Today our walk was dedicated in honor of :
Army SP5 Brent John Bertsch, Age 21 of Lodi, Ca.
KIA May 17, 1968
He is remembered at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on Panel 61E, Line 23.
Brent is buried at Cherokee Memorial Park, Lodi,CA.
On May 17, 1968 this aircraft from Troop D (Air), 1st Squadron, 4th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division was operating in Binh Duong Province (III Corps). The crew was on a visual reconnaissance mission when the helicopter was struck by a B-40 rocket (RPG). The helicopter was hit in the fuselage, causing an explosion. The wreckage landed on top of some trees and burned. The two crewmen aboard, pilot WO1 Franklin V. Anderson and gunnerSP5 Brent J. Bertsch, suffered fatal injuries in the attack.
We had a great 5.85 Mile walk this morning. We headed up West Ave. and worked our way up town to the War Memorial Park where we read a few names of the Memorial Wall and then we headed back towards the house. The weather was beautiful. I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted in helping me honor this hero. We had 195 honks this morning. It was amazing. Thank you.
Army SP5 Brent John Bertsch will not be forgotten !
