THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from you pen pal Phyllis Soutar are touching. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

On March 10, 1970, a U.S. Marine Corps CH-46D helicopter (#153987) from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164 (HMM 164) suffered a rotor failure shortly after takeoff and crashed, resulting in the deaths of four Marine passengers. The aircraft was on a routine resupply mission. The helicopter lifted off from Camp Perdue (Hill 327) in Quang Nam Province, RVN, with an external net load and started traveling forward when its main rotors began to come apart. The aircraft crashed outside of the perimeter of the camp, a couple hundred yards from the helipad. A fire quickly erupted which caused ammunition and explosives to begin cooking off. The crew were able to escape the flaming wreckage, however, four passengers aboard perished in the inferno. They were PFC Theodore L. Cadenhead, SGT Larry W. Duke, LCPL Larry A. Struss, and PFC Marcelino Vargas Jr. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and popasmoke.com]

Dear PFC Theodore Cadenhead,
Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. I am also from Dutchess County. sigh. As another summer comes to an end, 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.

I will always remember you Jerry as a sweet kind man. I didn't get to meet you but you were my pen pal in high school. I still have a photo of you that you sent me. I went to DC to see your name so proudly on The Vietnam Memorial. You will forever have a place in my heart.

Semper Fi, Marine.