THE WALL OF FACES

Dear PFC Roger Collette,
Thank you for your service as an Airborne Qualified Infantryman. 2017 almost gone, and it is the 6th Day of Christmas. 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.

On May 4, 1966, a U.S. Army helicopter CH-47A (tail number 64-13138) from the 147th Assault Support Helicopter Company ("Hill Climbers") crashed during a combat mission 13 nautical miles northwest of Nhon Co while deploying to a forward base. The passengers were from 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry of the 101st Infantry Division. One of the passengers was the 1st Brigade’s Roman Catholic chaplain, Major William J. Barragy. Eyewitnesses agreed for the most part that there were flames coming from the rear of the aircraft and it seemed to have no forward airspeed and was spinning and falling straight down. The technical report suggested that the combining transmission failure, excessive heat, and fire causing the #2 drive shaft to separate. The resulting fire may have been ingested into the remaining engine causing a loss of power, SAS (Stability Augmentation System), and aircraft electrical systems. There is evidence that the pilot attempted to flare the helicopter prior to impact to no avail, the aircraft crashing on its left side and was consumed by fire. There were no survivors. The crew included aircraft commander CW3 George A. Clark, pilot CW3 John A. Eddy, flight engineer SP6 Edgar S. Doliber, crew chief SP5 Aaron B. Aumiller, and gunner SP4 Fairley W. Mills. The passengers were MAJ William J. Barragy, PFC Roger L. Berg, SSGT John A. Brown, PFC Robert L. Clark, PFC Roger C. Collette, SP4 John F. Concannon, MSGT J. D. Harrell, SSGT Gene Hawthorne, PFC Malakia Jackson Jr., PFC Michael Simpson, PFC Joseph J. Swayze, PFC Robert E. Thompson, SP4 Earnest A. Tucker Jr., FSGT Harden B. Walker, and SP4 Howard D. Weiss. [Taken from vhpa.org and armyaircrews.com]

Dear PFC Roger Charles Collette, 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

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you , one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam :

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-laden bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your 2/502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne STRIKE FORCE Nam-Band-Of-Brothers