THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. May you rest in eternal peace.

Captain Larry Ivan Broadhead, Served with the 325th Bomb Squadron, 4133rd Bomb Wing (Provisional), Strategic Air Command (SAC), United States Air Force.

Dear Captain Broadhead,
Thank you for your service as a Tactical Aircraft Pilot (Various.) It is Independence Day, and it is important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

On May 10, 1969, a B-52D Stratofortress (# 56-0593) from the 509th Bomb Wing (attached to the 4133rd Bomb Wing) at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam, crashed into the Pacific Ocean after takeoff. The crew was taking part in an Arc Light mission to the Ho Chi Minh Trail on the North Vietnam/Laos border. The jet started a right turn shortly after leaving the runway and crashed into the sea. All six crewmen on board were killed. The lost crewmen included aircraft commander CAPT James L. Sipes, co-pilot 1LT Larry I. Broadhead, radar navigator CAPT Russell L. Platt, navigator 1LT Maurice E. Lundy, electronic warfare officer 1LT Thomas R. McCormick, and gunner MSGT Harold B. Deel. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, aviation-safety.net, and ejection-history.org.uk]

Larry was pilot of B-52D 56-0593 which was lost immediately after take-off from Anderson AFB, Guam. The aircraft departed the runway over a high cliff and dipped below the horizon, but did not reappear on climb-out. It was lost in deep water beyond the reef surrounding the island. No wreckage was recovered and nothing specific was ever learned about what caused the accident, however several speculative opinions were put forth.
Larry and his crew were serving during operation Arc Light flying 12-hour bombing missions from Guam to their target and back with 2 air refuelings en route. They were on temporary duty from Fairchild AFB, Washington. The aircraft was based at Pease AFB, New Hampshire. There were aircraft and crews from several state-side bases serving together.