THE WALL OF FACES

Dear LCPL Frank Joseph Bosco, 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

Semper Fidelis, Marine.

At approximately 1045 hours on June 21, 1969, a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter CH-46D (tail number 154811) from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 was on a reconnaissance insertion mission in Quang Nam Province, RVN, about 22 1/2 miles northwest of Danang, when the aircraft was hit by hostile enemy fire, causing the helicopter to crash and burn. The helicopter was attempting to insert a recon team at position ZC033864. The attempt was abandoned because of enemy opposition, and the aircraft was moving away when the gunner heard a loud explosion from the controls closet area. The co-pilot reported later that the aircraft lost boost pressure. It is suspected that the aircraft as hit in the controls closet area by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG). Another report suggested small arms fire damaged the helicopter. The aircraft then went out of control and crashed. Pilot 1LT William L. Peters Jr. and crew chief LCPL Paul E. Petroline plus six members of the recon team, including 2LT William G. Schanck Jr., LCP Frank J. Bosco, LCPL Richard A. Weil Jr., PFC Arthur C. Council III, PFC Robert L. Crites Jr., and PFC James O. Hall Jr. were killed in the crash. The co-pilot, the two gunners, and the remaining two members of the recon team were injured and later rescued. [Taken from vhpa.org]

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Photo courtesy of Dave Snider.