THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Nancy is especially poignant. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

On December 24, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A (tail number 69-16024) from C Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, was on a visual reconnaissance mission with four crew members in Binh Duong Province, RVN, when it experienced mechanical difficulties and crashed into trees. This visual recon mission consisted of a "White Team" (two OH-6A helicopters). Aircraft 024 had been down for maintenance for 10 days prior to the date of the accident. The aircraft was repaired and put up as mission ready. On the morning of December 24th, another scout pilot assigned to C Troop had flown Aircraft 024 and encountered maintenance issues. The pilot reported RPM bleeding off during hover when the helicopter was moved to the refueling pit. The aircraft was returned to the maintenance hangar where some adjustments were made. The helicopter was then released for flight. The next crew accepted the aircraft for the visual recon mission. After flying for almost two hours, pilot 1LT A.H. Harmon was descending from altitude when at 150 feet AGL (above ground level) the helicopter suffered mechanical problems before impacting the trees. 1LT Harmon did not make a mayday call to the other aircraft in the flight and reported having no idea what happened to his helicopter except that it crashed into trees. The aircraft fell and struck the ground in a tail-low attitude, then bounced and came to rest pointing in a northerly direction. Aircraft commander WO1 John G. Buchanan was fatally injured in the incident. Two other personnel aboard the helicopter were injured. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Dear WO John Buchanan,
Thank you for your service as an Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot with the 1st Cavalry. 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.

I Roy McDonald was their when he was killed. It was Christmas eve 1970. I will never forget him or the other brave men who where their. They all are great Americans.
God Bless Them All

Dear WO John Gary Buchanan, 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