THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever....

On October 23, 1969, UH-1H helicopter (tail number 68-16274) from the 158th Aviation Battalion flying out of Camp Evans was involved in accident in which six persons on the ground were killed. The incident occurred in Quang Tri Province, RVN, at a landing zone (LZ) that had been cut by engineers into a wooded area on ground that had an approximate 10% incline. The mission was a combat assault to insert 180 soldiers from A Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne. The aircraft involved in the accident was the lead in a flight of six helicopters. The initial lift into the LZ went off without incident. The accident occurred on the third time dropping off infantrymen. The LZ was small and had several large tree stumps, some about three feet high. Six men exited the aircraft on the right, the other four men exited on the left, and all moved about thirty feet away from the helicopter. Before leaving the LZ, the aircraft commander (AC) lifted off to a stabilized two-foot hover and did a takeoff check. The gunner and crew chief responded with a "clear right" and "clear left." Maximum power would be needed to prevent hitting the stumps in front of the aircraft. All gauges looked fine, and power was applied. Unbeknownst to the AC, a stump on the right side was protruding at about a 60-degree angle. The landing skid had slid under it but did not make contact (which would have triggered an instrument signal). As the aircraft rose, the skid caught causing the helicopter to roll and topple hard to the right. The main rotor impacted the ground and six soldiers nearby were killed; four others were injured. The four crew members survived, with only the door gunner receiving a lacerated leg. There were no injuries to the soldiers which had exited on the left. The aircraft was destroyed but did not burn. The lost personnel included PFC Jose L. Borrero-Sanchez, SP4 Larry M. Cleveland, SP4 Manuel G. Martinez, 2LT Kerry B. Love, PFC Dennis N. Hudson, and PFC Dennis M. Clark. Borrero-Sanchez, Clark, and Hudson were posthumously promoted to Corporal. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and virtualwall.org]

Dear Sp4 Larry Cleveland,
Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. December is here, along with all the preparations. 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.

Dear SP4 Larry Michael Cleveland, 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

I barely knew you, but have never forgotten you. May we never forget - Requiescat in pace, Larry Michael Cleveland (B 1947 - KIA 1969).