THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. While all deaths in Vietnam are tragic that you died one day after your 25th birthday is especially so. May you rest in eternal eace.

On June 23, 1969, a U.S. Air Force Lockheed Hercules C-130B (#61-0965) transport aircraft from the 733rd Tactical Airlift Squadron was carrying a cargo load of 360 rounds of 105mm shells for delivery to a Special Forces camp near the Cambodian border when it was shot down by enemy ground fire. The flight, which originated out of Cam Ranh Bay, was hit while attempting to make an air drop at the camp at Katum in Tay Ninh Province, RVN. A helicopter in the area reported one engine of the C-130 was seen afire before it crashed and burned. The entire crew of six was lost. They included aircraft commander CAPT Gary E. Brunner, co-pilot 1LT Terry M. Reed, navigator MAJ William H. Condit Jr., 2nd navigator LTC Jean A. Kearby, flight engineer SSGT Billy W. McDonald, and loadmaster SSGT George C. Peters. The helicopter attempted to land but was driven back by the heat and explosions of the burning plane and hostile ground fire. On his second attempt to approach the wreckage, the helicopter was shot down. A second helicopter attempted to land near the wreckage, but it was also shot down. The Hercules crew’s remains were not recovered until November 29, 1994, and positively identified on July 9, 1998. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, findagrave.com, and condit-family.com]

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. You will never be forgotten. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call.

Captain Gary Edward Brunner, Served with the 773rd Tactical Airlift Squadron, 463rd Tactical Airlift Wing, 7th Air Force.

Dear Captain Gary Brunner,
Thank you for your service as a Tactical Aircraft Pilot (Various.) I am so sorry you passed the day after your birthday. 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.