THE WALL OF FACES

Miss you Danny. I treasure our childhood experiences, but I know you went out like a man. RIP my friend. Thank you for your service.

Dear Sergeant Brooker,
Thank you for your service as a Flight Qualified Huey, UH-1 Helicopter Repairer. It is now summer, and it is important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear SGT Daniel Scanlon Brooker, 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

On the morning of 15 November 1971 the crews of the two aircraft, 66-00995 and 69-15378, were posted to fly Chalk 5 and 6 respectively in a formation containing 8 UH-1H aircraft. At approximately 0655 hours the command and control aircraft departed Di An enroute to the day's mission near Thien Ngon, RVN. On or about 0710, the eight ship flight with gun escort departed Di An and proceeded to Tay Ninh west RVN to put on fuel before proceeding with the mission. WO1 Puff and WO1 Bennett were Chalks 5 and 6 respectively in the eight ship formation, and remained so all day according to witnesses. During the flight witnesses state that the formation was having trouble getting and maintaining proper spacing and position. The trail ship, piloted by WO1 Coster, made several calls to Chalks 5 and 6 telling them to move forward and get the proper spacing. WO1 Coster also states that Chalk 6 had a tendency to flare during turns. Upon reaching Tay Ninh west at 0945, the flight landed and refueled. After refueling the flight departed Tay Ninh west at approximately 0800 and proceeded along highway QL-22 toward Thien Ngon. The positions in the flight remained the same. Just prior to reaching Thien Ngon, the flight was diverted east to XT 172767 by the command and control ship. This would be the pick-up zone. On final to the PZ, Chalk 7 left the flight due to the illumination of his engine chip detector light, and proceeded to Thien Ngon to check the system. This left seven aircraft in the formation, but did not change the relative position of any ship except the trail which moved from Chalk 8 to Chalk 7. At 0830 the flight proceeded with the troop pick up. When the ships were loaded in the PZ, they proceeded to the landing zone at XT 042765, which is west of Thien Ngon. The LZ was full suppression, with artillery and gunship preparatory strikes. The flight landed in the LZ at approximately 0855. The aircraft commander of trail ship states that Chalk 6 put in such an exaggerated flare that he had to break out of the formation and land to the right of the flight. The trail pilot also states that the winds were rough and it was difficult to hold formation at this point. The flight departed the LZ enroute back to the PZ. The pilot of the lead ship was informed that there were only enough troops in the PZ to warrant the use of four ships. Lead aircraft commander then told Chalks 5, 6, and 7 to break off and proceed to Tay Ninh west, refuel, shut down, and wait on the rest of the flight to return. At this point Chalk 7 asked permission to break off and go the aid of the ship down at Thien Ngon. Chalk 7 wanted to take some oil that he had on board to the downed ship. Permission was granted by C&C and Chalk 7 broke off, leaving Chalk 5 and 6 in a staggered trail right to proceed on to Tay Ninh west. Chalk 5 and 6 proceeded south over OL-22, flying a very close staggered trail right formation. The flight proceeded without incident to a point south of Trai Bi. At this time, approximately 0930, the two aircraft meshed rotor blades, and the crash sequence began. The lead ship immediately fell from the sight of the wing ship. The wing ship went into a violent nose down position and began a right spiral. The pedals were of no use, so the throttle was rolled off and the spiral slowed. The pilot finally managed to bring the nose up and pitch was pulled at approximately 50 ft. Aircraft 378 impacted the ground at an estimated 500-1000 fpm. The lead aircraft, after making contact with the rotor blades of the wing aircraft, lost its rotor system and began a free fall descent to the ground. It is estimated that the aircraft attained terminal velocity before impact. Aircraft 995 exploded upon impact with the ground and all crew members were killed from the impact. The lost personnel included pilots WO1 Thomas J. Puff and WO1 Vincent P. Martin Jr., crew chief SP4 Daniel S. Brooker, and gunner SP4 John A. Charnoplosky. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Frye – 1932