THE WALL OF FACES

Dear A1C Terry Rehm, Thank you for your service as a Flight Engineer Specialist. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Today is the anniversary of the start of the atomic age. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On October 8, 1967, a United States Air Force Lockheed C-130B Hercules (#61-2649) from the 773rd Tactical Airlift Squadron, 463rd Tactical Airlift Wing, 7th Air Force, crashed into a cloud-covered mountain in poor weather. The wreckage was found two days later about 150 feet below the summit of the 1850 feet high mountain. There were no survivors. Total losses were 23 personnel, including 5 crew members and 18 passengers. The Hercules aircraft had taken off from Phu Bai Airfield near Hue for the short flight to Da Nang. The weather was poor with low clouds and ground fog, and 10 minutes after taking off the aircraft flew into Dong Nhut Mountain about 15 miles to the southeast of Phu Bai. The wreckage was discovered two days later and the recovery mission was conducted by E Company, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines beginning October 10, 1967. The lost USAF crew included pilot (instructor) MAJ Robert W. Anderson, co-pilot LTC Christopher Braybrooke, navigator CAPT Scott M. Burkett, flight engineer A1C Terry M. Rehm, and loadmaster A2C Ronald P. Ruyff. The lost passengers were: (USMC) CPL William H. Arnold, SGT Francisco H. Gonzalez, PFC Bernie C. Kridler III, LCPL Dan E. Warner, and SGT Donald A. Wilkinson; (USAF) TSGT Cloyce O. Burkett Jr.;(USA) SP4 Richard G. Ferruggia, SP4 Terrance H. Larson, 1LT John S. Martin, SP4 Robert D. Nelson, SP4 Joseph P. Rowley, SP4 John D. Saville Jr., SP5 William L. Stewart Jr., and SP4 Ronald A. Vilardo; (USN) CEW3 John H. Gilliland III, CEP3 George A. Guy, BULCN Melvin E. Johnson, and HM1 Bobby D. Stevenson. Because it was not possible at the time to make individual identifications, a group burial was made at Arlington National Cemetery. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, 46thars.tripod.com, and aviation-safety.net]

Terry was my high school sweetheart, and I was the girl who lost her guy to the Vietnam War..I was actually with Terry as he was leaving from the Airport in Moon, to fly back to base, while his Mom took this last picture of him. Terry was a great guy who loved to have fun. I loved it when he would pick me up to go riding in his parents Ford with a convertible hardtop, and then catch a drive-in movie or talk n eat at the National Restaurant in Cory. He was a sweetheart! I could go on and on, as those good memories still make me smile, after all these years!! Rest in Peace, Terry..:-)

Dear A1C Terry Michael Rehm, 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

He loved us so.

Every day, in a hundred ways, he told us so.

In honesty, in affection, he told us so.

He loved us so.

Every day, in a hundred ways, he showed us so.

With loyalty and bravery, he showed us so.

He was our defender, and he kept us free!

He took an oath to guard us, and fought for liberty!

He loved us so, and we should know.

For we loved him so.

Airman Rehm, you had given all to defend liberty everywhere! You had been there and done that! You flew and fought for the right without question or pause! I know that facig death every day is never easy for any airman or soldier, even veterans with a lot of hashmarks down their left sleeve. I strongly and honestly believe that Avonmore's own Jill Corey, whom I admire as one of my three top favorite songbirds of all time, the other two being Julie Andrews, England's musical grande dame, and Dusty Springfield, another thrush from England who passed on some years ago, would be very proud of your service to America, and the sacrifices you made to keep us free! Well done, Airman! Be thou at peace. AIM HIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!