THE WALL OF FACES

Dear WO Jerone Wanick, Thank you for your service as an Utility & Light Cargo Single Rotor Helicopter Pilot. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Veterans’ Day is soon. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Warrant Officer Jerone James Warnick, Served with Company C, 158th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 160th Aviation Group, 101st Airborne Division.

On April 15, 1969, U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 67-17614 from Company C, 158th Aviation, was involved in a crash when on an early morning “Snoopy” sniffer mission it hit a large tree, crashed, and exploded. There were six fatalities in this incident: pilots WO1 Terrence J. Mortensen and WO1 Jerone J. (J.J.) Warnick, crew chief SP5 Doyle D. Dunbar and passengers MAJ Neal W. Lovsnes Jr., CAPT Robert A. Young, and SP5 Herbert S. Hildebrand. In November 1993, Lawrence E. Pluhar recalled the loss: “I was a member of the accident investigation board whose work was cut short by the Commanding General who declared it a combat loss. However, the (AH-1) Cobra escort pilots whom we interviewed stated there was no hostile fire. The crew was low ship on an early morning sniffer mission. The aircraft impacted a large, dead tree which separated one main rotor blade. The aircraft caught fire, rolled inverted, and crashed cockpit first on a rocky stream bed. The aircraft exploded on impact, killing Mortenson, Warnick, and Dunbar. The gunner was thrown from the aircraft 300 yards prior to impact and survived. He was found by the infantry platoon inserted to recover the bodies of the crew. The only body not completely burned was Mortenson. He was found face down in the stream still strapped in his seat. All of the crew killed were very well liked and part of the original personnel which formed the unit at Fort Riley, KS in 1968. J.J. Warnick's call sign was Phoenix 25, which I remember well since mine was 24 and we flew together often prior to his death. This accident occurred south of Hue/Phu Bai between FSB Anzio and FSB Roy.” [Taken from vhpa.org]

Dear WO Jerone James Warnick, 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

Jerry, your class of 1964 of Shadle Park High School will never for get you. I still remember you visiting with my parents at least once a week when I was over there. Thank you for that and thank you for your service and giving your life for our country.