THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your sister Rebecca is moving and reflects her enduring love for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Dear Sgt Salvador Zabala, Thank you for your service as a Clerk-Typist. I researched you on the 56th anniversary of your identification, glad you were found. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Lent. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

We met at Ft Bragg were the only two who spoke Spanish we had the same MOS and work together we are both catholic and went to mass sometimes everyday Prior to shipping to Viet Nam a group went on a retreat to the Monastery of The Holy Ghost at Conyers Georgia We shipped together and had the same dedos date. Because of my civilian background there was a need of my service to go form 37th Signal Bn in I Corp. This made Salvador the main operator at 21st Signal Gp When he decide to become a door gunner I was upset I left for him to be safe. Esta ahora con nuestro Salvador Jesús Te extraño todos los días de mi vida mi hermano de Panama

SP4 Salvador Zabala Jr. was a clerk-typist serving with Aviation Detachment, Headquarters & Headquarters Detachment (HHD), 21st Signal Group, 1st Signal Brigade. SP4 Zabala had a "safe" clerical job at Headquarters, yet in January 1967 he volunteered to become a door gunner in the expanding 21st Signal Group's Aviation Detachment. Unfortunately, within 30 days he lost his life in a helicopter accident on Pri Line Mountain in the Central Highlands in Tuyen Duc Province, RVN. On February 22, 1967, the aircraft, a U.S. Army UH-1B helicopter (tail number 64-13999), suffered an engine failure and crashed after takeoff. Three other crewmen and two passengers survived with injuries. Reportedly, the helicopter was providing convoy cover. The aircraft was a total loss. The cause of the crash was unknown, but a field maintenance error was suspected when a hot end inspection of engine utility systems was performed. Zavala was posthumously promoted to Sergeant. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vhpa.org, and information provided by Bill Comrey (June 2005) at thewall-usa.com]

Boy, you were a neighbor and a friend. Such a beautiful smile and sparkling eyes. You will always be remembered that way! Your friend, Janis Steinmetz