1 Dec 2004 James G. Standefer was born in Stanton, Texas and grew up in Colorado City, Texas, a community west of Sweetwater, Texas on I.S. 20. The community is oilfield and agriculture (cotton farming). James attended Colorado City Schools and was a 1966 graduate of Colorado City High School. He joined the Army shortly thereafter and he loved the Army. He was an excellent shot and preferred to carry the M-14 as his weapon of choice in Vietnam. He loved walking point and enjoyed the excitement of combat and being in the field. He was cited with two ARCOM's with "V" devices for his exploits in the field. He once stopped a sniper who had shot up his platoon by working his way around a ravine and in behind him. The sniper, who was shooting out of a hut on the side of the hill had the whole platoon pinned down. Another time, he stopped a V.C. ambush while on point as he spotted the signs and alerted everyone and scouted it out himself. During TET his company was involved in heavy combat. On a combat assault, Sgt Standefer was killed in a helicopter that was shot down, as it was coming into a hot landing zone. He was buried with full military honors in his home town of Colorado City, Texas. He is remembered by his hometown, and by the Permian Basin Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Midland, Texas. Placed by a PBVVM representative, Billy M. Brown bmbrown@grandecom

 

4 Dec 2004 This is Glenn's high school picture, my favorite. He was my hero, my brother, a son, a father and loved and missed. Today he has a son and three grandchildren that really miss him. He loved to fish and hunt. He was very good looking and popular, to this day he is still beautiful to me and lots of others. From his sister, Kathy Standefer Benson kathy_krazy@yahoo.com

 

16 Feb 2005 James Glen Standefer was my uncle. Joined with my Aunt Joanne, and father of my cousin James Britt Standefer. At the time of his heroic death, I was only 6 years old. Today as a mature woman of 42 years, I am honored to get the chance to post a line or two to this memorial. His funeral was probably the first one I ever attended, at least the first one I remember. I was in awe even then at the glory of a military service. To this day, I am taken aback whenever I am honored, yet dreadfully attend the service of a taken soldier. I never knew my uncle on a personal level, yet even today I would like to thank him for laying his life down to protect the honor and sovereignty of this great nation. I now know as a mother of two American sons what a great sacrifice he made for us all. I also know what a great sacrifice it has been for his son Britt, and his family, for him to have grown up never knowing this great man. To all who serve the USA, THANK YOU for your service to our country, and the dedication that keeps us all free. GOD BLESS AMERICA. From a niece, Malinda Wallace Campbell malinda777@charter.net

 

20 Mar 2007 Uncle Glenn was the only paternal uncle I ever had and never knew. However, I grew up in his shadow none the less. He was an integral part of so many peoples' lives and is remembered fondly, to this day, as an American Hero. I have had long talks about Glenn with my Father, have researched all that I can about him online, through those that knew him, and those that wish they had. I have never walked away from these conversations with anything less than another reason to say that he was an honorable man. I agree with my sister, Malinda, in that he does have a son, Britt, and grandchildren who miss him dearly. Britt, if you are reading this... we love you, too. From a nephew, James Pasco Wallace sonnyfoxx@hotmail.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Until 07 Aug 2007 all that was known of this incident was that it killed eight men: Aircrew from A Co, 123rd Avn Bn: WO Jeffrey R. Byrne, Piscataway, NJ, pilot WO Noel D. Williams, Nicoma Park, OK, pilot SGT David W. Heck, Littleton, CO, crew chief PFC Brian W. Bates, Phoenix, AZ, gunner Passengers from C Company, 1/14th Infantry: SGT James G. Standefer, Colorado City, TX SP4 Rhondal G. Claypool, Martinsville, IL PFC Tommie Brandon, Detroit, MI PFC Darrell L. Cabell, Foster, WV On 07 Aug a The Virtual Wall staff member found two references to the incident in the 1st Bn, 14th Infantry's After Action Report for the period 03-28 Feb 1968. The body of the AAR contains the following entry: "On the following day, 18 February, Charlie Company assaulted into a landing zone protected by A Company and Fox Force from commanding high ground in the vicinity of the LZ. During the pick-up of the next to last lift, a lift helicopter received automatic weapons ground fire from the flat area across the river to the north of Hardcore, crashed and burned. All four crew members and four combat troops were killed." A section of the AAR addresses the vulnerability of helicopters and light aircraft to ground fire during the 1/14's operations. That section addresses the incident as well: "A troop carrying UH1 was hit by automatic weapons fire on 18 February while participating in the combat assault of Charlie Company from their operating location to the north of Hardcore to an LZ near Alpha Company in the vicinity of Minibase Fox. When hit, the aircraft was gaining altitude after leaving the pickup zone. It was believed the pilot was wounded or killed; the aircraft lost altitude, rapidly went out of control, crashed and burned. All the crew and troops aboard were killed. The aircraft was a total loss." The incident occurred while 1/14 Infantry was providing a blocking force southwest of Danang; the UH-1 went down about 6 kilometers east of the Liberty Bridge across the Thu Bon River.

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