THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Sp4 Wilton Pickett, Thank you for your service as a Heavy Vehicle Driver. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is the 46th anniversary of the last battle of the war, and the Ascension. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On January 9, 1968, the Connell Quarry, located three miles east of Pleiku City in Pleiku Province, RVN, which provided roadway material for the 815th Engineer Battalion, received enemy mortar and small arms fire between 1:28 AM to 2:15 AM. The perimeter was penetrated in some pIaces with the enemy employing satchel charges. One engineer, heavy vehicle driver SP5 Wilton R. Pickett, was killed in the attack. Two other Americans were wounded. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and redwarriors.us]

He died in a Helicopter, he always loved to fly. Now he's doing it with hie mom and dad in heaven

Dear SP4 Wilton Ray Pickett, 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

Wilton Ray Pickett
Wilton Ray Pickett, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray
S. Pickett, was born in Los Angeles, California, on July 23,
1941. Wilton grew up in Southern California, attended
LA County schools and graduated from Anaheim Union
High School in 1959. In 1964 the Pickett family, which also
consisted of daughters Judy and Betty Jean, moved to Santa
Cruz County where Wilton and his father worked in the
heating and sheet metal business. He also found employment
in the crop dusting industry. His constant movement
from one job to another delayed his being draft ed.
In February 1966 Wilton Pickett was inducted into the
US Army. Following basic and advanced training, he was
assigned to Company B, 815th Engineer Battalion of the
935th Group at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. On March 23, 1967,
Pickett and his unit flew to California and upon arrival
boarded the troopship USNS General Walker for Vietnam.
Upon arrival in Vietnam April 15, 1967, Pickett was
transported to his base at Engineer Hill near the central
highland town of Pleiku. In Vietnam he drove a dump truck
for the construction of bases, structures, roads, airfields,
facilities, bridges and other building projects.
On January 9, 1968, at a location identified as Connell
Quarry, Specialist Fourth Class Wilton Ray Pickett was
killed by small arms gunfire while moving towards a bunker
following an explosion. His remains were returned home
and following a funeral service on January 22, 1968, were
interred in Oakwood Memorial Park in Santa Cruz.
Source
Remembering our Own
The Santa Cruz County Military Roll of Honor 1861-2010
By Robert L Nelson
The Museum of Art & History @ The McPherson Center
2010
Page 216