THE WALL OF FACES

Thank You for your Service Sir. It is my hope that Michigan will see my tribute and honor you too. Rest in Peace.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. We should be forever thankful for the sacrifices of you and so many others to ensure the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Dear Lt Philip Schrock, Thank you for your service as a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander. Your 52nd anniversary just passed, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On December 6, 1969, a U.S. Army UH-1D helicopter (#66-16699) from the 57th Assault Helicopter Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion, was operating over a Central Highlands battlefield when it was shot down about 16 miles northeast of Kontum. Eleven persons were killed in the crash, including five Americans and five Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) personnel plus one Viet Cong detainee. The aircraft was observing an operation of the 42nd South Vietnamese Regiment and a Civilian Irregular Defense Group militia unit when it was hit by small arms fire. The helicopter lost power at a low altitude above thick jungle canopy and crashed. The lost Americans included crewmen aircraft commander 1LT Philip J. Schrock, pilot CPT Charles E. Ferrell, crew chief SP5 Peter K. Miranda, gunner PFC Rolland L. Durflinger, and passenger COL George L. Miller, an ARVN advisor from MACV. The lost ARVN personnel included COL Nguyen Ba Lien, the commander of 10,000 government troops plus two majors accompanying him. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vhpa.org, and “10 Killed in Huey Over Battlefield.” Pacific Stars & Stripes, December 8, 1969]

Dear 1LT Philip John Schrock, 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