THE WALL OF FACES

I have LCpl Byars' bracelet that I wore faithfully for a few years. It was then put away for many years after his accounting. If anyone knows where to send it or who would like it, contact me. It was an honor to wear it. I am thankful for his service and sacrifice.

Dear Lcpl Earnest Byars,
Thank you for your service as an Aircraft CNE/Weapon/DECM System Technician. I was glad to read you were identified in 1993.
Welcome Home.
As we celebrate Labor Day, and enjoy our freedom, 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.

Semper Fidelis and a belated welcome home.

Dear LCPL Earnest Ray Byars, 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

On 30 July 1967, I launched on a 2-plane mission to relieve a battalion of some of their dead troopers that they were bringing back after an operation in the DMZ. The pickup zone was located west-northwest of Quang Tri in what was known as the Three Sisters area. The zone was a small clearing with a trail going north and south to the west side of the one-plane zone. The area was hilly with thick scrub growth that made it hard to see for any distance. The battalion appeared to have had a tough time and the troopers walking south on the trail looked bushed. The tanks supporting them were burdened with body bags and the battalion was having to fight their way south. Our mission was to relieve the battalion of the body bags and any wounded and deliver then to Quang Tri. We launched from Quang Tri and CAPT David A. Frederick and 1LT Craig H. Waterman manned the other CH-46 with LCPL Robert L. Biscailuz and LCPL Earnest R. Byars as crew. We had two Huey gunships along as support. The weather was hot and humid and mostly clear. We had contact with the battalion on our FM radios and they reported sporadic fire over the last half hour in the area. The Hueys made parallel runs into the LZ as I made my first approach from east to west with CAPT Frederick orbiting at 3,000 feet. After I was loaded and departed the LZ, CAPT Frederick made his approach with the Hueys providing covering fire. We joined up and departed for Quang Tri and off-loaded the body bags and returned immediately to the LZ. On the second approach we received light fire on our approach and departure from the zone. The battalion was very efficient and the loading was accomplished at a rapid pace. On the third trip into the zone the fire increased and as I left the zone one of the Huey pilots reported that the second aircraft had gone in. As I made a left turn, I looked back and saw a large fire on the top of a small knoll about a half mile east of the zone. The Huey leader reported that the aircraft had started to descend and had not pulled out of his decent. I reported this to Quang Tri and the battalion and headed to Quang Tri to unload and return to the zone. Both Hueys remained at the landing zone and I was told later that the battalion had sent a team to the crash site. They had to fight their way there and back but had retrieved the dog tags of the crew when the crash had cooled down. I made one or two more trips into the zone until I had all the body bags and we left the site and returned to base. My log book shows a 4.3 hour flight in BuNo 152536. The HMM-164 command chronology for 30 July 1967 does not contain any details. It states: 'Two aircraft were launched on medical evacuation missions. While on approach to the pick-up zone, one aircraft, BuNo 151945, was observed to go out of control and crash, killing all four crew-members. There were no passengers aboard. The aircraft was not recovered.' (Submitted by Ed Langley, HMM-164, Section Leader) [Taken from pownetwork.org]