THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Captain Edward Miskowski, Thank you for your service as a Navigator. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Happy Halloween. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On July 27 1969, a U.S. Air Force Boeing B-52D Stratofortress strategic bomber (#56-0630) from the 17th Bomb Wing, 4133rd Bomb Wing, Strategic Air Command, crashed into the Pacific Ocean following the failure of the starboard wing after takeoff from Anderson Air Force Base in Guam. All eight personnel aboard were killed. The lost crewmen included aircraft commander MAJ Edward W. Wyatt, co-pilot CAPT John A. Albasio, radar navigator CAPT Donald J. Maccio, navigator CAPT Edward A. Miskowski, electronic warfare officer (EWO) 1LT Gary P. Leach, and gunner TSGT Clinton E. Tibbetts. The two other U. S. Air Force personnel reportedly on board the aircraft were LTC Robert H. Barr and TSGT Richard Piskula. The wing loss occurred about the time the nose wheel left the ground during takeoff. Eyewitness accounts reported that the plane continued momentarily in level flight, then made a violent bank below the sight of the cliff at the end of the runway, crashing into the ocean. Aircraft commander CAPT Wyatt attempted to eject, and his chute was found either fully or partially deployed. His remains were recovered. The remains of the four other crewmen and one passenger were also recovered. However, neither Leach’s nor Barr’s bodies were found. Tibbetts was posthumously promoted to Master Sergeant. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, aviation-safety.net, and web.archive.org]

Captain Edward Anthony Miskowski, Served with the 393rd Bomb Squadron, 4133rd Bomb Wing Provisional, Strategic Air Command.

Dear Captain Edward Anthony Miskowski, 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

I wish I had the opportunity to know you growing up. I think of the grandfather I never had the chance to meet every Veteran's Day.