THE WALL OF FACES

Great sadness fills our hearts today
As pipes and drums, in slow march play.
A comrade’s fallen by the way,
And now we say goodbye.

This hero to the very end
Was more than just a casual friend,
Who would a stranger’s life defend,
And now we say goodbye

But we shall cherish, all our days,
The character this life portrayed
With sacrifice so freely made,
And now we say goodbye.

The hand salute, o’er Stars and Stripes,
And distant skirl of highland pipes,
Bid last farewell with hero’s rights,
And now we say goodbye.

While here on Earth, you gave your best.
Now in the Master’s arms you rest.
T’is by your memory we are blessed.
And now we say goodbye.

Dear Cap William Wilders, Thank you for your service as a Field Artillery Unit Commander. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is the 11th Day of Christmas. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear Captain William James Wilders, 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

Accident Summary: Crew members include OB Butler, LTC Roger H. Coye (KIA), and SP4 Edward P. Stefanik (KIA). Passengers andor other participants included SP4 Melvin D. Duty (KIA), PFC Lawrence E. Fowler (KIA), SP4 Paul C. Hamby (KIA), MAJ William A. Hendon (KIA), SP4 Thomas J. Klemp (KIA), SGM James H. Shannon (KIA), and CAPT William J. Wilders (KIA). Aircraft hit trees and building on takeoff, crashed and burned. Supplemental information: aircraft lost RPM shortly after takeoff possibly from overloading. Maintenance deficiency - engine trim check were not maintained per USARV Reg 385 40. Aircraft overloaded, crew did not use go-no-go check. Improper recovery from low RPM condition. Eye witness account: I just read the report concerning this accident. I believe additional information is needed with regards to the circumstances that may have been a factor as to why the accident occurred. I was there the day the helicopter crashed. I was an RTO for the Captain who was in charge of the air lift. The first lift of twenty five helicopters had taken off, but the helicopter assigned to be our Command and Control ship had not arrived. It was being refueled. While the refueling was taking place, the twenty five helicopters had reached the forward LZ and had unloaded the members of our battalion they had ferried to that location. This was done as they were all being fired on by the enemy. Our Battalion Commanded radioed to my Captain that they were receiving enemy fire. This radio call was also being monitored by the men who were going on the C&C ship when it arrived. Shortly after this radio message, we could hear the returning twenty five helicopters far off in the distance. At the same time, the assigned C&C arrived at our location. The C&C ship took on its’ passengers, then flew towards the tree line at the end of the airstrip. I think the mindset of the helicopter pilots, our unit’s S-3 Officer and our Sergeant Major was to get to the forward LZ as soon as they could despite the craft being over loaded. They took the risk and lost. Had the forward LZ not been under fire, I don’t think this accident would have occurred. There would have been no reason to take such a risk. The improper trim setting and the issue of not following proper procedures, to me, is not the mark of a bad pilot in this case. I think it is more likely the pilot was doing everything he knew to do to keep the craft in the air. To me, these men were focused on trying to get to the forward area where they knew they were needed. Their collective concern and their bravery led to this unfortunate tragedy. As an added comment, two days after this crash, my unit was in a fight for its life and running low on ammunition. Despite very heavy enemy fire, a chopper pilot landed with the much needed ammunition. One of the pilots and one of the door gunners were both either killed or wounded. It was almost suicidal to make that landing, yet it was made. I have the greatest respect for all the helicopter pilots that fought in Vietnam. Sincerely, Jim Austin 1st Infantry Division [Taken from vhpa.org]

William James Wilders Captain William J. Wilders, Artillery Liaison Officer died along with nine other men - the entire Battalion Command Group of the 1st Battalion, 28th Regiment, 1st Infantry Division in the 06 November 1966 crash of the UH-1D Command and Control helicopter (tail number 64-13883) They are; 254th Med Det, USARV PFC Anthony J. Gadda, Hackensack, NJ; A Co, 1st Avn Bn, 1st Inf Div SP4 Paul C. Hamby, Brandon, SC SP4 Edward P. Stefanik, Chicopee Falls, MA; HHC, 1st Avn Bn, 1st Inf Div LTC Roger H. Coye; HHC, 1st Bn, 28th Inf Rgt, 1st Inf Div MAJ William A. Hendon, Mannsville, OK SMAJ James H. Shannon, Bogue Chitto, MS SP4 Melvin D. Duty, Monroe, MI SP4 Thomas J. Klemp, Reedsburg, WI PFC Lawrence E. Fowler, Anderson, IN; 1st Bn, 5th ARTILLERY, 1st Inf Div CPT William J. Wilders