THE WALL OF FACES

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Dear WO Albert Owns, Thank you for your service as an Utility & Light Cargo Single Rotor Helicopter Pilot. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Lent has begun, and it is the end of winter. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear WO Albert Danny Owens, 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

At approximately 0330, June 8, 1969, members of the 3rd Batallion, 47th Infantry, working under the 2nd Brigade, reported that they had run into enemy contact and had requested an OH-6A aircraft. The aircraft, which was stationed on the USS Whitfield County, a Naval LST, had been requested and approved by COL Rainville, commanding officer of the 2nd Brigade. CAPT Carroll, the Brigade Aviation officer, stationed on the LST, was then notified of the scramble and decided WO1 Albert D. Owens would fly the mission. WO1 Owens was then awakened by SP4 Tippett, and told that he was to fly this particular mission. CAPT Carroll went down to the deck to make sure WO1 Owens was fully awakened and able to fly the mission. CAPT Carroll immediately notified the bridge of the scramble and proceeded to get the flight crew to their stations. A few minutes later WO1 Owens came out on the flight deck and started up the aircraft. At this time the ship's guns started firing their .50 caliber machine guns at an enemy complex on the shoreline. CAPT Carroll next proceeded to get a cease fire by calling the bridge and notifying them of the departing aircraft. After the cease fire was in effect, CAPT Carroll gave WO1 Owens the "thumbs up" and called that he could depart. WO1 Owens lifted the aircraft to a hover, made a left pedal turn, and lifted off to an altitude of about 50 feet heading north. After he was about 20 yards from the LST, he made a right turn and headed east. It appeared as if he was going to circle around the ship to gain airspeed. During this time the aircraft gradually began to lose altitude to a point where the aircraft was not more than 20 feet above the water. As he started to level off and head into the wind, the skids of the aircraft skimmed the water. Seconds later the ship tilted forward, crashed into the river and sank rapidly. The wind was at a heading of 240 degrees at 5 knots at the time of the accident. Immediately after the mishap, CAPT Carroll and SP4 Tippett got in another aircraft and proceeded to search for the missing OH-6A. The search continued that night with the help of other aircraft from A & B, 9th Aviation Batallion. There were negative results of both the aircraft and WO1 Owens. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Albert is buried at Mt Shasta Memorial Park, Mt Shasta,CA. BSM AM-10OLC