pilot WO1 Pat G. Brannon, and crew chief SP5 Daniel G. Dye, and a passenger, SGT Randall E. Maggio, suffered fatal injuries in the crash. The fourth crewman and four other passengers survived. [Taken from vhpa.org]

I am also a friend of Randy's brother Drex, and have met most of the family. It is no surprise that Randy died serving his fellow soldier -- that would be the Maggio way.

May he rest in peace.

This photo was taken a couple of weeks prior to Randy's death. At the time, he was the chief radio operator at the battalion tactical operation center in Chu Lai. He was scheduled to go home in less than a month. A few days after the photo was taken, a typhoon had hit the region hard. It prevented troops, 35 km to the west in the mountainous jungles, from getting their much-needed supplies. There was a break in the weather when the eye of the storm passed through and Randy volunteered to help with the helicopter resupply. They were shorthanded and the time-window was short. The helicopter Randy was riding in was to supply several platoons then head back to Chu Lai. Somewhere between the first and second drop-offs, the chopper lost visibility and crashed into the jungle near the top of a mountain, killing Randy and four others. In typical Randy fashion, he was unselfish and was giving help where it was needed most. Randy was from my home town, a fellow soldier in Vietnam, and a close friend. I love him and miss him.