THE WALL OF FACES

Say not in grief he is no more, but live in thankfulness that he was.

Dear Sp5 Duane Richard, Thank you for your service as a Huey UH-1 Helicopter Repairer. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. The fall of Afghanistan reminds me of Saigon. It is very sad. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On February 10, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D (tail number 66-16664) from the 335th Transportation Company was conducting a courier run to Da Nang from Chu Lai, RVN, when a tail rotor malfunction caused the aircraft to crash, killing twelve U.S. personnel. Aircraft commander CW2 Bobby C. Frost and pilot MAJ Ronald R. Baker departed the Ky Ha Helipad at Chu Lai at about 8:15 AM. The aircraft commander or pilot flew the helicopter to a point one mile south of Da Nang main airfield, just east of Highway 1. The aircraft was low level through this area due to a high density of aircraft, flying at an approximate altitude of 100-300 feet and an airspeed close to 80 knots. The helicopter then experienced a tail rotor malfunction causing the aircraft to slow. Its nose began to tuck under as the helicopter started spinning to the right. The aircraft next assumed an extreme nose-high attitude at which time the main rotor hub and blades separated, severing the tail boom section. The fuselage rolled left and turned upside down, impacting the ground in an inverted position. Fire broke out immediately due to ruptured fuel lines or cells. Vietnamese civilians attempted to extinguish the fire with pails of water, but to no avail. Several military personnel arrived at the crash site within minutes. They immediately took control of security and extinguished the fire with hand-held fire extinguishers, and assisted in removing personnel from the aircraft. Four crew members and eight passengers were killed in the crash. The lost crewmen included pilots CW2 Frost and MAJ Baker, crew chief SP5 Raymond G. Miles, and gunner SP5 Duane L. Richard. The passengers included five sailors, a Marine, and two soldiers. The lost seamen were LCR George R. Matthews, SK3 David F. Schuette, SN Timothy J. Green, SN Joel R. Stepp, and LTJG Robert G. Browne; the Marine was CPT John V. Francis; and the two soldiers were SGT Ricky L. Bowden and SP4 John Maynard. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vhpa.org]

Specialist Five Duane Lawrence Richard, Served with the 335th Transportation Company, 123rd Aviation Battalion, 16th Aviation Group, Americal Division.

Dear SP5 Duane Lawrence Richard, 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