THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. May you rest in eternal peace.

Corporal Fredrick Marlton Binder, Served with the 161st Assault Helicopter Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

DEAR CORPORAL FREDRICK BINDER,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE APPRENTICE. IT HAS BEEN FAR TOO LONG FOR ALL OF YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE. MANY OF US HAVE BEGUN OUR JOURNEY TO EASTER. YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS.

On June 27, 1966, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1B (tail number 64-14047) from the 161st Aviation Company and a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1B (tail number 65-09486) from Troop C, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) were involved in a mid-air collision over Tuy Hoa Air Base. The accident occurred when aircraft 047 took off on a northwest heading while aircraft 486 had taken off on a westerly heading then made a right turn to a northwest heading. This put the two aircraft on a collision course. The helicopters collided, crashed, and burned. There were no survivors. The lost crew from 047 included aircraft commander CAPT Donald R. Bryant, pilot CAPT Jerry W. McNabb, crew chief CPL Fredrick M. Binder, and gunner PVT Jackie L. Goforth. The lost personnel from 486 were pilots MAJ Billy J. Nave and CAPT Richard T. Perrin, gunner SP4 Frank L. Gonderman, and passenger SP5 Louis E. Walton. The regular crew chief assigned to 486, SP4 T. Wallace, stated that MAJ Nave, commander of C Troop, and passenger SP5 Walton were completing their tours of duty in Vietnam and were leaving Tuy Hoa to go to Camp Radcliff (An Khe Army Airfield) on their way home. After they took off, they returned on a low pass to wave goodbye and collided with the other helicopter. SP4 Wallace had been replaced on 486 by Walton so he could go home as Walton had four children. (From: T. Wallace) [Taken from vhpa.org]

Dear CPL Fredrick Marlton Binder, 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