THE WALL OF FACES

On May 16, 1971, a New York Times article described heroin use by American troops in Vietnam had reached epidemic proportions. The piece reported that 10 to 15 percent of lower-ranking enlisted men were heroin users, and military officials working in drug‐suppression estimated that as much as a quarter of all enlisted personnel, more than 60,000 men, were hooked. They added that some field surveys reported units with more than 50 percent of the men on heroin. In Vietnam, the drug was plentiful, cheap, and 95 percent pure. The habit, which cost $100 a day to maintain in the U.S., cost less than $5 a day in Vietnam. A1C Daniel L. Aamold served with the 435th Munitions Maintenance Squadron, 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force. At 7:00 AM on August 19, 1970, Aamold reported for duty with the 435th Munitions Maintenance Squadron at Phan Rang Air Base, nine kilometers (5.4 miles) northwest of Phan Rang city in Ninh Thuan Province, RVN. He performed his regular duties, had a lunch break at approximately 12:00 PM, then returned to work until relieved at 5:00 PM, all the time being present at his work station. He returned to the Squadron area and was seen at the post office around 10:00 PM by another airman who reported Aamold’s behavior was normal. He then went to the lower bay of barracks #448 at Phan Rang where beer and wine was being consumed. Aamold passed out at approximately 11:30 PM and was placed in one of the barracks’ lower bunks. The airman berthed in the upper bunk went to bed at 1:00 AM and noted he though he heard Aamold snoring. At 6:15 AM, the airman in the upper bunk arose and tried to wake Aamold. When he was unsuccessful, an ambulance was requested from the 35th U.S. Air Force dispensary. A physician arrived with the vehicle, and at 6:45 AM, Aamold was pronounced dead. The remains were removed to the dispensary, then transferred to the 483rd U.S. Air Force Hospital at Cam Ranh Bay. The cause of death was initially reported as “unknown”; however, postmortem studies at Cam Ranh Bay indicated Aamold died from diffuse pulmonary edema and congestion with cerebral edema, common adverse events following a heroin overdose. Aamold’s death occurred three days before his nineteenth birthday. He had been in Vietnam less than three months. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “G.I. Heroin Addiction Epidemic in Vietnam.” New York Times (New York, NY), May 16, 1971]

Courtesy of Nicole at Moorhead Public Library, Moorhead, MN.

It's very sad to look at this young man photos and see his life was ended because of a war that was unnecessary.The politicians have a lot to answer for .

Never Forgotten.

HOOAH

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 sun 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.

As long as you are remembered you will never truly die....