THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Dear LTC William Phillips, Thank you for your service as a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander - Helicopter Pilot. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Yesterday was Mother’s Day. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On February 3, 1967, MAJ Paul R. Karas, the XO, and MAJ William Phillips, the Operations Officer, were killed while on a lift south of Saigon in the area know as the “Testicles.” They were lead ship (66-00908) on a joint U.S./ARVN lift. The U.S. and ARVN troops were to land in different LZ’s. Enroute to the first LZ the U.S. commander switched the LZ’s and the U.S. troops were landed in the ARVN LZ, right in the middle of a huge rice paddy with no trees for at least a mile on each side. The ARVNs, on the other hand, were to land in the apex of a V-shaped area with a river and trees on each side. On short final of a 10-ship staggered trail formation, the ARVN commander changed plans and shouted for MAJ Karas to land short. He quickly informed the flight of the change and the ships landed along a dike line with the lead ship in roughly the spot where the trail ship would have been. As the troops unloaded, a massive explosion lifted the lead ship up about 10 feet and rolled it over on its left side where it beat itself to death, ending bottom up at a 45 degree angle. The pilot, MAJ Phillips, was killed instantly and MAJ Karas was mortally wounded while the flight surgeon going along as gunner (CAPT Frank Anzalone) incurred shrapnel wounds in his chest and legs. The crew chief was also wounded seriously. The rest of the flight was taking heavy fire and pulled pitch. It was several hours before a rescue ship could land. MAJ Karas was still alive and strapped into his seat upside down but his wounds were severe. He died on the medivac ship. It was later learned that there were mines all along the dike leading to the apex. Since the ARVN commander told MAJ Karas to land short, it appears that he may well have known about the planned ambush of U.S. troops. [Taken from vhpadata.org]

Dear LTC William Russel Phillips, 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

MAJ Paul R. Karas was XO (Vulture 5) and Major (LTC) William R. Phillips was Operations Officer of the 162nd AHC. They were in the lead ship of a 10 ship ARVN CA south of Saigon. Their ship was destroyed by a command detonated mine as it touched down in the LZ. The flight surgeon, flying as gunner, was wounded. [Taken from vhpa.org]