THE WALL OF FACES

Specialist Five Loren Duane Martinsen, Served with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 4th Battalion, 77th Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.

While back east for my neice's graduation from Annapolis we toured DC. We were able to view the Vietnam memorial and I was able to locate Loren's name. Being Memorial weekend there were thousands of veterans along the walk. It really brought it home how many lives were affected by that war. I am proud of our soldiers and thank them for their sacrifices.
Loren was the only person I knew from Red Bluff who lost his life in that war protecting our freedom. He had been the boyfriend of a longtime friend. His death was a blow to our community.
We have a son and nephew in the Air Force, a niece in the Navy and the children of friends currently in other branches. Our prayers follow them everyday. Thank you and God bless.

On November 27, 1968, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C (tail number 66-00611) from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB), 4th Battalion, 77th Aerial Rocket Artillery Unit, 101st Airborne Division was shot down in Thua Thien Province with the loss of five U.S. Army personnel. The crew members included aircraft commander WO1 John W. Brinkmeyer, pilot LTC Roger J. Bartholomew, gunner SP4 Ernest L. Barber, and crew chief SP5 Loren D. Martinsen. A single passenger was also on board the helicopter, COL Edward B. Vogel, one of the 101st Airborne Division's Artillery commanders in Viet Nam. The following in personal account for this incident: I was a WO1 at the time in A Battery 4/77 ARA. LTC Bartholomew was my battalion commander. During an ARA mission to the Bowling Alley near FB Tomahawk, LTC Bartholomew's aircraft was engaged by extremely heavy enemy fire and crashed. His wingman said it was likely that most crewmen were dead or seriously wounded before the crash. COL Vogel was visiting the ARA unit and decided to go along on the mission. LTC Bartholomew was in the typical racetrack pattern with his wingman when he spotted the enemy. He made an immediate turn back, thereby forcing his wingman to break away and making it impossible to provide cover to the other aircraft. It has been stated that LTC Bartholomew told his wife he would not return. He was killed less than a month into his tour. Other than the crewmen on that aircraft, no original members of A Battery or HHB died during their tour. This report is not meant to disparage the reputation or flying capability of LTC Bartholomew. [From Bob B. Black, LTC USAR (Retired)] [Taken from vhpa.org]

On November 27, 1968, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C (tail number 66-00611) from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB), 4th Battalion, 77th Aerial Rocket Artillery Unit, 101st Airborne Division was shot down in Thua Thien Province with the loss of five U.S. Army personnel. The crew members included aircraft commander WO1 John W. Brinkmeyer, pilot LTC Roger J. Bartholomew, gunner SP4 Ernest L. Barber, and crew chief SP5 Loren D. Martinsen. A single passenger was also on board the helicopter, COL Edward B. Barry, one of the 101st Airborne Division's Artillery commanders in Viet Nam. The following in personal account for this incident: I was a WO1 at the time in A Battery 4/77 ARA. LTC Bartholomew was my battalion commander. During an ARA mission to the Bowling Alley near FB Tomahawk, LTC Bartholomew's aircraft was engaged by extremely heavy enemy fire and crashed. His wingman said it was likely that most crewmen were dead or seriously wounded before the crash. COL Vogel was visiting the ARA unit and decided to go along on the mission. LTC Bartholomew was in the typical racetrack pattern with his wingman when he spotted the enemy. He made an immediate turn back, thereby forcing his wingman to break away and making it impossible to provide cover to the other aircraft. It has been stated that LTC Bartholomew told his wife he would not return. He was killed less than a month into his tour. Other than the crewmen on that aircraft, no original members of A Battery or HHB died during their tour. This report is not meant to disparage the reputation or flying capability of LTC Bartholomew. [From Bob B. Black, LTC USAR (Retired)] [Taken from vhpa.org]

Dear SP5 Loren Daune Martinsen, 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