THE WALL OF FACES

Dear WO Donald K Mcneil, 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

Chief Warrant Officer Donald K. McNeil is remembered as the over-all most outstanding student during his high school years. He excelled as a multi-sport athlete and lead the basketball team of his big-city school to the state playoffs. But more than that, his character just shined like the sun. I never heard him use an off-color word, and he was kind and accepting of all his classmates. In junior high he was the physically strongest boy, yet he exuded humility and encouraged others. He was the finest kid I knew in all my youth. I wish I had been with him during the Vietnam War.

Morning resupply mission south of DMZ, northeast of Dong Ha. Flying between tree lines running north to south. Flew over tree line manned by NVA unit. Heavy fire shot off tailboom and aircraft crashed between the NVA position and 1 Cav position, an infantry unit receiving 152 mm artillery fire from North Vietnam across DMZ. Grunts got to crash which was on fire. Both pilots (WO1 Mark D. Young and WO1 Donald K. McNeil) were killed. Crewchief and doorgunner were rescued. WO1 Young was flying, when hit radioed 'I'm hit.' WO1 McNeil took control. Ship came apart. That night grunts set up an ambush between the two treelines near crash site. Killed 35 NVA and captured 1 NVA 2LT. WO1 Young loved Sonny & Cher albums. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Rest in peace with the warriors.

Don is buried at Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle,WA. AM PH