THE WALL OF FACES

Remember to save for them a place inside of you, and save one backward glance when you are leaving, for the places they can no longer go...

Dear SSgt Donald Stewart, Thank you for your service with the 309th Air Commando Squadron. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Today is the 47th anniversary of the last battle 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.

Staff Sergeant Donald David Stewart, Served with the 309th Air Commando Squadron, 315th Air Commando Group, 13th Air Force.

Staff Sergeant Donald David Stewart was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism and extraordinary achievement while engaged in aerial flight. He was assigned to the 309TH AIR COMMANDO SQDN, 315TH AIR COMMANDO GROUP, 13TH AIR FORCE.

On December 11, 1965, a C-123B Provider (#56-4376) from the 309th Air Commando Squadron, 315th Air Commando Group, 13th Air Force, was lost while flying from Pleiku Air Base to Tuy Hoa Air Base. Involved in a Mule Train combat cargo mission originating out of Tan Son Nhut Air Base where the 309th was stationed at the time, the C-123B contacted trees on a ridge line and entered a spin, crashing 1000 feet below. The ridge line had an elevation of about 4000 feet and was probably barely visible with low ceilings between 50 and 1000 feet and rain showers. The aircraft crashed 32 km (20 miles) west of Tuy Hoa. All crew and passengers, 85 total, were killed. The U.S. crew of four, without a navigator, included pilot MAJ Robert M. Horsky, co-pilot CAPT George P. McKnight, SSGT Mercedes P. Salinas, and SSGT Donald D. Stewart. Also lost were 81 South Vietnamese paratroopers. The aircraft was found by ARVN soldiers. The crew's remains were repatriated and interred in Arlington National Cemetery in 1974. [Taken from togetherweserved.com]