THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Major Clyde Seiler, 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

Rest in peace with the warriors.

Rest in peace with the warriors.

MAJOR CLYDE SEILER -



served as a



FORWARD AIR CONTROLLER



with the



120th TACTICAL FIGHTER SQUADRON



a unit of the



COLORADO AIR NATIONAL GUARD



attached to the



35th TACTICAL FIGHTER WING



7th AIR FORCE



of the



UNITED STATES AIR FORCE





Phan Rang, Vietnam - 27 March 1968 -



The F-100 Super Sabre jet fighter-bomber flown by Major Clyde Seiler of Colorado's 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron was shot down by enemy ground fire while he was conducting a strafing mission in support of American forces.



He died in the crash, becoming the first of two pilots from the squadron killed in action during its Vietnam deployment.



Just two months earlier he had set the squadron record of flying its 5,000th combat sortie ( mission ) since the unit arrived in May 1968.



( PHOTO TAKEN ON DAY OF 5000th COMBAT MISSION )



Major Clyde Seiler waves as he leaves the cockpit of his F-100C fighter-bomber having just completed the 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron's 5,000 sortie in January.











YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN



NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE









R E M E M B R A N C E







++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++





The first Air Guard unit to deploy to South Vietnam was Colorado's 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron, which arrived at Phan Rang Air Base, about 25 miles south of Cam Ranh Bay on 3 May 1968.



The unit, assigned to the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, flew its first combat mission just two days later.



By the end of its 11-month tour, the 120th had set an Air Guard wartime record of 5,905 sorties.



While racking up the record, one of its milestones, the 1,000th sortie, was flown by then Major John L. France, who would later become a USAFR Major General and Colorado Adjutant General and NGAUS President.



Unfortunately the pilot who flew the 5,000th sortie, Major CLYDE SEILER, was killed when his F-100 exploded during a mission shortly before the unit returned home.



Also killed in action, only a few days later, was Captain PERRY HENRY JEFFERSON, the 120th's intelligence officer, who died when his Cessna 0-1 Bird Dog aircraft crashed during a mission.



The 120th later returned to its home base, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, and was released on 30 April 1969.





++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to cxomfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.