THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Spencer McClure is especially touching. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

On December 26, 1969, a C-7B Caribou (#63-9723) from the 459th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing, 7th Air Force, based at Phu Cat, was hit by small arms fire as it approached Tien Phuoc, west of Tam Ky during a cargo flight from Phu Cat. The pilot, 1LT David B. Bowling, was shot through the heart, and the aircraft crashed inverted into a rice paddy near the village of Phuoc An. Although the co-pilot survived, the flight mechanic, TSGT E J Welch Jr., was crushed to death by the cargo when it broke loose on impact. Five Vietnamese civilians on the ground were injured by flying debris from the crash. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and c-7acaribou.com]

DEAR LIEUTENANT BOWLING,
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A FIXED WING PILOT. MONDAY WAS THE 42ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAYAQUEZ INCIDENT - THE LAST BIG BATTLE OF THE WAR BIG SIGH. MEMORIAL DAY IS APPROACHING, BUT ALL DAYS WE SHOULD HONOR YOU. 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.

First Lieutenant David Bicknel Bowling, Served with the 459th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing, 7th Air Force. Also Served with the 537th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing, 7th Air Force.

David was one of my best friends in Vietnam. We went through C-7A training in Tenn together before we both were sent to Vietnam; and we were stationed at Phu Cat, Vietnam. After all these many years that have passed since his death (46 years now), I still think of him. Every Veterans Day (which is today) I think of him. Every Xmas I think of him since he was killed the day after. He was a sterling man: kind, soft spoken, and a great individual and great officer. One of the finest men I have known in my life. I only wish I could have passed my condolences to his wife and family.