THE WALL OF FACES

Brian was my platoon leader at Marquette University Navy ROTC when I was a freshman midshipman and he was a senior. He was a great guy. He made me shave my neck lower because my chest hair was visible above my necktie and shirt. His loss of life is sad.

On April 1, 1968, a U.S. Navy P-3B Orion (#153445) was on a routine coastal surveillance patrol as part of Operation Market Time, the Navy's effort to stop troops and supplies from flowing by sea from North Vietnam to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The aircraft, operating out of U Tapao, Thailand, received a requested assistance in establishing visual reconnaissance of a large Cambodian landing support ship (LSSL) that was reported to be off-loading cargo to sampans near the Cambodian Island of Hon Doc in the Gulf of Thailand. The Orion responded to the request and moments later reported to the Coastal Surveillance Center at An Thoi that it had received hostile fire from a .50 caliber antiaircraft gun. The P-3B was hit in the starboard wing, knocking out the #4 engine and starting a fire. All attempts to extinguish the flames were unsuccessful. Flying too low to bail out, the crew had to choose between ditching in hostile waters or attempt to make an emergency landing at Phu Quoc airfield less than 20 miles away. Within sight of the runway, and their wing still aflame, the crew prepared to land their stricken aircraft. As the plane banked left onto its final approach, the starboard wing tore off between #3 and #4 engine, and the P-3B tumbled into the sea with no survivors. The lost crew included LTJG Frank E. Hand III, LTJG Stuart M. McLellan, LTJG Brian J. Mathison, LTJG Michael J. Purcell, AME2 Donald W. Burnside, AT1 Kenneth L. Crist, AO2 William S. Cutting, AXC Donald E. Kulacz, AX3 Delmar L. Lawrence, AE1 Donald F. Wood, ADJ2 Edward O. Wynder, and AX1 Alvin G. Yoximer. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and public.navy.mil]

Thank you Lt. Mathison for your leadership and courage.

Dear LTJG Brian John Mathison, 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

Brian is buried at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, IL. AM/GS PH