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….

Francis A. Walsh is my grandfather. My mothers father. I have always heard stories about him from my grandma. She loved his curls. My mother acquired my grandfathers burnt wallet with his license only burnt on the right side leaving his photo and some words still legible. We will always remember my grandpa Walsh and one who served selflessly and loved his career serving his country.

Dear Maj Francis Walsh, Thank you for your service as a Tactical Fighter Pilot. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart . Halloween is soon. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it still needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Major Francis Anthony Walsh Jr., Served with the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force. He was on temporary assignment with the 16th Special Operations Squadron when he was killed in action.

I was buddies with Frank at Ellsworth when he flew tankers. He volunteered to be a fighter pilot. By chance, I was in Thailand in late 1972. One night we were refueling an Owl (night recon) Flight (4 F-4s)and Frank asked which base our crew was from. When he found out it was me, he said he would come down and see some of his old buddies at U-Tapeo. Mid Dec he shows up on crutches (sprained ankle) and needed a Dec mission. I got him on our next flight, it was 6am the next morning. He did not show and I thought he found a later flight on another tanker as he was surrounded by tanker crews who were now all his buddies. A couple weeks later, we again were refueling an Owl flight and I heard the sad news. My last memory was that always big smile and a big hug saying he would see me at the (Crew) bus stop the next morning. RIP Frank