Steven Morris Hastings,
Donald Randall Fowler, and
Peter John Russell, MIA/POW.
And
William Fernan, KIA
You are not forgotten.
"They Belong Walking On or Planted In
American Soil - NOTHING LESS" ®
by permission from Steve Golding
Here's my story about the evening at Bearcat of 1 August 1968:
Two gun-ships from the 240th Assault Helicopter Company were scrambled the evening of 1 August 1968 and both crashed
when they encountered bad weather. By noon the next day Rescue crews recovered the first crew and brought them safely
back to Bearcat. According the documents I obtained from the Library of Congress, three years later (August 1971) the
Army recovered the body of CWO Fernan. He didn't survive the crash but, Steven, Donald, and Peter had survived the
crash. Before leaving their aircraft they had opened their first aid kits and taken their personal weapons leaving only their
aircraft, flight helmets and MR Fernan's body behind.
Lt Russell flew "peter-pilot" (1st Officer to you civilian pilots) on the eve of 1 August 1968. SP5 Hastings (promoted to SSG
after crash) flew as Crew Chief, SP4 Fowler flew door-gunner and CWO Fernan flew Command Pilot. Around 8pm that
evening the ground unit they were supporting reported they were in contact (exchanging fire) with enemy. They requested
gun-ship support. Both aircraft on the mission that night encountered bad weather and crashed attempting to protect other
soldiers on the ground ...
I have not forgotten! Peace my brothers -- come home soon!.
First, thousands of families are still waiting for their sons, daughters, or parents to come home. They live every day not knowing whether their loved ones are dead or live and being held as prisoners of war. So, when you think about our freedom, also pause a moment and send a prayer or thought for them, be thankful for our freedom. "Freedom isn't free!" If you love freedom then show it by making sure we remain a strong nation committed to preventing wars and protecting this freedom.
Second, you should know that American's are still alive in Southeast Asia. The communists were still releasing French prisoners of war in the 1970s -- they released an American in 1979 -- 14 years after he was captured and five years after releasing all POWs. The communists call POWs "pearls"(1) .
We need a world-wide search now for all American's still serving in Southeast Asia. As a nation we must act now! Please
1) communicate your concern to your representatives in government about these and other MIAs and POWs who haven't
been found and 2) tell your friends and neighbors to do the same.
MIA-POW
SP4 FOWLER, Donald Randall 50 W 42
SSG HASTINGS, Steven Morris 50 W 44
1LT RUSSELL, Peter John 50 W 45
KIA
CWO FERNAN, William 50 W 41
Loss Coordinates:114856N 1071107E PHUOC LONG Province
(66 nautical miles ENE - 66 degrees - from Nui Ba Den)
Aircraft : UH1-C (MADDOG)
Aircraft Tail Number : 66-15154
1. "Kiss the Boys Goodbye" by Monika Jensen-Stevenson and William Stevenson, how the United States betrayed its own POWs in Viet Nam, Published by the Penguin Group, 1991, page 43. "... French prisoners were 'pearls' too, useful to sell one by one to Paris, for money, technical aid, even diplomatic recognition."return to text