THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor Donald.

Dear PO2C Donald Burnside,
Thank you for your service as a Structural Mechanic (Safety Equipment) 2nd Class. Your 74th birthday was yesterday. Happy 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.

Petty Officer Second Class Donald Wayne Burnside, Served with Patrol Squadron 26 (VP-26), Task Force 72 (TF-72), 7th Fleet.

On April 1, 1968, a U.S. Navy P-3B Orion (#153445) was on a routine coastal surveillance patrol as part of Operation Market Time, the Navy's effort to stop troops and supplies from flowing by sea from North Vietnam to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The aircraft, operating out of U Tapao, Thailand, received a requested assistance in establishing visual reconnaissance of a large Cambodian landing support ship (LSSL) that was reported to be off-loading cargo to sampans near the Cambodian Island of Hon Doc in the Gulf of Thailand. The Orion responded to the request and moments later reported to the Coastal Surveillance Center at An Thoi that it had received hostile fire from a .50 caliber antiaircraft gun. The P-3B was hit in the starboard wing, knocking out the #4 engine and starting a fire. All attempts to extinguish the flames were unsuccessful. Flying too low to bail out, the crew had to choose between ditching in hostile waters or attempt to make an emergency landing at Phu Quoc airfield less than 20 miles away. Within sight of the runway, and their wing still aflame, the crew prepared to land their stricken aircraft. As the plane banked left onto its final approach, the starboard wing tore off between #3 and #4 engine, and the P-3B tumbled into the sea with no survivors. The lost crew included LTJG Frank E. Hand III, LTJG Stuart M. McLellan, LTJG Brian J. Mathison, LTJG Michael J. Purcell, AME2 Donald W. Burnside, AT1 Kenneth L. Crist, AO2 William S. Cutting, AXC Donald E. Kulacz, AX3 Delmar L. Lawrence, AE1 Donald F. Wood, ADJ2 Edward O. Wynder, and AX1 Alvin G. Yoximer. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and public.navy.mil]