THE WALL OF FACES

I had lunch with your brother today. He sat down and talked for a while, thanked my friend and I for our service, and paid for our lunches. He brought up your name in conversation and talked a little about you. I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to find out who you were. The meeting I had with your brother has really touched me. Thank you for your service and know that you are not forgotten.

On May 4, 1969, a mid-air collision occurred involving two on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1Hs, tail numbers 67-19529 and 67-17818, both from B Company, 227th Aviation Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. The aircraft were on a short final to an LZ about 6 miles north-northwest of Bien Hoa when the accident took place. Aircraft 529 was crewed by commander 1LT James P. Flagella, pilot WO1 Milton W. Remmler Jr., crew chief SGT Don L. Ross, and gunner SGT Norman L. Plemmons. Helicopter 818 contained aircraft commander WO1 Michael E. LeMaster, pilot 1LT William D. Britton, crew chief SGT Robert L. Thomas, and gunner SGT Billy R. Stubbs. The two aircraft had departed Di An about the same time and joined into formation. At the time of impact, the board of inquiry determined that 818 was leading and 529 was flying right echelon. Helicopter 529 called 818 and said that they were going to pass them. As 529 attempted to pass on the right, 818's main rotor blade contacted 529's mast. The force of this contact and a possible sudden stoppage of 529's main rotor caused 529's transmission to be ripped out towards the front. Severe vibrations, including mast bumping, separated 529's main rotor blade from the transmission. About the time of impact, one tip of 529's main rotor blade struck 818's main rotor hub. After initial impact, the main rotor blade of 818 continued on to knock the left pilot's door of 529 loose and decapitated the pilot of 818. After the main rotor and transmission separated from 529, it crashed and burned killing all on board. After the initial midair contact, one blade of 818's main rotor blade lost a sizeable piece of honeycomb. This created an out of balance condition which added to the severe vibration that followed. The vibration caused loss of control and the aircraft started to shake itself apart. The tail boom separated from the fuselage, the mast bumping caused the main rotor to come off the mast. Helicopter 818 then crashed and burned, killing all four crew members. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Dear 1LT William David Britton, 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

Rest my brother in Peace. Thank you and your familyGod Bless

William is buried at Chapel Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Millry,AL. BSM AM