THE WALL OF FACES

On July 3, 1971, two Cobra AH-1G helicopters from A Battery, 4th Battalion, 77th Field Artillery (Aerial Rocket), 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) were involved in a night-time mid-air collision southwest of Camp Eagle, Thua Thien Province (I Corps), RVN, with the loss of both crews and aircraft. The lost crewmen included CAPT Phillip R. Bergfield and CAPT Terry J. Martell from aircraft 68-15185 and CW2 Robert S. Schettig and 1LT Gary P. Tomlinson in aircraft 67-15760. The following is a summary of the loss by Army investigators: The aircraft in question were on 2-minute alert status with an aerial rocket artillery battery. They received a contact mission at approximately 2320 hours and were immediately launched. Arriving on station at 2330 hours in trail formation, a circling orbit was set up by the lead aircraft and was observed by ground troops, who indicated the orbit got smaller and smaller. The last radio transmission monitored was that the lead aircraft, flown by CAPT Bergfield, was, "Rolling in hot." At this time the troops on the ground observed a large flash of fire and some rockets being fired. The burning aircraft fell to the ground over a ridge line 800 meters from the ground troops who also reported shortly after the flash of fire in the sky, there was another flash on the ground over the ridge line. The flash of fire in the sky was also observed by CW2 Barry Martens, 310-56-6339, of A Battery, 4/77th Artillery, 101st Airborne Division, who watched the aircraft launched and depart the Phu Bai combat base to the southwest in trail formation. CW2 Martens observed the aircraft set up their orbit over the contact area and was watching for the section to commence their firing runs. CW2 Martens then observed a large flash in the area of the aircraft and could no longer see the aircraft positions lights. He went to the battery operations center and informed the personnel on duty, who initiated a radio search with negative results. The ground commander also radioed that it was possible that the aircraft had crashed. At this time the 4th Battalion, 77th Artillery Headquarters Tactical Operations center was notified, who in turn launched a search and rescue team in a UH-1H helicopter. Upon arriving on the scene, two fires were observed approximately 200 meters apart and with close observation of the fires, it was determined that both aircraft were totally destroyed with little chance of survivors. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Dear Captain Phillip Rex Bergfield, 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

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who kleep long vigils by the silent dust, andn 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, perchance, may therein comfort you.

I was really sorry to hear about the mid-air collision. Phil and I were Flight Commanders at Hunter AAF, Savannah, GA in 1969-1970. We were teaching flight instrumentation to American flight students and then contact flight training to the South Vietnamese in the UH-1 Huey. In addition to being an excellent soldier and aviator, Phil was a good guy and well liked by all.

CPT Bergfield was serving with Battery A, 4th Battalion, 77th Artillery (Aerial Rocket), 101st Airborne Division. He was the lead pilot in a formation of two AH-1G Cobra helicopters that had established a night-time circular orbit overhead ground troops in contact. The last radio contact with the flight was his radio call that he was "Rolling in hot".
The ground troops observed rockets being fired and a large flash of light from the lead aircraft's position, then watched as a burning aircraft fell to earth beyond a ridgeline approximately 800 meters distant from them. A second flash of light was observed beyond the ridgeline.
A search and rescue team in a UH-1H Huey was launched at once. When the Huey arrived on scene the SAR team found two fires about 200 meters apart. Close observation of the fires revealed that the two AH-1G Cobras had crashed as the direct result of a mid-air collision. Four men died in the incident. CPT Bergfield’s co-pilot was CPT Terry J. Martell, a graduate of Field Artillery OCS Class 15-69.