THE WALL OF FACES

May 28… Hi big brudder, Frankie. Every year your birthday roles around like clockwork. This year it’s just one day before Memorial Day. You’d be 87 today. Sounds old, but you were still young when you left this earth for greener pastures about 55 years ago. A lot has happened during the past two years since I last wrote you.
This past October, my wife Ann Pendleton Tilley and I flew to San Juan Island, Washington, to visit your crew chief, Michael Vouri. We had an amazing time together learning about your life in Vietnam. You had an incredible impact on this young man, and his life story would not have been complete without you. But just as importantly, your life story was incomplete before he came into my life. We learned of your mentorship in his professional, personal and spiritual life. He also told us of how you pranked him by radioing back in (so all could hear) how he needed to read up on the electrical system of the aircraft. There were certainly some times of levity despite the extremely difficult living conditions.
What I finally learned through Mike, which he documented through the years, was your last days, your last flight, the rescue mission, and how they recovered your remains. Mike devoted an entire chapter to it in an unpublished book he wrote about his experiences in country. I cannot do it justice but suffice it to say, I found out your aircraft was hit by ground fire and you were most likely severely wounded causing you to lose control of the aircraft. There was a violent crash but you and your back seat observer, South Vietnamese Lt Te, survived the crash. You were both taken captive and marched several kilometers to the river where sampan boats were to transport you to a prison camp. This is where your body was recovered after an extensive 2 day search and rescue mission. Lt Te remained a captive but escaped a couple weeks later and made his way back to the base where he told the rest of the story. He let people know that you refused to get on the boat and through your determined decision to not give in and capitulate to the enemy you gave up your life to them. I know you and I had discussions before you left and that you and your wife, Shirley, also mutually agreed that above all else you did not want to be captured in Vietnam. I salute and respect your commitment, courage and devotion to duty. Your loved ones have deeply missed you but I have no doubt you’re in a better place now. I plan someday to see you again in heaven. RIP

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your brother Paul is especially poignant. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever....

Today’s your birthday, my brother Frankie. You’d have been 85 today but you never saw 35. I thought it fitting to start Memorial Day weekend commemorating not only your too-short life but also your selfless service to our country. You had the choice to resign your commission and stay home, but you said if you didn’t go, someone else would have to take your place. That takes courage and you had that then and every time you flew. You were born to fly. I remember the plastic airplane models you built and hung from the bedroom ceiling. Your first car, a canary yellow Lincoln Capri convertible that exemplified your need for speed. During my career I met one major who had known you. He told me you were the best instrument pilot he’d ever flown with. Not surprising. Our careers were somewhat parallel. You flew the B-47, I flew the B-52. You flew cargo C-130s, I flew C-119s. You flew the O-1 (a modified Cessna 170,) I flew the T-41 (a modified Cessna 172.) Coincidence? I don’t think so. But your career was cut short on that last fateful mission. The Silver Star, 17 Air Medals, Purple Heart and Air Force Commendation Medal you received are here in my home, safely held for posterity. Your wife, Shirley, lived a full life and this past year she went home to join you with her ashes interred beside you in Arlington National Cemetary. Thank you, sir. I salute you for your service. But most importantly thank you for being the big brother to your brother Bob, your sister, Clara Jo, and me. We miss you. Rest In Peace.

CPT Francis Birchak, You are remembered. Pilot of O-1G 51-16951 on that ill-fated mission.

Captain Francis Joseph Birchak, Served with the 22nd Tactical Air Support Squadron, 504th Tactical Air Support Group, 7th Air Force.