My cousin Junior at 21:
On April 28, 1972 WO1 William A. Haines Jr. was killed in action while in the front seat of an AH-1G from F Troop (Air), 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, call name Centaurs. WO1 Haines’ ship was the lead element in a scouting mission when the aircraft came under small arms enemy fire. The helicopter took a round in the transmission, causing the aircraft to crash and roll over, trapping WO1 Haines in the front seat. He suffered fatal injuries in the incident. The aircraft commander, CAPT Paul V. Martindale, was also killed. The aircraft caught fire and was destroyed.
Panel 1W, Row 9 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.