THE WALL OF FACES

I wish to offer my heartfelt condolences to family and friends of Craig. He was always a caring and admired friend.

On June 9, 1967, a USAF C-130B Hercules (#58-0737) from the 29th Troop Carrier Squadron, crashed approximately 12 miles east of Tan Son Nhut, RVN. The C-130B, with ten persons aboard, was conducting a series of scheduled logistics flights within South Vietnam. The last leg of the trip was from Nha Trang to Saigon. As the aircraft neared Saigon it was vectored around an artillery firing zone. The aircraft broke up in flight, with both wings separating from the fuselage, and crashed. It was assumed that the structural failure resulted from ground fire. There were no survivors. The lost crew included pilot CAPT Rafael L. Rivera-Balaguer, co-pilot CAPT Jerome F. Starkweather, navigator CAPT Richard W. Podell, loadmaster SSGT Ricky L. Herndon, and flight engineers SSGT Ira E. Scott and SSGT William E. Tyree. Its passengers (all U.S. Army) were 1LT Richard A. Gray, SP5 Frank R. Ragusa, SP4 Craig R. Schoenbaum, and SP5 Andrew H. Shimp. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and aviation-safety.net]

I have never written about Craig. He was in A.I.T with me in 1966 at Fort Lee Virginia. Craig, George, myself and one other fella whose name I cannot remember took a bus ride to Richmond to look around. We arrived rather late and happened across a burger joint that had a small band playing in the parking lot. Knowing that Craig was a drummer I asked if Craig could sit in. They gladly obliged. He did a superior job and received accolades and applause from the small crowd that had gathered. I remember he said had played at the cinnamon cinder. He was the nicest gentleman. On the way back to Fort Lee an incident occurred on the bus. It seems an intoxicated G.I. got very irritated and put a knife to Craigs throat. I informed the driver of the situation. As we pulled up to the M.P. stop the purpose was arrested. I lost contact with Craig. Later hearing about his death. A song by "Stattler Brothers" I heard recently reminded me of him. "More than a name on a wall." Great guy. I later became a Deputy Sheriff for Los Angeles County and did four years patrol in Temple City. I saw on another entry he attended school at some time there.
Richard Love Sp4 U.S. Army 32nd med depot Cam Ran Bay
1966-1967

Craig,
Every Veterans Day I take out a rubbing I made on The Wall years ago that includes you and Gerry Stelle TCHS '63. Though some of our other classmates may not realize it you and Gerry gave up your lives just 5 days apart in June of 1967 and just a few names separate you. I knew you but perhaps not as well as Gerry. On Veterans Day I reflect on each of you equally because of the sacrifice you made. Peace be with you both.
Thank you for your service to your country and the freedom we enjoy

John Breneiser, TCHS '63
Navy 1965-1968

Dear SP4 Craig Ray Schoenbaum, 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, Sir

Curt Carter