THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Sp5 Billie Ontis, Thank you for your service as an UH-1 Helicopter Repairer. I researched you on your 73rd birthday, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Lent has begun. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On November 21, 1968, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D (tail number 66-16297) from the 119th Assault Helicopter Company was on a reconnaissance mission equipped with a personnel detection device for locating enemy soldiers. The operation required the aircraft to be flown at low levels over enemy terrain. The helicopter was flown over an area in Kontum Province (II Corps), RVN, that was known to have a large concentration of enemy forces. The detection device registered heavily many times revealing the enemy position. On its last pass, the aircraft came under intense enemy fire and crashed and burned. Four crewmen and two passengers were killed in the incident. The lost crewmen included aircraft commander WO1 Martin G. Given, pilot WO1 Robert L. Storey, crew chief SP5 Billie J. Ontis, and gunner SP5 Eddy G. Sumpter. The two passengers were SP4 Warren G. Haugen and SGT Charles F. Rein. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information contained in the citation of WO1 Given’s Distinguished Flying Cross award]

Dear SP5 Billie Joe Ontis, 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

May his sacrifice not be forgotten.

Billie is buried at Ft Logan Nat Cem.