THE WALL OF FACES

On August 26, 1968, a C-7B Caribou (#62-4177) cargo aircraft from the 457th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing, 7th Air Force, based at Phu Cat, was hit by ground fire in the starboard wing as it was flying close to the Cambodian border on an airlift flight, about 10 miles southwest of An Loc in Long Khanh Province, RVN. The aircraft crashed and exploded, killing the three crewmen. The lost crew included pilot CAPT Robert G. Bull, co-pilot 1LT Ralph W. Manners, and flight engineer A1C David F. Sleeper. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and c-7acaribou.com]

I checked my old copy of our senior year high school yearbook of 1962 and there is a note that Ralph ran the 2.5 mile cross country race in 13.03 minutes, finishing 5th in New York State. It was the fastest run in the history of our school. Quite an accomplishment!

Ralph and I were both in the class of 1962 at New Hyde Park Memorial High School. Both of us were active in sports and band, he in track and field and me in football and lacrosse. A few years ago I was able to go to Arlington to visit his grave site and place some flowers and a card at the wall as well. This past weekend I was able to do it again when the traveling wall visited the Veteran's Plaza of Northern Colorado in Ft Collins. His life was cut tragically short in service to his country.

I to grew up in New Hyde Park, NY and during the sixties I worked for Pan American World Airways at JFK INTL Airport as a mechanic. During the summers Ralph also worked for Pan Am as an aircraft cleaner. I used to give Ralph a ride to and from work. Ralph was a fine fun loving young man with an unforgettable huge smile. He is truly an American Hero who we all can be proud of. Its unfortunate he never had the opportunity to reach his full potential. RIP my friend, I think of you often and thank you for your service.

When you grow up in a community like New Hyde Park, Long Island, you are blessed to have friends and neighbors who know each other very well. It seemed like everyday Ralph and all of us were out playing what ever sport was in at that time. He and his family, to this day, stand strong, and I had the pleasure to communicate with his brother Roy last year, and made me feel great to talk to him. Ralph is in the heart and minds of a lot of people for all these years as he was a tremendous person. Thank you Ralph for your service and giving your life so we could have our own better life. Love you Steve Vlahakis