THE WALL OF FACES

On April 11, 1968, a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter UH-34D (tail number 145804) from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 163 (HMH-163) was involved in a mid-air collision with a U.S. Marine Corps UH-1E helicopter (tail number 154968) from Marine Observation Squadron 6 (VMO-6) with the loss of twelve personnel. The UH-34D, call sign Seaworthy 4-5, was launched on an emergency medevac mission with two VMO-6 Huey gunship escorts to pick up some wounded Marines in the hills around Khe Sanh. They were on their way to Delta Med at Dong Ha when they collided and crashed near the abandoned refugee camp at Cam Lo. The gunships were flying above and behind the UH-34, as usual. According to one of the gunners on the second gunship, the 34 and lead Huey just "kind of kissed" and both went down. The UH-34 was torn apart and the UH-1E was consumed by fire. The lost UH-34 crew included aircraft commander CPT Eugene R. Gannon, co-pilot 2LT John P. Holden II, crew chief CPL Frederick D. Graten, and gunner CPL John A. Nixon. The passengers were CPL Robert W. Belcher, PFC Dennis R. Davidson, PFC Richard E. Erwin, and PFC Charles R. Finley. The lost gunship crew was aircraft commander 1LT Ronald E. Riede, co-pilot CPT Bruce F. McMillan, crew chief CPL Paul J. Allen, and gunner LCPL Michael G. Demarco. [Taken from vhpa.org and popasmoke.com]

Remembering you on this Veterans Day, November 11, 2017 As it is also your birthday I pray that you have family members left to remember you each and every day.

DEAR CORPORAL BELCHER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I COULD NOT FIND YOUR MOS, BUT YOU ARE APPRECIATED. SEMPER FI. IT IS A NEW YEAR, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.

Corporal Robert Winslow Belcher, Served with the Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

Corporal Robert Winslow Belcher, Served with the Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine division, Third Marine Amphibious Force.