THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Sp4 Dennis Stecker, Thank you for your service with the 118th Attack Helicopter Company. The 52nd anniversary of the start of your tour is soon. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Tomorrow is 47th anniversary of the official end of the war. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Fifty years ago today, November 17, 1970, we were awakened at Bien Hoa AB at 05:18 hours by 28 incoming 122mm rockets. An unusually large rocket attack, especially for us REMFs inside the wire. Killed were 5 and 34 were wounded. The attack made The NY Times the following day: “ROCKETS STRIKE BIENHOA AIR BASE NORTHEAST OF SAIGON”
Several of the rockets landed in our Army/USAF housing compound killing 3 and wounding 23, most were struck while bottlenecked waiting to get into a single entrance bunker. A direct hit landed in the midst of them. This bunker was to the right of my barracks and I fortunately ran into the bunker on the left of my barracks.
That’s at least 26 Purple Hearts in just a few minutes. Of the three killed, Ken Adkins, Joe Carter and Dennis Stecker, one was Army and two were USAF. One of the Airman was African American. All were E-4s, 21 years old, and graduated H.S. in 1967.
I also graduated H.S. in 1967, I stayed two barracks from the impact area, was 20 years old, E-4, USAF, Mission Controller, Rocket Alley Airlift Element, 834th Air Division. It was my 122th day in-country.

I was with HHC, 1st Cav Div down the road. That was a scary night and next day. My section sergeant, SFC David Bey, took me and a couple other guys with him into the hit area. I remember how sad I felt and have always wondered who died that morning. The latrine was hit by at least one rocket and the enamel from the fixtures was scattered all around. SP4 Curtis Sprinkle and SP4 Kenney Smith were also with us. May Dennis rest in peace or thrive in the Afterlife. A lifetime ago yet remembered as if it were only yesterday.

Dennis worked on my helicopter "Thunderbird410". He lived in the same barracks as I.
He was the first floor, I was on the second floor. I guess it's true, "Only the good die young."

I was there from 2/1970 til 2/ of 1971 this attack took place within Less than 5 feet from my normal bunker.due to short notice and the intense explosions near our exit door, I was saved by staying inside . Later I noticed that the bunker entrance was wired shut. Thank the lord I stayed put inside. I wish I could of helped.sorry