THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. While all deaths in Vietnam are tragic that you died just five days shy of your 30th birthday is especially so. May you rest in eternal peace.

On July 13, 1969, a U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A (tail number 67-16218) from 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne, crashed in the northwest end of Cau Hai Bay in Thua Thien Province, RVN. The pilot survived, however, passenger LT Roger G. Bove, a U.S. Senior Naval Advisor to the Vietnamese Navy’s 13th RVN Coastal Group was killed in the incident. The crash occurred while making an aerial inspection of the Cau Hai Dam, a dike at the northwestern end of the bay, while Bove was being transferred to FSB Roy after attending a meeting with his Vietnamese counterparts from Coastal Group 13. After inspecting the dam, the aircraft departed at low level. While climbing about 250-300 feet at 60-70 knots, a loud crack came from the aircraft’s motor accompanied by a left yaw. Believing this to be an engine failure, the pilot floored the pitch, rolled off the throttle, and corrected the yaw with right pedal. At this instant he noted that Bove had unbuckled his seat belt and was sitting up as if he intended to do something. The pilot yelled at him to fasten his harness and leaned over toward Bove, pushing the seat belt and harness toward him to give him the idea to rebuckle. At this point, the pilot realized they were going into the water. He flipped the radio to guard and got off one “Mayday” before they hit tail-low, causing them to cartwheel forward five or six times. Coming to rest underwater, but still harnessed in his seat, the pilot unstrapped and felt to his left where the passenger should have been. He then pushed straight out of his seat and found himself standing in waist deep water. He walked around what he thought was the aircraft, looking for Bove but saw only the tail boom a few yards back down the track of flight. Finding nothing, he began wading toward a village on the shoreline. He was picked up by a boat and carried to shore. He was taken to the village and had his wounds dressed. About 1 1/2 hours later, a helicopter from his unit arrived and called a dustoff that took him to the 22nd Surgical Hospital in Phu Bai. A unit helicopter then went out to the wreckage and recovered Bove's body and took it to the 22nd Surgical Hospital. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vhpa.org]

Roger was an outstanding member and leader in the Class of '58 at Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, VA. On behalf of the Class, I wish to express heartfelt gratitude for the freedom we've enjoyed all these years thanks to Roger and all members of the military who bravely serve our Nation. Roger's service and sacrifice will be honored at our 60th reunion in September. May he continue to rest in peace.

DEAR LIEUTENANT BOVE,
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN UNRESTRICTED LINE OFFICER (SURFACE WARFARE.) SUNDAY IS MOTHER'S DAY. IT HAS BEEN FAR TOO LONG FOR ALL OF YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE. YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS.

Dear LT Roger Gerhard Bove, 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