THE WALL OF FACES

Found your Memorial stone at Barrances National Cemetery this past weekend. Section MA, stone 41.

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Gunner SGT Donald P. Gervais, crewchief CPL Richard D. Martin, and pilot WO1 Warren T. Whitmire Jr. comprised the crew of a OH6A helicopter on a visual reconnaissance mission over the A Shau Valley in South Vietnam. At 1800 hours, another aircrew saw Whitmire's aircraft crash into a ravine. It appeared to the crew of the other aircraft that Whitmire's helicopter hit a dead tree. The other aircraft received gunfire as it flew closer to the site. Visual reconnaissance of the site was difficult because of enemy fire and it was determined that search crews could not be inserted because of the presence of enemy troops and rugged terrain. An infantry platoon that was on the ground had encountered the enemy troops, and had observed the crash through binoculars from 300 meters away. The platoon leader tried to move closer to the site, but encountered enemy activity and had to withdraw. Heavy enemy activity continued in the area, making it impossible to reach the site again. Gervais, Martin and Whitmire were declared Missing In Action. [Narrative taken from pownetwork.org; image from wikipedia.org]

Dear CWO Warren Taylor Whitmire Jr, 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

what you, and Grevais, and Martin tried your best to do and gave your all and forever for the missing men of D Co 5/7. Today is forty-two years later. Thank you, Buzz. My one hope is that someday you, and the others, will finally be returned from your last duty.

Warren has a military stone in his honor at Barrancas Nat Cem.