THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Captain Lufkin Scott Sharp, 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

On June 19, 1968, pilot CAPT Lufkin S. Sharp and co-pilot 1LT Michael D. Helmstetler were flying a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter CH-46A (tail number 153381) from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron161 when either a poncho liner or parachute flare got caught in the aft rotor system of their helicopter near Quang Tri and caused the overlapping rotor blades to desynchronize. One of the front blades came down and scooped out the cockpit just like a scoop through ice cream. Both pilots suffered fatal injuries in the incident when their legs were severed. One pilot lived for a while and the other one had been hit in the head. The only apparent damage to the helicopter was the missing rotor blades and the front half of the cockpit was gone. The other crewmen and passengers were uninjured. (Info from Bruce Lake's book "1500 Feet Over Vietnam.") [Taken from vhpa.org]

Semper Fi Captain.

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 comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

Lufkin is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Gainsville, GA.