THE WALL OF FACES

The “Friends of Rocky Versace” remember one of Rocky’s fellow alumni from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Capt Herbert Willoughby Booth Jr., on what would’ve been his xx birthday - 19 October 2016.

CAPT Herbert W. Booth Jr. was a Dora Corn Forward Air Controller assigned to Detachment 2A, 1st Air Commando Group at Bien Hoa. He was flying U-10A Helio Courier (#62-5909) with TSGT Richard L. Foxx and Special Forces CAPT Terry D. Cordell when they were shot down at Buon Enao in Dar Lac Province, RVN, while supporting ARVN units. They were brought down by Viet Cong small arms ground fire when they flew low over the battlefield to support the ground units that were in combat. All three crewmen suffered fatal injuries in the incident. Booth and Foxx were members of the first detachment of "Jungle Jim" air commandos deployed to Vietnam, trained at Hurlburt Field in Florida, and code named "Farmgate." This group was the first to use Air Force Forward Air Controllers (FACs), using the call sign Dora Corn. Cordell was the commander of the Special Forces "A" Detachment at Buon Enao. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vvmf.org, and fac-assoc.org]

Capt Herbert W. Booth was an alumnus of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY. He was one of 334 men from West Point who died or are MIA in Southeast Asia from October, 1957 – September, 1972.

Dear Captain Herbert W Booth Jr, 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

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.