THE WALL OF FACES

On February 14, 1968, a USAF AC-47D "Spooky" gunship (#43-49859) from the 14th Air Commando Squadron departed Phan Rang Air Base in Ninh Thuan Province, RVN, on a close air support mission. Just five miles south of Phan Rang airbase the airplane was shot down with the loss of all eight aircrew members and one Marine observer on board. The lost personnel included pilot LTC Karl M. Waldron Jr., co-pilot MAJ Edward B. Quill Jr., navigator CPT Thomas J. Margle, flight engineer SSGT Warren M. Dixon, loadmasters SSGT Robert K. Kawamura and SSGT Roger G. Lee, gunners SGT James H. Bennett and SGT Brent J. Tosh, and Marine observer CPL Russell J. Fauser Jr. from Subunit 1, 1st ANGLICO, FMFPAC, who reportedly survived the shootdown but later died at 377th USAF Dispensary at Tan Son Nhut. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and ac47-gunships.com]

DEAR SERGEANT BENNETT,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. YOU DO NOT HAVE AN MOS LISTED, WHICH ISN'T UNUSUAL FOR THE AIR FORCE NOT TO LIST IT, BUT YOU MATTERED. IT IS 2017, 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. AND HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.

Thank you Sergeant Bennett for your leadership and courage.

Dear SGT James Harvey Bennett, 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

Jame is buried at Raven Creek Cemetery in Corinth, KY.