THE WALL OF FACES

Remember to save for them a place inside of you, and save one backward glance when you are leaving, for the places they can no longer go...

Dear Lcpl Patrick Wood, Thank you for your service as an Aircraft Communication/Navigation Systems Tech/Trainee. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Yesterday was Happy Valentine's Day. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Lance Corporal Patrick Lee Wood served with the III Marine Amphibious Force, 1st Marine Air Wing, HMM 363. Died through non-hostile action, air crash at sea South Vietnam, South China Sea. May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace LCPL. Wood, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Semper Fidelis!

Dear LCPL Patrick Lee Wood, 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

From HMM-363 Squadron Chronology January 11, 1967: Two Millpoint aircraft were proceeding to Quang Ngai Airfield to stand night medevac. YZ-74 had to make a passenger pickup at the Admin Pad before continuing to Quang Ngai. The section leader radioed his wingman in YZ-76 to orbit over the beach at Chu Lai to wait for YZ-74. While the lead aircraft was on the Admin Pad a radio transmission was received from YZ-76 stating that the aircraft was down [mechanically defective] and that the pilot was returning to Ky Ha to get another aircraft. The section leader rogered the transmission. A period of thirty seconds elapsed when the pilot of YZ-76 radioed that he had lost his engine and was ditching in the water off Chu Lai. The pilot of YZ-74 lifted out of the Admin Pad and arrived over the downed aircraft. [Note: YZ-74 (Sam Shepard, crew chief) was still turning on the VIP pad when the SAR aircraft arrived over the scene] YZ-76 hit the water at the surf line and due to heavy seas and surf the aircraft was breaking up very fast. There were no survivors to be found on the surface. Millpoint search and rescue aircraft [YZ-77] arrived over the scene minutes later and assumed command of rescue operations. YZ-76 went down with a crew of four: pilot 1LT Robert P. Schena, co-pilot 1LT Gary D. Shields, and crewmen CPL Ernest H. Wilson and LCPL Patrick L. Wood. Six Marine troops on board were also lost: LCPL Timothy D. Berry, LCPL William F. Coyne, LCPL Richard E. Fuchs, PFC Francis L. Langley, LCPL Alan R. Moore, and PFC Sandy L. Ross. [Taken from vhpa.org and popasmoke.com]