THE WALL OF FACES

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

Sergeant William Lloyd Bunch, Served with Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 13 (H&MS-13), Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG-13), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

This is his boot camp photo from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Platoon 2040. He earned the title “U.S. Marine” on August 15, 1966.

Thank you for your service to our great country my brother. Semper Fi.

On December 28, 1969, a Douglas C-117D (#17284) from Marine Air Base Squadron 13 (MABS-13), Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG-13), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW), crashed into the side of a mountain approximately 10 miles southwest of Chu Lai while checking out a piece of Chu Lai Air Base navigation equipment. The aircraft was piloted by LTC Douglas L. Snead, the Squadron Commanding Officer, and CAPT Donald J. Berger, the squadron Flight Officer. SGT William L. Bunch was the crew chief and CPL Ronald F. Liscum of Marine Base Squadron-13 was the radio operator. Their flight was using new navigational gear and also topographical maps. They were flying in the clouds and attempting to calibrate altitude correctly using the topo map. However, it appeared that one of the elevation rings was not identified very clearly, and they were 100' lower than actual. They collided with the top of one of the peaks which killed all four on board instantly and spread the wreckage over about a 100-yard area across the mountaintop. SGT Bunch's body was the only one recovered intact as he was thrown clear of the main wreckage and died on impact. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and information provided by Paul Cavnar (December 2017)]

Dear Sgt William Bunch,
Thank you for your service as an Aircraft Power Platoon Mechanic. 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.