THE WALL OF FACES

Following my Vietnam service I returned to Mississippi and soon thereafter relocated to Meridian and have lived here since 1973. You fellows from Lauderdale County probably would not recognize the places and the people you left behind – things have changed drastically since you have been gone. News of your deaths brought much heartbreak and many tears to your loved ones and friends. After all these years we still remember the price you paid for your country and our freedoms. As another Memorial Day ceremony unfolds at the county courthouse, each of your 28 names will be read. In remembrance of your sacrifice, friends and family members will come forward to place a Buddy Poppy at the base of the granite wall honoring all the county’s losses since World War I. The patriotism that you felt as you left Lauderdale County for the war in Vietnam is still alive and well in your hometowns and communities. Many of you died protecting one another, but you all served so that we could keep the things we love the most – God, country and family. By remaining true to these principles, we honor your sacrifices.

Van “Mac” McCarty
Meridian, MS
USMC Vietnam Veteran
1968-69, 1970-71

On May 12, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H (tail number 68-16342) from the 937th Engineer Group was hit by enemy fire and crashed in rough terrain in the Central Highlands, 10 miles southwest of Pleiku and 220 miles northwest of Saigon. The aircraft was brought down by an enemy .51 caliber anti-aircraft gun while COL Carroll E. Adams Jr., commander of the 937th Engineer Group, was giving an aerial tour to MGEN John A.B. Dillard, head of the United States Army Engineer Command in South Vietnam. Both MGEN Dillard and COL Adams, plus eight other Americans were killed in the incident. The lost crew included aircraft commander CW3 Glenn A. Adams, pilot COL Adams Jr. (posthumously promoted to brigadier general), pilot CAPT Raymond R. Dulak Jr., crew chief SP5 Steven R. Renner, and gunner SP4 James H. Rawson. The five lost passengers included MG Dillard, LTC Fred V. Cole, CAPT William D. Booth, 1LT Kenneth F. Rogers, and CSM Griffith A. Jones. A sixth passenger, SMAJ Robert W. Elkey, was the only survivor and was seriously injured. [Taken from vhpa.org, arlingtoncemetery.net, wikipedia.org, and coffeltdatabase.org]

Dear SP4 James Hilton Rawson, 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

I was only nine years old when you died. I wish I could remember you myself but I'll always remember your loss to the family.
Your sacrafice was ultimate and blessed.
Love.

James, Although we never met, I just want you to know you are not forgotten. You gave the ultimate sacrifice, your life for what you believed in. Sleep well and thank you.