THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. While all deaths in Vietnam are tragic that you died so shortly after your 21st birthday is especially so. May you rest in eternal peace.

I placed a wreath at your grave today. Know that today, you were honored and remembered. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

On March 22, 1969, a U.S. Army helicopter CH-47B (tail number 67-18461) from the 178th Assault Support Helicopter Company, callsign Boxcar, was conducting a troop and resupply lift in Quang Tin Province, RVN, when it crashed during landing approach to LZ West. Nine personnel were killed in the incident, including one crewman. They included flight engineer SP5 Robert C. Tedford, and passengers SP4 Richard W. Goden, SP4 Clarence H. Boolin, SP4 Leonardo Rios-Velazquez Jr., SP4 Charles D. Howell, SGT David C. Vallance, and SP4 Terry L. Staman. SP4 George F. Reynolds Jr. was critically burned in the crash and was medically evacuated to the 106th Army General Hospital in Yokohama, Japan, where he expired March 29, 1969. The aircraft had the routine mission to resupply Fire Support Base West with hot rations, canned goods, soda pop, beer, lumber, mail, and other miscellaneous cargo. These items were loaded internally along with 25 passengers at LZ Baldy. The aircraft was refueled, and a hover check was performed. Difficulty in hovering prompted the decision to reduce the load, and five passengers were taken off the aircraft. After a subsequent hover check, the aircraft departed LZ Baldy with the remaining twenty passengers, internal cargo, and crew of five at 1300 hours. While approaching short final to LZ West, the aircraft commander noticed that the aircraft was losing power. The aircraft continued to settle and was falling below the lip of the ridgeline. The aircraft commander took over the controls, banked the aircraft sharply to the left. After a 180 degree turn, the aircraft started down the hillside and struck a small tree with the rear rotor disk. Initial contact with the ground was made with the rear left gear which was sheared it from the fuselage. The rear ramp structure also contacted the ground at this point. The aircraft pitched about its rear pivot point, causing the entire right side of the aircraft to contact the ground. Inertia carried the aircraft over on its back in what was described as a slow roll. The aircraft came to a complete stop inverted. The rear end immediately burst into flames which completely destroyed the aircraft in less than ten minutes. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vhpa.org]

DEAR SPEC 4 BOOLIN,
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN INFANTRYMAN. IT HAS BEEN FAR TOO LONG FOR ALL OF YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE. YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS. IT WAS JUST EASTER - GOD'S BLESSINGS ON YOU.

Dear SP4 Clarence Henry Boolin, 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