THE WALL OF FACES

Dear 1LT James Dean Opsahl, 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

James is buried at Britton Cemetery, Britton, Marshall County,SD.

Rest in peace with the warriors.

Semper Fi, Sir.

Recounted by Terry M. Curtis, pilot of a CH-46, first aircraft on scene: I was flying north from Hill 55 when I noticed two H-34's turning on the ground in front of us just south of Hill 10. I watched them as we flew overhead to make sure they did not take off underneath us. As soon as we cleared them to the north, I switched to DASC to report mission complete. DASC asked me if I had seen a midair that was just reported near my position. I said I had not and turned the aircraft back toward the south. I saw the two columns of smoke and headed toward the area of the mishap. Marines from the ground unit had already rushed to the area but could do nothing due to the intense heat from the burning magnesium. We only found one body. No survivors. The FAC with a ground unit, an H-34 pilot from that squadron, knew all the pilots and crew. They had stopped to say 'hi.” He stated, through tears, that as they took off Dash Two ran up underneath lead and, raising the nose, cut off the tail rotor of lead. Lead nose-dived, then pitched up before impact, shuddered and exploded. Dash two burst into flame in the air and the wreckage fell to earth. [Taken from vhpa.org]