THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

On April 1, 1969, a CH-46D helicopter (#154814) from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 263 (HMH-263) was attempting to insert a 1st Force Reconnaissance Team, call sign Ring Broom, in a region known as Antenna Valley, south of An Hoa Combat Base in Quang Nam Province, RVN, when the aircraft crashed due to possible metal fatigue and rotor failure. The planned insertion was the mountain ridge that formed the east wall of the valley. When the mechanical issues suddenly manifested, one of the pilots was overheard to say, “I can’t hold it.” They were approximately 2000 feet above ground when the aircraft lurched violently, went nose down to the left, leveled briefly, then nose down left again. Impact followed shortly thereafter. The aircraft went down in an open rice paddy area which had less than a foot of water in it. The force of the crash split open the length of the right side of the ship, and essentially broke off the tail section. There was no post-crash fire, however, fuel from the aircraft was floating on the water. The Ring Broom team leader got to aircraft commander MAJ Leroy I. Blankenship rather quickly. He was still strapped in his seat, nearly fully exposed, with shattered canopy around him. He was checking MAJ Blankenship’s carotid artery for pulse when he passed. The co-pilot, 1LT Frank J. Carroll, was dead, his body completely inaccessible, covered by wreckage and submerged in the rice paddy. The three other crewmen and the recon team all survived with injuries. Enemy fire on the ground was light and sporadic. It was suppressed by a recon team member with a broken leg, then silenced by Marine Air. A chase helicopter with a second Recon team did not land or approach. Another helicopter landed shortly after, and the wounded Marines self-evacuated. An additional aircraft then brought in the second recon team to lift the wreckage and recover the pilots. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, popasmoke.com, and information provided by James Ritchie (November 2017)]

Dear Lt Frank Carroll,
Thank you for your service as a HMH/M/L/A (I) Helicopter Pilot. It is Columbus Day weekend, and we remember those of you who served. 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 strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear 1LT Frank Jerome Carroll, 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

Semper Fi, Sir.