THE WALL OF FACES

Technical Sergeant Willie Warnie Alley, Served with the 14th Special Operations Squadron, 14th Special Operations Wing, 7th Air Force.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

On September 1, 1969, while on a night patrol, a "Spooky" AC-47D (#43-49021) gunship from 4th Special Operations Squadron, 14th Special Operations Wing, 7th Air Force, out of Bien Hoa Air Base was directed to assist friendly troops who were under attack from enemy forces about 20 miles east of Bien Hoa. The gunship arrived at the scene and rendered support by flares and from its three 7.62 mini-guns firing down on the enemy. While engaging the enemy in the target area, their gunship was struck along the starboard side by enemy fire. They crashed into a mountain in Long Khanh Province while attempting recovery at Bien Hoa Air Base, RVN. There were no survivors. The lost crewmen included pilot CAPT Robert P. Acher, navigator CAPT James S. Pitches, co-pilot 1LT Roy C. Williams Jr., flight engineers MSGT Harry H. Wecker and TSGT Albert C. McBride, gunners TSGT Willie W. Alley and SSGT Fred W. Smith, and loadmaster TSGT Lester M. Cavallin. This was the last AC-47 USAF Spooky gunship lost in South East Asia during the war. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and ac47-gunships.com]

DEAR TECHNICAL SERGEANT ALLEY,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I DO NOT KNOW YOUR MOS, BUT YOU ARE APPRECIATED.
REST IN PEACE.