THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Dear Lt William Michel, Thank you for your service as a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander - Helicopter Pilot with the 1st Cavalry. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is another autumn. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Bill: Thinking of you today and many days. God bless.

On July 7, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H (tail number 69-15138) from the 11th Aviation Company (General Support), 1st Cavalry Division, was on an administrative flight when it crashed in bad weather in the mountains approximately 25 miles northwest of Bao Loc in Tuyen Duc Province, RVN. Seven U.S. personnel were killed in the incident. They included aircraft commander 1LT William F. Michel, pilot MGN George W. Casey, crew chief SGT Ronald F. Fuller, and gunner SGT William L. Christenson; also lost were passengers MAJ John A. Hottell III, SGM Kenneth W. Cooper, and SGT Vernon K. Smolik Jr. The helicopter was in a flight of two aircraft headed to Cam Ranh Air Base. MGN Casey, flight-qualified and at the controls of 138, intended to visit wounded members of his command convalescing at a medical facility there. After reporting their position 25 miles southwest of Dalat at 9:30 AM, the two helicopters turned through a hole in the clouds from an altitude of approximately 6500 feet. The chase ship, Aircraft 502, saw the ground at about 3500 feet as both helicopters continued descending. The descent was made into a valley with steep ridge lines and a river at the bottom. Aircraft 502 lost visual contact with Aircraft 138, then regained visual contact, then lost it again. Both aircraft went IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) after entering clouds. Aircraft 138 radioed 502 that he was IFR and doing a 180 degree turn and recommended that 502 do the same. This was the last known contact made with Aircraft 138. Aircraft 502 began climbing in order to return to VFR (Visual Flight Rules). Aircraft 502 broke out at 7000 feet, and running low on fuel proceeded the approximately 15 to 20 minutes to Dalat. The lost Aircraft 138 was located two days later on a hillside near the Cambodian border approximately 25 miles northwest of Bao Loc. The crew compartment had been demolished on impact and destroyed in the post-crash fire. Bad weather delayed the recovery of the remains for four days until which time they were recovered and positively identified. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Flying General, 6 on Missing Huey.” Pacific Stars & Stripes, July 11, 1970]

Dear 1LT William Frederick Michel, 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, Sir

Curt Carter