THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your medic Joseph Calhoun is touching and reflects his admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever.

Dear Sgt James Standefer, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. I researched you on the 55th anniversary of the start of your tour. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Happy Spring. Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

Thank you Sergeant Standefer for your leadership and exemplary courage under fire.

On February 18, 1968, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D (tail number 64-13845) from A Company, 123rd Aviation Battalion, 23rd Infantry Division, was shot down by automatic weapons fire while climbing out of a pick-up zone during a combat assault. The aircraft crashed and burned. There were no survivors. The lost crewmen included pilots WO1 Jeffrey R. Byrne and WO1 Noel D. Williams, crew chief SP4 David W. Heck, and gunner PFC Brian W. Bates. Four passengers from C Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry were also lost. They were PFC Tommie Brandon, PFC Darrell L. Cabell, SP4 Rhondal G. Claypool, and SGT James G. Standefer. The lost UH-1 aircraft was participating in the combat assault of Charlie Company from their operating location to the north of LZ Hardcore (Hill 148), located near Alpha Company in the vicinity of Minibase Fox. When hit, the aircraft was gaining altitude after leaving the pick-up zone. It was believed the pilot was wounded or killed; the aircraft lost altitude rapidly and went out of control, crashed and burned. The helicopter was a total loss. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vhpa.org, and veteransmemorial.us]