31 May 1999 Chuck died in North Vietnamese waters when the helicopter on which he crewed went down. His body was never recovered. It was three months and three days after his nineteenth birthday. He was my friend, he was my brother. As long as I draw breath, his memory will not be forgotten. Stephen Anthony wlfrider@aol.com

 

11 Feb 2004 Chuckie was my brother. Three days before my fifth birthday we received the first telegram indicating he was MIA. It was a matter of a few days when we received the telegram indicating he had been declared dead. I remember the last time I saw him he brought me a big pink bunny rabbit. As he was leaving our home for the last time, wearing his dress blues, I gave him a huge hug with that bunny in my arms and got pink fuzz all over his uniform. My mother was angry with me, but Chuckie just laughed that wonderful laugh of his and took it in stride. He nudged my chin, gave me a kiss and went on down the driveway. It's the last memory I have of him. I miss you terribly, Chuckie... Love, Your little sister, Candice beagle1962@msn.com

 

10 Apr 2004 Chuck was my fellow aircrewman and I will always remember the day he and Reinecke died. We were all so young and he died serving his country. May God bless him. He is my hero. From a friend, L. P. Ford, Jr. 1637 South Odell Road, Maryville, Tn. 37801 fdlp4djr@yahoo.com

 

19 Jun 2004 I did not know him personally but I was in the ship's Control Tower the night the helo went down. I witnessed the events and took part in the investigation of the crash. Clayton, your memory will last in our hearts until we all meet together in heaven. Steve V-1 Division, USS BENNINGTON (CVS-20) 1964-1967 Gulf of Tonkin From a shipmate, Steven Jacobson, ABHAN US Navy sjacobso@bmi.net

 

8 Jan 2005 Clayton, we never had the opportunity to meet but rest assured you are not forgotten. From a shipmate and USS BENNINGTON (CV/CVA/CVS-20) historian, Joseph Lawrence Pires 23 Rebecca Lane, Osterville, Massachusetts, 02655 jkpires@uss-bennington.org

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Redondo Man Hurt In Copter Crash A Redondo Beach, California man was among three Navy men injured when a SH3A helicopter from the USS BENNINGTON CVS-20 went down in the Gulf of Tonkin off North Vietnam, the Navy announced today. Two men are reported missing. The pilot, Lt(jg) Charles Stella, of Gonzales, Texas, and Petty Officer 2nd class Roberto B. Reed, of Houston, each suffered a broken leg in the Thursday night crash. Lt(jg) Finkenhagen of Redondo Beach, the co-pilot, suffered a broken arm and leg, the Navy said. The three were picked up by choppers from the BENNINGTON. Cause of the crash of the anti-submarine warfare helicopter is being investigated, the Navy said. From an unidentified news article dated January 14th, 1967 Provided to the USS BENNINGTON site by Joe Pires, former SK3 aboard BENNINGTON Two men of Anti-Submarine Helicopter Squadron 8 died when SH-3A BuNo 149909 crashed at sea: AX3 Clayton C. Kemp, Wheatridge, CO AX3 Wayne C. Reinecke, Milwaukie, OR

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