THE WALL OF FACES

The U.S. Army Bell OH-58A Kiowa was principally used for observation, utility, and direct fire support, identifying targets for other platforms such as the Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter or ground artillery. The Kiowa lacked any armaments and carried only a small amount of cargo. The first OH-58A’s reached South Vietnam in August 1969. On December 1, 1970, an I Field Force Kiowa (#68-16749) from 7th Battalion, 15th Artillery crashed in bad weather in the Mang Yang Pass in Pleiku Province, RVN, four kilometers (2.5 miles) east of Phu Yen village. The ship’s pilot and four passengers all perished in the crash. They included pilot WO1 Stephen C. Sellett and passengers LTC Raymond B. Penn Jr., SGM Laverne D. Coyle, CW2 Kenneth E. Crayne, and an unnamed local Vietnamese commander. The flight had departed at 2:50 PM from Landing Zone Blackhawk, located north of National Route QL-19, about fifteen nautical miles east of Pleiku. Passengers Penn, Cranye, and Coyle were returning to Phu Cat from a routine visit to their firing batteries and higher headquarters. The aircraft reportedly was following a normal flight route near QL-19. The weather was marginal with intermittent rain and reduced visibility. The area is characterized by its rapidly changing weather, poor forced landing areas, and frequent high winds and turbulence. Shortly after 3:00 PM, the Kiowa initiated a left descending turn at the western entrance of the Ming Yang Pass. The aircraft nearly completed a three hundred sixty degree descending left turn when it impacted at high speed near the base of a small hill, approximately one hundred fifty yards north of QL-19. The helicopter disintegrated on impact, simultaneously bursting into flame, killing the pilot and all passengers. The wreckage spread downslope from the impact point about sixty feet to a small creek where the engine, transmission, tail boom, and associated components were found. Although several people were near the crash site, no attempt at rescue was made after reaching the wreckage due to the obvious lack of survivors. Fire and exploding ammunition prevented recovery of the bodies. It was approximately two hours before removal of the remains was possible. The bodies were taken to the 71st Evacuation Hospital in Pleiku. [Sourced at coffeltdatabase.org and vhpa.org]

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Dear WO Stephen Sellett, Thank you for your service as an Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is another new year. Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Warrant Officer Stephen Charles Sellett, Served with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 7th Battalion, 15th Artillery Regiment, 52nd Artillery Group, First Field Force.

Stephen Charles Sellett was from Sterling, Illinois. He graduated from Sterling Township High School in 1965. He attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana as well as the University of Barcelona in Spain. In April of 1969, Stephen enlisted in the US Army. He graduated from Fort Rucker, Alabama in May of 1970 as a helicopter pilot. Stepehen was assigned to the 7th Battalion, 15th Artillery Division, 52nd Army Group. Stephen had served in Vietnam for 6 months before being killed in action while on a helicopter mission on December 1, 1970. He left behind his parents and a sister and brother.
In 1971, Stephen's parents established a scholarship, in Stephen's name at DePauw University and awarded every year since to one to three students.
A special thanks to Brenda McBride of the DePauw University Administrative Staff for locating and submitting the school picture of Stephen Sellett.