THE WALL OF FACES

Hi Bob,

I've had your POW/MIA bracelet now for quite some time. I continue to keep in touch with your mother from time to time. Even though you and I haven't personally met, I feel like I know you. Your mother did a nice job telling folks about you and the rest of your family. I continue to celebrate your name and contribution each time I visit the Vietnam Wall. I can't help but think of all the wonderful things in life that you missed out on because of that war. Please rest in peace and know that you haven't been forgotten nor has your sacrifice been in vain. Many thanks, my friend.

I have not forgotten you. I chair the Adoption Committee for The National League of Families of Prisoners of War and Missing in Action in Southeast Asia. We will always remember the 1,889 Americans still unaccounted for in Southeast Asia and the thousands of others that lost their lives. We will not stop our efforts until all of you are home where you belong.

We need to reach the next generation so that they will carry on when our generation is no longer able. To do so, we are attempting to locate photographs of all the missing. If you are reading this remembrance and have a photo and/or memory of this missing American that you would like to share for our project, please contact me at:

Candace Lokey
PO Box 206
Freeport, PA 16229
[email protected]

If you are not familiar with our organization, please visit our web site at :

www.pow-miafamilies.org

Inspired by 9/11, my wife and I requested POW/MIA bracelets. I wear 1Lt. Robert D. Beutel's name on my right wrist every day. You and those who knew you and loved you are in my prayers. The passage of time does not diminish your sacrifices. Hope is alive. Faith endures.

CAPTAIN


JAMES EUGENE STEADMAN


and


CAPTAIN


ROBERT DONALD BEUTEL


were PILOT and OBSERVOR


on an F4D PHANTOM

assigned to the

497th TACTICAL FIGHTER SQUADRON

UBON AIR BASE, THAILAND


ON 26 NOVEMBER 1971

THESE TWO FLYERS WERE ON A MISSION

OUT OF THAILAND AND OVER LAOS


JUST INSIDE LAOS THEIR AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED


IT WAS NEVER DETERMINED IF IT WAS HIT

BY ENEMY FIRE OR HAD SUSTAINED

MECHANICAL TROUBLE --- IT JUST VANISHED


NO REMAINS OR WRECKAGE OF

THE F4D PHANTOM WERE EVER FOUND


BOTH PILOTS ARE STILL

CONSIDERED TO BE AS


--- MISSING IN ACTION ---





--- PER ARDUA AD ASTRA ---





YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE





"...who shall speak for the unseen dead..."