THE WALL OF FACES

Dear PR1 Eureka Lavern Schmittou, 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

Crew consisted of LT Richard W. Homuth, LJG Thomas E. Pettis, PR1 Eureka L. Schmittou, and ADJ Ronald P. Soucy. On 23 May 1967 after launching from the USS Hornet and during search and rescue operations in the Gulf of Tonkin, the aircraft was downed, its crash at sea considered hostile. No radio contact was heard and the helicopter was classified as missing. Crew members were listed as “killed in action-body not recovered” which was later changed to “remains nonrecoverable” (status assigned 11 Sept 1974). [Taken from vhpa.org]

Eureka has a military marker in his memory at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego,CA.

I never got to meet you. See you smile, hear you laugh, go to the park and swing together or any other thing that Grandparents and Grandchildren share. I will miss all the experiances we never had. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you Eureka Lavern Schmittou, for your continued vigilant and faithful service, to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore, you shall never be forgotten!

Again, thank you Sailor, for a job well done!

MAYBE ONE DAY SOON.....UNTIL THEN....HEAVENLY PEACE MY FRIEND