THE WALL OF FACES

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.

Ensign John Wesley Coghill, Served with Fleet Composite Squadron 5 (VC-5), United States Naval Air Force Pacific (USNAVAIRPAC).

At 4:05 PM on May 13, 1967, a U.S. Navy Grumman US-2C (#133365) Tracker anti-submarine warfare aircraft belonging to Fleet Composite Squadron Five (VC-5) suffered an engine fire while in flight along the South Vietnamese coastline. The crew informed ground that an engine had caught fire. Subsequently, control was lost and the airplane crashed into the sea four miles east of An Thoi Airfield on Phu Quoc Island. Thirty minutes later, a U.S. Navy Swift boat, PCF 93, arrived on the scene and picked up the sole survivor. Two others were lost in the crash. Those killed were pilot LCDR Robert E. Robinson and copilot ENS John W. Coghill. Their bodies and most of the wreckage were recovered during ensuing salvage operations. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, swiftboats.net, and baaa-acro.com]

Dear Ens John Coghill,
Thank you for your service as an Unrestricted Lone Officer (Pilot.) December is here, along with all the preparations. It is Christmas Eve. 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 ENS John Wesley Coghill, 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