THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever….

Dear SSgt Stanley Truesdale, Thank you for your service with the 776th Troop Carrier Squadron. Your 88th birthday is soon, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Agent Orange Awareness Month. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it still needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On April 12, 1963, a C-123 Provider (tail number 56-4380) crashed on take-off from the still-under-construction airfield at Nakon Phanom, Thailand, killing four crewmen and two Thai civilians on the ground. The four lost crewmen included 1LT Raymond E. Doyle Jr., 1LT Richard L. Hatlestad, SSGT Donald S. Carson, and SSGT Stanley E. Truesdale. SSGT Carson survived the crash, dying three days later. His name was initially over looked on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, but was later corrected. While the aircraft and the two pilots were assigned to the 777th Troop Carrier Squadron temporarily based at Don Muang Airfield, Bangkok, the U.S. Air Force casualty list indicates SSGT Truesdale was assigned to the 776th Troop Carrier Squadron. There may have been two survivors: SSGT Donald Carson Harry Williams III. (Note: There are different versions of why the aircraft crashed. One account stated that the left wing hit a house while the aircraft was attempting to snare a red flag on top of a flagpole. There is also this unattributed description: "I hate to be the bearer of sad news, but the C-123 that crashed at NKP (Nakon Phanom air base) was trying to snag a pair of panties that was flying from a flagpole with a tie-down chain slung out the back ramp. That accident was famous at Pope (air field) even after I got there and started flying." And finally, this version: "I knew several people who were TDY to Saigon when that incident happened. The troops at NKP had run a pair of panties up a flagpole. This particular crew got the bright idea of trying to snag it with a tie-down chain. I've forgotten if they got too low and hit the pole or if the airplane stalled, but that's what happened." [Taken from togetherweserved.com]

Dear SSGT Stanley E Truesdale, 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, and for those who love you.

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

Curt Carter

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Frye – 1932