THE WALL OF FACES

On September 13, 1968, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H (tail number 67-17552) from A Company, 1st Aviation Battalion, crashed after losing five feet of the aircraft’s tail boom due to ground fire. The helicopter was on a 20-ship battalion combat lift near Loc Ninh during poor weather with a ceiling at approximately 700' when it was shot down by an enemy .51 caliber heavy machine gun. Eight persons were killed in the incident. The pilot attempted autorotating the damaged helicopter, but the rotorhead separated from the mast and the aircraft hit the ground traveling down and sideways. The gunner, SP4 Raymond E. Lanter, jumped before reaching the ground but did not survive. Seven other personnel on board perished in the crash. They included aircraft commander CPT Gerald W. Plunkett, pilot CW2 William Manzanares Jr., and crew chief SP5 Jose D. Guiterrez-Velazques. The lost passengers were MGEN Keith L. Ware, SMAJ Joseph A. Venable, LTC Henry M. Oliver, and 1LT Steven L. Beck. MGEN Ware’s white German Shepard, “King,” was also killed. [Taken from vhpa.org, armyaircrews.com, and vvmf.org]

Dear MGEN Keith Lincoln Ware, 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, Sir

Curt Carter

MG Ware was killed in Loch Ninh Province.

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor Keith.

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