THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Dear Sgt Frank Ryan, Thank you for your service with the 432nd Combat Support Group. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Veterans’ Day is soon. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Established 8 Jan 1972, AFTN Memorial VFW Post 10249 in Udon thailand, is named in memory of the nine airmen killed on duty when a battle damaged RF-4C Phantom aircraft crashed into the Armed Forces Thailand Network (AFTN) Udorn Radio-TV Station on 10 Apr 1970. www.udonvfw10249.org

An early afternoon reconnaissance mission was scheduled to check out a line of communication in northwestern Laos on April 10, 1970. While maintenance crews prepared their RF-4C Phantom (65863), pilot MAJ John L. Leaphart and navigator CAPT Joseph C. Bernholtz attended the intelligence and weather briefing at 0930 and the mission meeting at 0955. Take-off was scheduled for 1255. To gain additional information, MAJ Leaphart spent time conferring with other crews who had flown into the target area earlier. At 1302 they were airborne and soon pointed toward their target across the Mekong. Leaphart and Bernholtz easily pinpointed their target while zipping along at 480 to 540 knots at 4500 feet with at least five miles visibility. Neither observed any ground fire while on the target run, as they continued on a climb-out to the southeast to head back to Udorn. Suddenly at approximately 1330, a master caution light illuminated indicating the PC-2 hydraulic system had failed. CAPT Bernholtz observed a three to six-inch hole in the right wing in front of the spoiler. Ethan Control was contacted and an emergency was declared. Bullwhip 17 was vectored by Ethan Control to catch up to Falcon 34 to help assess the damage and check for controllability of their Phantom. Bullwhip joined Falcon 34 about 20 miles east of Udorn. Despite the discovery that the Utility Hydraulic System also failed, they determined that Falcon 34 was controllable and would attempt to lower the landing gear and arresting hook. Bullwhip confirmed that the gear and hook were down and prepared for a no flap landing and barrier engagement on runway 30. MAJ Leaphart was able to position the Phantom on final approach at 185 knots as ground observers less than a mile from touchdown, described the approach as straight and controlled. Suddenly, with less than one half mile to Udorn, Falcon 34 rolled to the right. MAJ Leaphart fought to counter the roll with full left stick and rudder. The controls had no effect on the aircraft and it continued to roll and drift to the right. Falcon 34 attempted a go-around but the right roll was unstoppable and continued at more than 175 knots. As the F-4 reached 45 to 60 degrees of bank and a nose high attitude, controls had no effect on the flight. The crew bailed out. MAJ Leaphart landed on a building and subsequently fell from it fracturing a bone in his right foot. CAPT Bernholtz also landed on a building, suffering a cut over his right eye. The crippled Phantom crashed into the housing area on base, turning the entire area into a blazing inferno. Nine USAF men perished in the crash. Most died as the pilotless Phantom plowed into the base radio and television studio. They included TSGT Jack A. Hawley, SSGT James T. Howard, A1C Andrew C. McCartney, SSGT Alfred N. Potter, SGT John C. Rose, SGT Frank D. Ryan Jr., SSGT Edward W. Strain, TSGT Roy Walker, and A1C Thomas L. Waterman. Flames destroyed nine buildings and one trailer. Property loss was estimated at $147,000. Following the crash, COL David S. Mellish, 432th TRW, compiled vital information in a 48 Hour Mishap Report which was transmitted to 13th Air Force at Clark AB in the Philippines. MAJ Leaphart had flown for 13 years, 3465 hours of which 1361 were in RF-4C. Capt. Bernholtz had flown for nearly 10 years, 2659 hours with 372 in RF-4C aircraft. The crew was medically qualified to fly the mission and had adequate food and rest 48-hours prior to the accident. Nothing was found which could impair their ability to perform the mission. A maintenance analysis of aircraft forms indicated there were no contributing factors due to maintenance performed or possible systems failure due to past history. Commander Mellish reported that Falcon 34 was hit by an unknown number of rounds of hostile AAA fire which caused the loss. [Taken from thai-aviation.net]

Frank Ryan (known to family as "Corky") was my father. I didn't know him well as I was very little when he was killed in a fiery plane crash on a support base for the Vietnam War in Thailand. But I'm very proud of his career in the military and I try to carry on his patriotic commitment to the country for which he made the ultimate sacrifice. This coming spring I will commemorate the 45th anniversary of my father's death. I know he'd be very proud of his two incredible grandson and granddaughter--my kids--now in their early 20s and well on their way to being fully launched, successful adults.