THE WALL OF FACES

My father died when I was five. Bill became my “Big Brother” when I was in fourth grade. Bill would come pick me up from school in his maroon GTO. When he was in Vietnam he would write me letters. He would take me to ball games, haircuts etc. He was one of the only male figures in my life that I looked up too. I remember one Christmas he gave me a model kit of the Huey Copter that he flew. Bill was in ROTC at TCU and he would let me spend the night in his dorm. One night we shot “BB” guns at targets in the dorm with the other guys. I also remember going to his wedding in Fort Worth. I also remember when he died and going back to the same Catholic Church for his funeral. His wife gave me a small Cub Scout box that he scratched his name on. She said Bill would want me to have it. I keep my cuff links in it. I still think about Bill. His memory lives in me.

CW2 William Pishner Jr. was a U.S. Army helicopter pilot serving with the 128th Assault Helicopter Company. On March 10, 1970, CW2 Pishner died in the officer’s club at his unit’s air base in Binh Duong Province, RVN. The Army listed his death as a result of a heart attack. However, he had flown in a mission earlier that day where he suffered a chest injury which is believed to have contributed to his death. The following is a personal account of that mission and his death by Jeff Clater (edited for clarity): On the day he died, Bill Pishner provided gun cover for my 10-ship airlift (I was lead co-pilot with Gregory Keith as aircraft commander). We overflew an NVA regiment which proceeded to lace our formation (with gunfire). Bill's heavy team expended in one pass and quieted them down long enough for us to insert our blocking force. Bill's ship took some hits to the engine and he landed hard in a wooded area. His inertia reel (shoulder harness) failed to lock, and his chest slammed down onto the cyclic control. Greg landed our ship, and Bill, along with CPT Jacobsen and their door gunners jumped onto our Huey (UH-1 helicopter). We dropped them at the refueling port and continued to insert troops. That night, Bill was released from the hospital with a "bruised sternum." He came to the officer's mess and ordered a steak. He then ordered a round of drinks for Greg and me. As he ate his steak, he collapsed. We performed CPR, but could not get a heartbeat. Blood was flowing out of his mouth and nose with every chest compression. Since I was there and performed the chest compressions until the Flight Surgeon arrived, I can testify to two things which are inaccurate about the KIA writeup: 1. Bill didn't drink. 2. He died of an aneurism, not a heart attack. This doesn't change anything. Bill is still KIA and I lost a good friend. Maybe the next of kin will be comforted to know that he was a great aviator and good man. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org; narrative by Jeff Clater from vhpa.org]

Dear CWO William Pishner Jr, 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

William is buried at Bluebonnett Hills Memorial Park, Colleyville, Tarrant County, TX. DFC BSM AM-4OLC

My high school classmate, Tracy High, class of 1966, I honor you for her heroism then and now. We remember you still.
Velda
Tracy High class of 1966