THE WALL OF FACES

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.

Dear Tsgt Lester Cavallin,
Thank you for your service. I do not know your MOS, only that you were a flight crewman. It is so 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.

I never got the chance to meet you. Your brother is my grandfather, and we are all very proud of you. Wish I could of met you but I understand the sacrifice of duty, and honor. Rest in peace great uncle.

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 TSGT Lester Melvin Cavallin, 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, Sir

Curt Carter