Steven Arthur Wessel

The database page for Steven Arthur Wessel

29 May 2005 It was a pleasure to know ya, Steve, and to be a classmate at Walnut Ridge HS. Thanks for your service. RIP, JD

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 04 Jan 1969 an OH-6 (tail number 67-16363) from A Battery, 377th Artillery, was employed in providing artillery spotting in support of the 1st Bn, 321st Arty. At about 1630, after two hours on mission, the pilot - 1LT Kenneth L. Fountain of Savannah, Georgia - landed his aircraft at Fire Support Base T-Bone, contacted his base operations, and advised them that weather conditions made it unlikely he would be able to return to Camp Eagle. 1LT Fountain was directed to remain overnight at FSB T-Bone if the weather had not cleared by 1800. At 1800 Fountain decided to remain overnight at T-Bone. Since his aircraft was on a pad outside T-Bone's night defensive perimeter he fired it up with the intention of doing a low hover uphill to a pad within the NDP. PFC Steven A. Wessel was allowed to board as a passenger for the short flight. As Fountain moved uphill in the gathering darkness he apparently lost sight of the ground and may have developed vertigo. In any case his aircraft hit the hillside some 35 feet below the crest, rolled on its right side, exploded, and burned. Both Fountain and Wessel were killed in the crash.

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 08/10/2009