THE WALL OF FACES

Some may think you are forgotten
Though on earth you are no more
But in our memory you are with us
As you always were before….

On July 27, 1969, a U.S. Air Force Boeing B-52D Stratofortress strategic bomber (#56-0630) from the 4133rd Bomb Wing crashed into the Pacific Ocean following the failure of the starboard (right) wing after takeoff from Anderson Air Force Base in Guam. All eight personnel aboard were killed. The lost crewmen included aircraft commander MAJ Edward W. Wyatt, co-pilot CAPT John A. Albasio, radar navigator CAPT Donald J. Maccio, navigator CAPT Edward A. Miskowski, electronic warfare officer 1LT Gary P. Leach, and tail gunner TSGT Clinton E. Tibbetts. Also lost were two Air Force personnel embarked on the aircraft as observers, LTC Robert H. Barr and TSGT Richard Piskula. The wing separation occurred about the time the nose wheel left the ground during takeoff. Eyewitness accounts reported that the plane continued momentarily in level flight, then made a violent bank below the sight of the cliff at the end of the runway, crashing into the sea. Aircraft commander Wyatt attempted to eject as his chute was found either fully or partially deployed. His remains were recovered. The remains of two other crewmen and one passenger were also recovered; however, the bodies of Albasio, Barr, Leach, and Tibbetts were not found. Tibbetts was posthumously promoted to Master Sergeant. Following the crash, there was a discreet inspection of the entire fleet of D model B-52's for structural issues involving the wing and fuselage. The long inspection process occurred during the continued regular use of the jets in bombing missions. Several aircraft were deemed not airworthy and grounded because of structural issues. The inspection and the subsequent groundings were never publicized. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, aviation-safety.net, and web.archive.org]

Dear Tsgt Clinton, Thank you for your service with the 393rd Bomb Squadron. Your 53rd anniversary just passed, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Tomorrow is the 58th anniversary of the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it still needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Technical Sergeant Clinton Eugene Tibbetts, Served with the 393rd Bomb Squadron, 4133rd Bomb Wing (Provisional), Strategic Air Command (SAC).

I was looking for one of our local boys and friends brother Gordon Tibbetts from our home town of Boothbay Harbor. I was surprised to find that there were three Tibbetts from Maine who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. Gordon was a kind, gentle young man. Something tells you was as well. I pray that your with God and will someday great your family. Sir thank you for your dedication to your company and your ultimate sacrifice. May you rest in peace and live forever with God and those who have gone before you. I will remember you in my prayers.