THE WALL OF FACES

I graduated in 1965 as did Randy Gustfson. I was a good friend of Randyl's I will never forget what the two of you gave for our freedom. I was lucky as I made it home in 1967.

I remember you from Southwestern Central High School class of 1967. I was in country with the Big Red One when you were killed. I did not know exactly what had happened to you until I saw this posting. I did not know that it was your first day.

On February 24, 1969, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D (tail number 63-12999) from the 176th Assault Helicopter Company, 14th Combat Aviation Battalion was operating in the Quang Tin Province (I Corps) when it was shot down by enemy forces. The aircraft came under .51 caliber fire and lost the main rotor at 2000 feet while on a division artillery resupply "milk run." The helicopter crashed, killing all crewmen aboard. Those included the aircraft commander WO1 Angus W. McAllister Jr., pilot WO1 Merle F. Butler, crew chief SP5 Richard W. Ford, and gunner SP4 Jon Bailey. The mission was WO1 Butler’s first in-country. [Taken from vhpa.org]

WE KNEW EACH OTHER AS BOYS , WE FOLLOWED YOU IN SERVICE TO OUR BELOVED U.S.A.

ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US FROM '67 SWCS THAT SERVED ALONG WITH YOU - BURNS , KNICKERBOCKER, OLSON , CURRY , AND HENRY THANK YOU - YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN .

Merle is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Sect 8 site 5516-C