THE WALL OF FACES

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

Dear Sp5 Rene Santos, Thank you for your service as a Flight Qualified UH-1 Helicopter Repairer. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Advent. Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Specialist Five Rene Anthony Santos, Served with the 61st Assault Helicopter Company, 268th Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

I still look at my door, at times, and expect that you should walk in. Jesus has brought me much Peace and Love with every thought of you. You are forever young in my mind. I loved, when the missions were over, when we would sit near our chopper out on the flight line; talking about all kinds of things from growing up, high school, and our families. We shared so much for all the very short time we shared.

You are still in my heart. The love I have for you is not easily surpassed. Keep a seat for me so when I come to Our Home In Heaven, we'll go for a ride!

Love you my very good friend. Our time together will always be in my heart and your picture in my top desk drawer

Rene was on the top Crew Chiefs in the Star Blazers platoon. He was an excellent mechanic and door gunner. He loved the LRRP rations and the pecan rolls and pound cake from the C rations. We traded what we liked best, spending many nights on the Crap Table, LZ English, Bong Son, Vietnam

Best friend,
Gordon Wax

A UH-1C helicopter (serial number 66-15130) was scheduled as an alert aircraft for the night of March 21, 1969. The aircraft had been located at the Craptable (helipad) and readied for the mission. At approximately 1900 hours a scramble was called. Helicopter 130 was the second of two aircraft that made up a Light Fire team. The mission was to support elements of the 173rd Airborne Brigade that had come in contact with enemy elements. After starting the aircraft and preparing the aircraft for take-off, the lead ship called 130 and asked if they were up. The crew replied by radio transmission that there would be a delay as the transmission oil pressure was reading zero and they could not get the light off, and that they were going to have to get it checked. No maintenance personnel were called to the aircraft or notified of the conditions. Approximately two minutes later 130 hovered into take-off position. After calling the tower for instructions, the lead ship departed. The second aircraft, 130, departed behind the lead ship. After take-off, 130 flew for approximately 30 seconds before crashing. Witnesses stated that they heard what seemed to be an engine over-rev, and then a whooshing sound as the main rotor blade and mast separated from the aircraft. Some witnesses stated that the aircraft blew up in flight. It is believed by the inquiry board that they saw tail end exhaust of the aircraft as it was flying south going away from the witnesses. The aircraft impacted approximately one quarter mile from the helipad. The appearance of the wreckage indicated that the aircraft skids scraped a dike and that it was in a nose low attitude, leaning on its right side when it hit. It also appeared to have burst into flames upon impact. The main rotor blades and a portion of the mast were found approximately 300 meters east of the aircraft. The crew lost in this incident included the pilots CAPT Richard C. Benicewicz and 1LT Robert A. Dalton, crew chief SP5 Rene A. Santos, and gunner SP4 Dale L. Stock. [Taken from vhpa.org]