THE WALL OF FACES

On the night of 13 Jan 1966 a C-123B transport (tail number 55-4519) of the 310th Air Commando Squadron was providing flareship support for a flight of A-1E Skyraiders from the 1st ACS. The Skyraiders in turn were attacking VC positions near An Khe.
As one of the Skyraiders pulled off target after delivering ordnance it collided with the circling flareship. Both aircraft crashed; there were no survivors. The dead were
• Aboard C-123B 55-4519
o Capt Herman H. Ritchie, Okmulgee, OK, 310th ACS, pilot
o Capt Warren L. Anderson, San Jose, CA, 310th ACS, copilot
o SSgt Byron H. Crotwell, Jackson, MS, 310th ACS
o TSgt Thomas A. Fodaro, Syracuse, NY, 6253rd Cbt Spt Grp
o SSgt Edward J. Hincewicz, Scranton, PA, 310th ACS
o TSgt Irwin L. Hoffman, Elmhurst, NY, 310th ACS

• Aboard A-1E 52-133989
o Capt Robert N. Middlebrooks, Ariton, AL, 1st ACS
The 310th served in Vietnam for 6 years, undergoing several name changes. Activated as the 310th Troop Carrier Squadron, Assault, on 24 May 1963, it became the 310th Air Commando Squadron, Troop Carrier, on 8 Mar 1965; the 310th Air Commando Squadron, Tactical Airlift, on 1 Aug 1967; the 310th Special Operations Squadron on 1 Aug 1968; and the 310th Tactical Airlift Squadron on 1 Jan 1970. The squadron was inactivated on 15 Nov 1972.

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchanxce, may therein comfort you.

It is said a man hasn't died as long as he is remembered. This prayer is a way for families, friends and fellow veterans to remember our fallen brothers and sisters. 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 hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die

I was stationed with the 310th Air Commando Squadron from 7/1965 thru 7/1966 at Nha Trang Air Base. Capt. Middlebrooks was one of our crewmembers who went down on 1/13/1966. He was a man who cared about his fellow men. May he rest in peace.