THE WALL OF FACES

Dear LT Dennis William Peterson, 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
[email protected]

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent ndust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, ,perchance, may therein comfort you.

Thank you for sharing the special memories you have of my father. I never knew him since I was born 2 weeks after he was killed. I love reading all the wonderful things people have to say about him. Thank you--I will treasure the kind words and memories!

The USS ORISKANY was a World War II-era carrier on duty in Vietnam as early as 1964. On July 18, 1967, LCDR Richard D. Hartman's aircraft fell victim to anti-aircraft fire near Phu Ly in Nam Ha Province, North Vietnam. Hartman, from VA 164, ejected safely, but could not be rescued due to the hostile threat in the area. Others in the flight were in radio contact with him and resupplied him for about three days. He was on a karst hill in a difficult recovery area. Eventually the North Vietnamese moved in a lot of troops and AAA guns, making rescue almost impossible. One of the rescue helicopters attempting to recover LCDR Hartman on the 19th was a Sikorsky SH3A helicopter from HC-2 Detachment aboard USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64) flown by Navy LT Dennis W. Peterson. The crew onboard the aircraft included ENS Donald P. Frye and AX2 William B. Jackson and AX2 Donald P. McGrane. While attempting to rescue LCDR Hartman, this aircraft was hit by enemy fire and crashed, killing all onboard. The remains of all but the pilot, Peterson, were returned by the Vietnamese on October 14, 1982. Peterson remains missing. The decision was made to leave Hartman before more men were killed trying to rescue him. It was not an easy decision, and one squadron mate said, 'To this day, I can remember his voice pleading, 'Please don't leave me.' We had to, and it was a heartbreaker.' Hartman was captured and news returned home that he was in a POW camp. However, he was not released in 1973. The Vietnamese finally returned his remains on March 5, 1974. Hartman had died in captivity from unknown causes. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Its Memorial Day 2012 Dennis.Thank you for your sacrifice. See you soon.