THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from those who knew you are touching and reflect their admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Dear Sgt John Marr, Thank you for your service as a Flight Qualified Armor Reconnaissance Specialist. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is the last day of spring, and Father’s Day is this weekend. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

On May 9, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A (tail number 65-12946), call sign White 13, from Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry based at Quan Loi, was on a visual reconnaissance mission eight miles east of Snoul in Cambodia, when it was directed by its Command & Control (C&C) aircraft to check out a possible enemy base camp. Upon arrival in the area, the C&C aircraft popped a red smoke marker to locate the area for White 13. White 13 asked the C&C aircraft to move away from the area and let him take a good look. The C&C aircraft moved out, allowing White 13 to reconnoiter the area. After moving into the trees, White 13 reported there was some high trees about 300 feet tall in the area and proceeded to check the area. White 13 made a call to Red 7 (an AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter) that he had spotted a bunker about 5'x8' in size and a hootch. White 13 had made about three passes around the bunker and hootch in a left hand turn when his main rotor blades struck one of the large trees and started to tear out the top of the trees. The aircraft did not go up or down immediately, however, after striking the tree for a short time (about one second), the aircraft nosed over and crashed to the ground bursting into flames. There was no radio call from White 13 during the accident. Both crewmen were killed in the crash. They included pilot CPT Rhonald L. Durham and gunner/observer SGT John A. Marr. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vhpa.org]

We were high school buddies since 1967 and u are forever in my thoughts and prayers. Think of u often and what the future would of been had u came home. Rest in peace my friend.

Sergeant John Austin Marr, Served with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, United States Army Vietnam.