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 Lt Don Stockton, Thank you for your service as a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander - Helicopter Pilot. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. The 47th anniversary of the last battle of the war just passed. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

I sometimes think of all the great times we had in high school. I miss having my friend around. Thank you for your service, Don. I spent mine entirely stateside.

RIP Don

On December 15, 1969, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H (tail number 68-16206) from the 176th Assault Helicopter Company was conducting a night flare mission in Quang Tin Province (I Corps) during marginal weather when the aircraft crashed, killing five crewmen. The lost personnel included pilots WO1 Dee A. Hyden and 1LT Don E. Stockton Jr., crew chief SP5 Donald R. Rose, gunner SP5 Larry D. Keeler, and passenger SP4 William S. Barritt. The ship was carrying 40 flares when the mission began. The weather was drizzly and foggy and within minutes the pilots reported vertigo. The ship crashed into the ground just north of the base. It was reported that SP5 Keeler was to return home the following day. [Taken from vhpa.org]