THE WALL OF FACES

On February 18, 1968, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D (tail number 64-13845) from A Company, 123rd Aviation Battalion, 23rd Infantry Division, was shot down by automatic weapons fire while climbing out of a pick-up zone while on a combat assault. The aircraft crashed and burned. There were no survivors. The lost crewmen included pilots WO1 Jeffrey R. Byrne and WO1 Noel D. Williams, crew chief SP4 David W. Heck, and gunner PFC Brian W. Bates. Four passengers from C Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry were also lost. They were PFC Tommie Brandon, PFC Darrell L. Cabell, SP4 Rhondal G. Claypool, and SGT James G. Standefer. The lost UH-1 aircraft was participating in the combat assault of Charlie Company from their operating location to the north of LZ Hardcore (Hill 148), located near Alpha Company in the vicinity of Minibase Fox. When hit, the aircraft was gaining altitude after leaving the pick-up zone. It was believed the pilot was wounded or killed; the aircraft lost altitude rapidly and went out of control, crashed and burned. All the crew and troops aboard were killed. The helicopter was a total loss. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vhpa.org, and veteransmemorial.us]

Dear PFC Darrell Lee Cabell, 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

Darrell is buried at Cabell cemetery in Foster, WV.

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

I go to GHS in Gridley, IL and I am completing this remembrance as part of the Gridley High School Posting Project. Freedom never comes without a cost. Your faithfulness and bravery were amazing! Your sacrifice will always be appreciated and remembered! Thank you!