THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Th remembrances from Judy Cherbonneau are touching and reflect her admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Dear Mr. Otis, I had the fortune of meeting your wife today at a family reunion. The conversation of Vietnam came up and she spoke of you. In parting, she wrote your name on a piece of paper and handed it to me asking me to look for you. Now having learned your story on the eve of this Independence Day, sir I assure you that you are not forgotten and that I am thankful to know your name.

Dear Sp5 Otis Simpson, Thank you for your service as a CH-47 Helicopter Repairer with the 1st Cavalry. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Happy Presidents' Day. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On November 4, 1968, this aircraft, a U.S. Army CH-47A tail number 66-19047 from B Company, 228th Aviation Battalion, 1st AIR CAV, departed Bien Hoa Air Base for Bear Cat airfield. On board were twelve persons and a large quantity of miscellaneous cargo, mostly the personal effects of company personnel. Shortly after level off at an altitude of 2500 feet, the fire warning light on number two engine came on. The pilot immediately declared an emergency and turned toward Bien Hoa Air Base while other crew members and his wing ship were scanning the engine for visual confirmation of the fire. Several crewmen reported smelling smoke and seeing what were described as fumes, but none recalls actually seeing fire. At that time the pilot pulled the fire handle and fired both extinguisher bottles into number two engine. At the same time he entered autorotation to minimize his descent time. At approximately 250 feet he began to apply thrust to slow the descent. At that time the number one engine began to fail. Emergency beep failed to cause the engine to respond. The aircraft struck the ground with slight forward speed in a rapid descent, with low rotor rpm. The rear rotor blades flexed down and chopped into the top of the fuselage. Instantly after impact the rear of the aircraft became engulfed in flames. Two passengers were able to exit thru the fire with only minor burns. Nine persons escaped thru the front exits. One passenger, SP5 Otis R. Simpson, was trapped in the rear of the aircraft and died in the fire. Because of the intense heat, rescue personnel were unable to recover the body until the following day. One passenger reports hearing something striking the aircraft in the vicinity of the number two engine. This and the reports of ground to air fire in the vicinity of the crash, indicate the possibility of bullet damage to the engine. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Dear SP5 Otis Raymond Simpson, 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