THE WALL OF FACES

War drew us from our homeland
In the sunlit springtime of our youth.
Those who did not come back alive remain
in perpetual springtime -- forever young --
And a part of them is with us always.

Dear Sp4 Robert Melton, Thank you for your service as a Quartermaster Supply Specialist. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Yesterday was POW/MIA Recognition Day, and today is the first day of autumn. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Bobby and I grew up together in Lexington, NC and graduated together from Lexington Senior High School on May 28, 1964.He was such a fun person to know--just look at that big smile. Hearing that he had been killed in Vietnam was such horrible news, I started to wonder just why were our "best and brightest" being shipped over to Vietnam to fight and die, and what could I, a civilian, do to support those who were sent there? The answer was to serve with the American Red Cross as a "Donut Dolly" as soon as I graduated from the University of Georgia in 1968.I tried to being "a touch of home to the combat zone" for guys like Bobby and our classmate Jimmy Hester who also paid the ultimate price on 12/24/68.So proud to have known these two great hometown friends who will never be forgotten. "Forever Young" as the rest of us are now in our 70s.

Dear SP4 Robert Franklin Melton Jr, 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

Crew included CW2 Robert G. Strange (KIA), CW2 AJ Bottom (KIA), SP5 Kenneth W. Teeter (KIA), SP4 Thomas J. Harty (KIA), and SP6 Herman L. Gurr (KIA). Passengers on board were PFC Raymond C. Jackson (KIA), MAJ Ralph D. Cordell (KIA), SP4 Robert F. Melton (KIA), SP4 Roger A. Hites (KIA). For unknown reasons, the main fuselage inverted, possibly due to a blade separation after leaving Can Tho. The aft pylon and cockpit portions separated from the main fuselage. Analysis revealed that the aft synchronizing shaft was installed reversed and that the aft green blade failed in fatigue at a point 14 feet 3 inches from the center of the hub. The blade loss might be due to a strike by an unknown object. Crash resulted in 9 fatalities with no survivors. [Taken from vhpa.org]