06 Aug 2005 David was a classmate of mine for many years. We started in grade school together and graduated the same year from the same high school. He was Captain of our high school football team and President of the senior class. David was a really nice person and friendly to everyone. I think about him frequently along with other classmates who are no longer with us. He was one of many who paid the ultimate price for his country and will always be remembered as a hero to our country. From a friend.

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall At 1245 06 Feb 1971 a CH-47B (tail number 67-18493) from the 178th Assault Support Helicopter Company departed Chu Lai East Airfield on a series of "trash hauling" missions to and from various troop locations in the area. At about 1510 "Boxcar 20" departed Hawk Hill enroute to LZ Siberia with a load of water blivets , a generator, and eight men aboard. Boxcar 20 arrived at LZ Siberia at about 1525 and initiated a standard approach to the landing pad. While the aircraft was still some 150-200 feet in the air ground observers noted a change in the normal engine and rotor noise and watched as Boxcar 20's nose dropped to the right. The aircraft impacted the ground on a slight ridgeline and broke into two major portions, one of which burned. Seven of the eight men aboard died in the crash itself; one, Captain Alexander, was alive when recovered but died while enroute to medical facilities at Chu Lai. The eight were Aircrew, 178th ASHC: CPT David L. Alexander, Harrisburg, PA, pilot CPT Michael J. Kerl, Drexel Hill, PA, copilot SP5 Ambers A. Hamilton, Mabank, TX SP5 Robert J. Rogers, Olney, IL SP4 Curtis L. Williams, Webster, SD Passengers: CPT Richard A. Aaron, Washington, DC, HHC, 123rd Avn Bn (Flight Surgeon) CPL Kenneth W. Bonestroo, Hull, IA, C Btry, 3rd Bn, 16th Arty Rgt SP4 Robert P. Jacques, River Rouge, MI, C Btry, 3rd Bn, 16th Arty Rgt

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