THE WALL OF FACES

I knew your wife, and played with your children, walked to school with your daughter and remember the afternoon, they got the news. From that time on, I knew what I wanted to be, even though I was female. God Bless Sir, Thank you for your service and Semper Fi. I am now a Marine Veteran!

Dear Cap, Wesley Phenegar, Thank you for your service as a VMA Pilot, and for graduating from Annapolis. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. The 46th anniversary of the official end of the war is tomorrow, and it is still sad. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Information about Captain Wesley Robert Phenegar Jr., USNA Class of 1958, USMC,
from the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Virtual Memorial Hall is at this website link:

https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/WESLEY_R._PHENEGAR,_JR.,_CAPT,_USMC

Remembered on what would've been his 84th birthday - 23 October 2020.

CAPT Wesley R. Phenegar Jr. was a USMC jet pilot assigned to Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 12 (H&MS-12), Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW). On August 13, 1967, CAPT Phenegar was piloting a A-4E Skyhawk jet on a mission 25 miles north of Chu Lai, RVN. Phenegar and his wingman reached the target area when Phenegar’s Skyhawk developed engine troubles and both aircraft headed back to Chu Lai. Phenegar began an emergency approach to the airstrip when he radioed the tower that his engine quit and he would be unable to make the runway. Instead of ejecting and saving himself, Phenegar wheeled his plane out towards the coast in an attempt to ditch into the sea. As he approached the coast, Phenegar realized he didn’t have enough altitude to make it. Gliding over one of the several villages along the coastline, he guided his plane away from the village and crashed. Had Phenegar ejected at that time, the aircraft could have killed a number of Vietnamese civilians who were unaware of the danger until a few seconds before the crash. Phenehar was killed on impact. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Marine Jet Pilot Gives Life for Buddies, Viets.” Pacific Stars & Stripes, September 11, 1967]

I have only heard stories of you, my fathers cousin. I have followed in the foot steps of several other family members including yourself, and served in the Iraq War. I have visited your name in the wall and take great pride in carrying the soldier bloodline.