THE WALL OF FACES

I knew Bill all through school and my sister married his older brother. Bill was due to come home in a matter of days to be in their wedding. I adored Bill, his laugh was contagious, he knew how to live life and have fun, was great at sports and I always thought in my teen years, one day I'd marry him <3 There isn't a day that goes by I don't think of him and miss him. His family is in my area as is his memorial and grave. RIP Bill, until we meet again.

I only got to know Billy Pearson during the last two days of his life. But I liked and respected him almost immediately. His helicopter crew had already made one attempt to rescue Bat 21, and I got to see the chopper afterwards. It had LOTS of bullet holes in it. So Billy well knew what was waiting for him when he made the next attempt. And even so he was as calm and as cool as could be. I didn't see any fear in his demeanor whatsoever. Mike Vogel, another PJ, has a picture he took of me and Billy sitting down, sharpening our knives, smiling real big, like we didn't have a care in the world. But a couple of hours later Billy gave his life so that another could live. I wish I could have met him earlier. And I wish I could have had him for a friend these last 42 years. He was a GOOD man.

Dear SGT William Roy Pearson, 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

Jolly Green 67 (tail number 68-10365) was an HH-53 long range rescue helicopter assigned to the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (ARRS) at Da Nang Airbase, South Vietnam. Crewman included SGT James H. Alley, TSG Allen J. Avery, CPT Peter H. Chapman, CPT John H. Call, SGT William R. Pearson, and TSG Roy D. Prater (all KIABNR). It was downed by enemy ground fire on 6 April, 1972, while attempting to rescue two American airmen who had been shot down and were hiding behind enemy lines. This was one of the key events in what would become the largest rescue operation of that war, the rescue of Bat 21. Bat 21 was an EB-66 electronic jamming and reconnaissance aircraft. On 2 April, it was hit and destroyed by a North Vietnamese surface to air missile as it and another EB-66, Bat 22, escorted three B-52s as they bombed advancing North Vietnamese units invading South Vietnam at the beginning of what has come to be known as the 'Easter Offensive.' Only one crewmember, Lt Col Iceal 'Gene' Hambleton was able to eject from his stricken aircraft. His personal call sign for the rescue operation was Bat 21 Bravo. Immediately, US Army helicopters tried to rescue Lt Col Hambleton. But the North Vietnamese guns drove them off and downed one - a UH1 'Huey,' call sign Blueghost 39. Three of its crewmembers were killed and one was captured. The captured soldier was released by the North Vietnamesea year later. The bodies of the other three were eventually recovered and buried in Arlington National cemetery in April, 1994. The next day, Jolly Greens from the 37th ARRS made two attempts to pick up Bat 21 Bravo. Both times, they were driven off with heavy damage to their aircraft. Additionally, an OV-10, call sign Nail 38, was hit and downed by an enemy missile. Its pilot Capt Bill Henderson, was captured. Its navigator, 1Lt Mark Clark, call sign Nail 38 Bravo, was able to hide and await rescue like Lt Col Hambleton. For two more days, rescue forces fought the weather and the enemy forces to try to rescue the two airmen. They could not get in. Instead, hundreds of airstrikes were put in to beat down the enemy gunners. But the 6th of April, dawned bright and clear. So, after 42 more airstrikes were put in, a rescue force of four HH-53s and six escorting A-1 'Sandy' aircraft launched to make another attempt to recover the two evading Americans. They were assisted by several forward air controllers in O-2s and OV-10s and numerous other support aircraft. Jolly Green 67 was designated to make the rescue attempt. But as it came to a hover over Bat 21 Bravo, it was raked by heavy enemy fire. The escorting 'Sandy' A-1s tried to engage the enemy guns. But they could not get them all. And they could see what the ground fire was doing to the helicopter. So several shouted for the crew to fly out of the area. The crew of Jolly Green 67 aborted the rescue attempt and tried to maneuver their stricken aircraft to safety. But the enemy fire continued and so damaged the craft that it crashed in a huge fireball a few kilometers south of the survivors. The fire was intense and lasted several days. There were never any indications of survivors. The Sandy pilots were shocked by the turn of events. The other helicopters were ready to move into the area and make another attempt. But Sandy 01, the leader of the taskforce was not willing to risk another aircraft. He aborted the mission. It was just too dangerous. The next day, another OV-10 supporting the rescue, call sign Covey 282, was shot down in the same area. The pilot, 1Lt Bruce Walker, call sign Covey 282 Alpha, was on the ground and evading like the two earlier airmen. His crewman, US Marine 1Lt Larry Potts, was never heard from. With this news, General Abrams, the overall US commander in Saigon directed that there would be no more helicopter rescue efforts for the now three downed flyers. Instead, a ground team was formed to attempt to infiltrate through enemy lines and pick them up. It was planned and directed by US Marine Lt Col Andy Anderson, and lead by US Navy SEAL LT Tom Norris. From 10 through 12 April, the team operated through enemy lines and rescued 1Lt Clark and Lt Col Hambleton. They also intended to rescue 1Lt Walker. But on the 18th, he was discovered by Viet Cong troops and killed. The rescues were over. Later, Lt Tom Norris would get the Medal of Honor for the mission. This was the largest sustained rescue operation of the war. Over 800 airstrikes, to include B-52s, were put in in direct support. Numerous helicopters, A-1s and forward air controller aircraft were shot down or damaged. A total of eleven men were killed. But it was all done in the best traditions of the rescue forces. Their motto was: ' That Others May Live.' During the war, they rescued 3,883 downed American or allied airmen, sailors, marines and soldiers and made it possible for them to return home. And finally, we welcome you home, Jolly

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THESE HEROIC UNITED STATES AIR FORCE SERVICEMEMBERS WHOSE NAMES SHALL LIVE FOREVER MORE

MISSING IN ACTION USAF AIRMAN

FINALLY RETURNS HOME TO HIS FAMILY

The Associated Press - 1 November 1997

By J.M. HIRSCH

WEBSTER, New Hampshire

Heavy rain mixed with tears Saturday when 200 people turned out for the homecoming funeral of a soldier Missing in Action
for 25 years.

Glossy blue ribbons were pinned to the chests of the female members of the family of Air Force Sergeant WILLIAM ROY PEARSON.

He bought the material to make a shirt but he never got the chance.

Pearson's helicopter was shot down in Vietnam in 1972.

A joint U.S. / Vietnamese team investigated the site of the crash in 1989, 1992 and 1994.

Remains of six men were found during the last two searches, but it took several years to identify them.

NANCY WHITE, Pearson's sister, said she hopes her brother's return to his hometown encourages the families of other missing soldiers.

"The timing was right because Billy got a reception that he never would have got before," she said. "The country is ready to acknowledge what these (soldiers) have done."

Pearson volunteered in 1970 to serve in Vietnam as one of the elite Maroon Beret pararescue troopers - soldiers sent to retrieve the wounded in battle.

On 6 April 1972, the 20-year-old Pearson replaced an exhausted airman aboard a H-53C Super Jolly helicopter and joined a search for an airman who had gone down in Quang Tri in South Vietnam.

Their helicopter came under heavy fire, eventually crashing and burning.

Sergeant DANIEL MANION, 48, trained and served with Pearson.

He said he wasn't surprised when he heard his friend died trying to save another soldier.

"Billy Pearson didn't just decide that he was going to be a hero that day," Manion said. "It was the result of a strong family heritage and a loving home where he developed into a young man with a courageous spirit."

The airman Pearson was trying to rescue, Lieutenant Colonel ICEAL HAMBLETON, was later found to be alive.

The mission was recounted in the 1988 movie "BAT 21," starring GENE HACKMAN and DANNY GLOVER.

Pearson, who served in the 37th AIR RESCUE SQUADRON, is credited with helping rescue 116 servicemen.

He earned the SILVER STAR, two awards of the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS and the PURPLE HEART.

Following the funeral service, family and friends gathered at the town hall where memorabilia of Pearson's childhood and military service were displayed.

"For us, he's always been a hero," White said. "I don't think I realized how much of an American hero he is. He belongs to America. Most especially, he belongs to the Vietnam veterans."


**************************************************


DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PRESS RELEASE

1 October 1997

The remains of six American servicemen previously unaccounted for from Southeast Asia have been identified and were returned to their families for burial in the United States.

They are identified as

Captain
PETER HAYDEN CHAPMAN II
Centerburg, Ohio

1st Lieutenant
JOHN HENRY CALL III
Potomac, Maryland

Sergeant
JAMES HAROLD ALLEY
Plantation, Florida

Technical Sergeant
ALLEN JONES AVERY
Auburn, Massachusetts

Technical Sergeant
ROY DEWITT PRATER
Tiffin, Ohio

and

Sergeant
WILLIAM ROY PEARSON
Webster, New Hampshire

all United States Air Force personnel.

On 6 April 1972, CHAPMAN, CALL, ALLEY, AVERY, PRATER, and PEARSON were flying in an H-53C SUPER JOLLY helicopter on a search and rescue mission over Quang Tri, South Vietnam.

While trying to evade enemy ground fire, Chapman, the pilot, flew the helicopter to an altitude of 200 feet.

Subsequently, the helicopter crashed into the ground and burst into flames.

Other aircraft in the area did not see anyone exit the aircraft prior to impact.

In 1989, 1992, and 1994, joint United States / Vietnamese teams investigated and excavated a crash site in Quang Tri Province.

During the 1992 investigation of this loss incident, a local villager reported finding remains and burying them in his garden.

The U.S. investigators excavated the garden and recovered possible humans remains.

Later, in 1994, a joint team found numerous bone fragments, personal effects, and aircraft wreckage.

The remains were repatriated to the United States.

The remains of Chapman, Call, and Pearson were identified individually, and along with Alley, Avery and Prater, are part of a group remains identification.

Mitochondrial DNA testing was used to confirm the identifications.





YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE