THE WALL OF FACES

On June 2, 1965, an EA-1F "Spad" electronics aircraft launched from the USS Midway for assistance in a search and rescue mission over North Vietnam. The crew of the Spad was pilot LTJG M.D. McMican, navigation officer LTJG Gerald M. Romano, electronic countermeasures operator Petty Officer Third Class William H. Amspacher Jr., and ATN3 Thomas L. Plants. While circling the scene of an [unnamed] A-4E pilot's ejection over the South China Sea, the Spad was hit by enemy fire and was observed to crash land and burn on the nearby coast. While still over the water, a crewmember was seen to bail out, but his parachute did not open, and he fell into the sea. A week later, the body drifted ashore, according to an intelligence report. This body was not recovered by U.S. forces at that time. [NOTE: The loss location given by Defense Department is not over the South China Sea, but some five miles inland, in Nghe An Province, near the city of Sam Son. At best, if the loss occurred over water, it occurred in the Gulf of Tonkin.] The crew of the Spad was placed into the category Killed in Action/Body Not Recovered. It was assumed the three perished in the crash of the plane and the fourth (unspecified in the report) perished just prior to the crash in his unsuccessful ejection attempt. In July 1988, the Vietnamese returned remains they stated were those of 25 American servicemen. Three of the remains were positively identified as being those of Amspacher, McMican and Romano. Plants' remains were not recovered. [Taken from pownetwork.org]

Dear ATR3 William Harry Amspacher Jr, 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

William is buried at OAkwood Memorial Park, Chatsworth, Los Angles County,CA.

A portion of Sepulveda Boulevard/State Highway Route 1 in El Segundo near Los Angeles International Airport has been dedicated to the residents of Los Angeles County who served in Vietnam. This section of highway is now designated the Los Angeles County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. Adopted by the California State Legislature in 2000, the highway honors the more than 350,000 California veterans who served in the Vietnam War, including the 5,822 killed or missing in action. Los Angeles County has the largest number of Vietnam veterans in California and 1,857 of its residents were killed or missing in action during that war. This memorial corridor provides a fitting and proper way for the residents of Los Angeles County to express their gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices these Vietnam veterans have made for their country.

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.

Mary Frye – 1932