THE WALL OF FACES

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

Philip is buried at Gethsemane Cemetery, Detroit,MI.

1LT Schrock was serving with the 57th Assault Helicopter Company, 1st Aviation Brigade at the time of his death. He was the pilot of UH-1D helicopter carrying COL George L. Miller, Senior Advisor to the 24th Special Tactical Zone and the Vietnamese Commanding Officer of the 24th Special Tactical Zone on a tour of the combat area. While taking off from a fire base the aircraft was hit by small arms fire, resulting in loss of power at a low altitude above thick jungle canopy. The crash killed all on board. The co-pilot on the mission was CPT Charles Elton Ferrell, a graduate of Field Artillery OCS Class 20B-67.

Phil's graduation picture from:
United States Army Aviation School
Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course, Class 69-20
Fort Rucker, Alabama
July 15, 1969