THE WALL OF FACES

On October 24, 1972, the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVA-41) was conducting flight operations in the Gulf of Tonkin. At 7:50 PM, a U.S. Navy Grumman A-6A Intruder from Attack Squadron 115 (VA-115) was returning to the Midway following a single-plane “seeding mission” in North Vietnam. As the Intruder landed aboard the carrier, a landing gear failure caused the aircraft to swerve sharply right into Navy personnel and other aircraft parked on the bow flight deck. The wayward aircraft came to a rest among the parked airplanes and burst into flames. There were mass casualties as a result of the crash. Fatally injured in the incident were AO2 Clayton M. Blankenship, AMSAN Daniel P. Cherry, AN Robert W. Haakenson Jr., and AA Robert A. Yankoski. LTJG Michael S. Bixel, the bombardier/navigator aboard the Intruder, either ejected himself or his seat fired during the crash landing, sending him over the side of the ship. An immediate air and surface search was started with three vessels and one helicopter to recover LTJG Bixel. No distress signals were heard, nor was he sighted at any time during the search. It was believed that Bixel did not pull free from his ejection seat and went down with the seat since no survival equipment (flotation gear, strobe light, pyrotechnic flares, or signal pistol) were detected. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Daniel is buried at Belmont Memorial Park, Fresno,CA.

To your family and friends, your still always on my mind. Engraved forever the sacrifice you made that changed so many lives! You were a bunk mate who snored every night lol and of course we in our small bunk areas would get up and roll you over for a peaceful night. I pray you have found comfort in the presence of the Lord. Every Memorial day As an Usher for the Angels baseball team I salute you during the National Anthem in respect for you and your family and all those young men and women who served and lost their lives! God bless and rest in peace my brother

Dear AN Daniel Parks Cherry, 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

You gave your life for your country and for this we Salute You.