THE WALL OF FACES

“Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Dear Cap Richard Yeend, Thank you for your service as a Tactical Aircraft Pilot. Glad you were identified in 2003. I researched you on the 20th anniversary of your repatriation. Welcome Home. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Lent has begun. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On June 9, 1968, a rescue mission was launched from Da Nang Air Base by the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 7th Air Force, in response to a report that a Marine Corps A-4E Skyhawk (#151080) from Marine Attack Squadron 121 (VMA-121) went down and the pilot, LT Walter R. Schmidt Jr., was hung up in a tree in an area 27 miles southeast of Khe Sanh in Quang Tri Province, RVN. The crew left Da Nang at 10:50 AM in a HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopter, call sign Jolly Green 23, and included U.S. Coast Guard pilot LT Jack C. Rittichier (attached to the 37th ARRS), co-pilot CAPT Richard C. Yeend Jr., flight engineer SSGT Elmer L. Holden, and rescue specialist SGT James D. Locker. Jolly Green 23 arrived on scene after other unsuccessful pick-up attempts were made of the stranded flier who was situated in the bushes next to his chute, reportedly injured and unable to move. Fighter support aircraft put down suppression fire on suspected enemy positions around the downed flier, and at 12:35 PM, Jolly Green 23 transmitted that they were going to make a recovery attempt. The helicopter went into a hover over the Skyhawk pilot and turned to face the west. The pararescue man was being lowered on a wire when Rittichier stated he was taking fire. Jolly Green 23 was advised flames were seen coming out of the left side near the engine. Rittichier started pulling out and was directed to a clearing 1000 meters north where he could set down. As Jolly Green 23 moved towards the open area, he was informed that the fire appeared to be out. Rittichier reached the clearing and said he was going to set it down. He was in a descent but still above the height of the trees along the edge of the clearing when the main rotor stopped turning. The Jolly Green dropped to the ground and burst into flames. Fire consumed the aircraft, reducing it to ashes. There were no survivors. Because of the tactical situation on the ground, no recovery of the Jolly Green 23 crew could be made. The mission was suspended at dusk, and Schmidt was not recovered. He was never seen again. In 2003, an excavation of the crash site was conducted, and the remains of the crewmen were returned to the U.S. Schmidt remains missing. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Robert C. Dubois (February 2002) at www.cc.gatech.edu]

Dear Captain Richard C Yeend Jr, 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

Remembering you on this Memorial Day. Thank you.