03 Mar 2007 REMEMBERED by his brother, Rev. Donald M. Pitches firstprescarlstadt@verizon.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 01 Sep 1969 an AC-47D "Spooky" gunship (tail number 43-49021) from the 4th Special Operations Squadron departed Bien Hoa Air Base on a night patrol. During the flight the aircraft was directed to support friendly troops whose position was under attack about 20 miles east of Bien Hoa. While on station the AC-47 was hit in the starboard wing and crashed, killing the eight crewmen: Capt Robert P. Acher, Greensburg, IN, pilot Capt James S. Pitches, Yonkers, NY, navigator (posthumous promotion to Major) 1stLt Roy C. Williams, Eagle Springs, NC, copilot (posthumous promotion to Captain) MSgt Harry H. Wecker, Harrisburg, PA, flight mechanic TSgt Willie W. Alley, Richlands, VA, gunner TSgt Lester M. Cavallin, Tacoma, WA, loadmaster TSgt Albert C. McBride, Leadville, CO, flight engineer SSgt Fred W. Smith, Savannah, GA, gunner 43-49021 was the last of 19 AC-47Ds lost during the war.

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