THE WALL OF FACES

On December 12, 1963, a U.S. Army heavy-lift helicopter CH-37B Mojave (tail number 55-00627) from the 611st Transportation Company was attempting to recover a downed U.S. helicopter when it was hit by enemy ground fire causing the aircraft to crash and burn. The ground fire hit the cockpit area as the crew was attempting to sling load the downed helicopter in the Mekong River delta in Tuong Dinh Province, South Vietnam. Four crewmen were killed in the attack. They included aircraft commander CW2 William E. Flowers, pilot 1LT Ronny L. Woodmansee, flight engineer SP5 Marshall J. Angell, and gunner PFC Newman R. Nesmith. The crew chief, E4 CS Albro, survived with injuries. The other crewmen’s remains were recovered except for Angell. A thorough search of the aircraft and surrounding area was conducted. It was ultimately surmised by those conducting the search that Angell was either consumed by the fire on board the aircraft or that he sank into the marshy ground surrounding the crash site. This was the only operational loss of a CH-37 during the Vietnam War. [Taken from vhpa.org and other web sources]

Dear 1LT Ronny Louis Woodmansee, 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

Ronny is buried at Forest Oaks Memorial Park in Austin, TX.

Remembered

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, 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.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you , one of the gentle heroes and patriots lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers