THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Dear SFC William Saarela, Thank you for your service as a Military Policeman/Instructor. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Veterans’ Day is this week. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On August 12, 1972, a U.S. Air Force Lockheed C-130E Hercules (#62-1853) from the 50th Tactical Airlift Squadron was climbing out of Soc Trang Airfield in Ba Xuyen Province, RVN, when it crashed after being hit by hostile ground fire. The Hercules aircraft was fired on immediately after the takeoff in the pre-dawn darkness. The plane was at about 500 feet when hit by small arms, causing it to go out of control and crash in a field. Thirty of forty-four personnel on board were killed including fourteen Americans. Seven of eight U.S Air Force crew died, and twenty-three of the thirty-six passengers aboard also lost their lives, seven of them U.S. military personnel. Fourteen others were injured. The lost crew included aircraft commander MAJ Jerry D. Vance, co-pilot CAPT Timmie J. Ward, student pilots CAPT Terry Kohler and CAPT Merrill H. Masin, instrument navigator MAJ James W. Fulk, student navigator CAPT Charles P. Roberts, and flight engineer MSGT Ray E. Tannehill. The lost U.S. passengers were SFC Edward J. Brue (USA), LCDR Marshall B. Collins (USN), SP4 Allan W. Holmes (USA), RM1 Raymond R. Reese (USN), SFC William G. Saarela (USA), YN1 Ben O. Sheppard Jr. (USN), and SFC Philip H. Stevens (USA). [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, baaa-acro.com, virtualwall.org, and aviation-safety.net]

Sergeant First Class William George Saarela, Served with Advisory Team 14, Headquarters, Military Assistance Command Vietnam Advisors, Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV), United States Army Vietnam.

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor William.