THE WALL OF FACES

Dear LCDR Lee Edward Nordahl, 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 have looked for this man's face for years. I wore Lee's POW bracelet to school everyday during this war. Watched on TV the day some POW's came home. I listened so closely to every name they called but they never called Lee's name. It saddened me so much and effected my life in more ways than anyone will ever know. You might not think a teenage girl would have cared so much for a man she never knew or would never see, but Lee Nordahl has been a part of my life all these years. I so appreciate your service Lee to our country and with each day I have on this earth I'll never forget you because you remain in my heart.

Lee was born near Fairfield, MT on June 18, 1939. He va raised in Choteau, MT Where he

graduated from High School in 1957. He worked for his uncle on a ranch near Helena, MT through his

high school and college years. He graduated from Montana School of Mines in Butte in 1962 with a

degree in Petroleum Engineering. He then worked for Baroid Oil until May of 1963 before training in

Pensacola, FL for the Naval Air Force. His plane was shot down over North Vietnam on Dec. 20, 1965.

He was listed as MIA until information filtered out almost 3O years later that he had actually been killed.

His remains have never been recovered.

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, perchance, may therein comfort you.

Lee's sister was my elementary school teacher in Baker, Montana (I think her name was Sharon). I remember billboards asking if you had seen Lee. Most of the kids in her class ordered bracelets. You could order a random name or someone you knew. I ordered Lee's because of the same first name. I remember having a coach tell us to take off our bracelets and refusing because of the promise we had made when we purchased the bracelets. My bracelet broke in half sometime in the late-70's. But I still have it. That is what made me search and find this site. I was looking to see if I should repair the bracelet and put it back on or replace it, or if there was new information. Finding this site has brought back many memories and tears. Finding that there was a declaration, even one of death, also brings tears. I have thought of you often, as I took the bracelet out of my jewelry box, and wondered what had happened to you.