THE WALL OF FACES

Never forget.

HOOAH

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Nathan Lutzka is touching. It remains my fervent hope you will be returned home after all these years....

Always remembered, God Bless

At 1900 hours on June 11, 1967, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D (tail number 63-12958), call sign Bamboo Viper 47, from Company B, 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion, departed Landing Zone Uplift at Qui Nhon Airfield in the southern coastal region of Binh Dinh Province, RVN. The personnel included aircraft commander CW2 Dean E. Clinton, pilot CW3 Thomas F. Riggs, crew chief SSGT James R. Nelson, gunner SSGT Ralph E. Uhlmansiek, and passenger CW3 Quentin R. Beecher. The crew and passenger were on an operations mission in the province. While enroute, bad weather was encountered, and the pilot requested assistance in determining his position. Efforts by Tuy Hoa and Qui Nhon airfields, and airborne search and rescue control aircraft failed to locate the aircraft to guide it to the airfield. At 2057 hours, the pilot reported that he was out of fuel, and was willing to make a water landing. Search and rescue efforts started immediately, and continued until June 13th, but was unsuccessful in locating either the helicopter or its crew and passenger. It was determined that the aircraft went down in the South China Sea, approximately 18 miles nautical miles from the coast. The helicopter had no over-water survival gear. A UH-1 can float for approximately 60 seconds, depending on sea conditions. Weather conditions were adverse at the time, with heavy cloud cover and thunderstorms. All were declared Missing in Action, Category 5 (which indicates that it is not felt that remains can be recovered). [Taken from pownetwork.org, vhpa.org, and coffeltdatabase.org]

Dear CWO Dean Clinton,
Thank you for your service as an Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot in the 1st Cavalry. You are still MIA.
PLEASE COME HOME.
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. Be at peace with the angels.