THE WALL OF FACES

I also have a bracelet with Col. Stewart's name on it. I have had it for decades, and often think of him and his family....especially the children who are now all grown up. I live in the same state as his family. May God continue to bless and keep them in His care. He will never be forgotten.

I have a bracelet that I wore for over a year hoping that Col Stewart would be found. I thank all of our service people that protect us.

On March 15, 1966, CAPT Martin R. Scott was the pilot of an F-4C Phantom fighter/bomber assigned a mission over North Vietnam. His bombardier/navigator on the flight was veteran pilot LTC Peter J. Stewart. The flight departed Ubon Airfield, Thailand, in the late afternoon for the armed reconnaissance flight that would take them over the city of Dien Binh Phu in North Vietnam. Scott and Stewart were number 2 in a two-plane flight. About one mile south of the Dien Bien Phu airport, the flight leader spotted two trucks on the main highway and directed the number two crew to make a low bombing pass. Moments later, the leader observed what he described as an dense explosion resembling a napalm drop in the target area. Repeated attempts to raise the number 2 plane failed. Scott and Stewart were declared missing. Because the plane went down in a heavily populated area deep in enemy territory, an organized search for Scott and Stewart was not possible. There was no evidence of survival. Peter J. Stewart and Martin J. Scott were both promoted to the rank of Colonel during the period they were maintained Missing in Action. [Taken from pownetwork.org]

My father served with Pete in WWII and Pete went back in and was in touch with my Dad, I shipped out as a Marine and while in country I received a letter from Pete basically encouraging me to do well and to get back home asap. He included some photos of he and a chopper. We were supposed to meet up to talk but I never got the chance. When I returned home my Dad took me to meet his wife and children. It was a very heavy burden for me to be alive and yet he was missing and here were all these people he loved an loved him. Surviviors guilt is real.

Dear COL Peter Joseph Stewart, 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, for those who love you, and for the Sgt's son.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter (son of Sgt. Ardon William Carter, 101st Airborne, February 4, 1966, South Vietnam)