THE WALL OF FACES

Staff Sergeant Alton Darnell Woodruff, Served with A Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear SSgt Alton Woodruff, Thank you for your service as a Flight Qualified Observation/Scout Helicopter Repairer. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Presidents' Day Weekend. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

I went to high school with Darnell at Troup High School in Lagrange, Ga. for three years, and we both graduated in 1958. He and I weren't particularly close, but I always liked him. A very likeable guy. He was the first one out of our Senior class that we lost. May he rest in peace.

On April 26, 1969, WO1 Richard L. Turley was the pilot and SSG Alton D. Woodruff the observer in a U.S. Army light observation helicopter OH-6A (tail number 67-16640) from A Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 1st Aviation Brigade, on a reconnaissance mission over Phuoc Long Province, RVN. During the operation, their aircraft was hit by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade, causing it to crash and burn. Turley and Woodruff suffered fatal injuries in the incident. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vhpa.org]

Dear SSGT Alton Darnell Woodruff, 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