23 Apr 1997 Remembering a fellow Polecat Alfonso Roque Castro "Fidel" Captain and Helicopter Pilot, US Army 192nd Assault Helicopter Company Al's nickname, as you might expect in 1968, was "Fidel". Although our unit radio call sign was "Polecat", Fidel was frequently called by his personal nickname. Fidel, John Anderson, two crewmen, and three passengers crashed in bad weather in Zuc Me pass near Da Lat. They were missing in action until the wreckage was found almost three years later. Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew. And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untresspassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. John Gillespie Magee, Jr Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force Killed in flight 11 Dec 1941, aged 19 From a friend, Jim Schueckler 192nd AHC flewhuey@frontiernet.net

 

17 Aug 2000 I just wanted someone to know that I have had a POW-MIA bracelet for over 20 years with "Captain Alfonso Castro Nov 4, 1969" written on it. I did not know until today what happened to him. I linked to The Virtual Wall and found him. If there is a way, please let his family know that I have always honored him by remembering his date of casualty and wearing my bracelet. HE IS NOT FORGOTTEN Dee Dee Adams deedeeadams@mris.com

 

01 Oct 2006 As the years go by, you my brother are missed more and more. Mom and I talk about you often and try to remember stuff from our youth. I apologize for being such a bratty little sister. We all love you and miss you now that Mom is in her 90's I try to pull more stories about us from her memory. Now that you are in God's hands I pray you are at peace. Love always your little sister, Katie Castro Maldonado 21 May 2007 Captain Alfonso Roque Castro and his crew were found and bodies were returned to the United States. His Mother is 92 years in 2007 and the rest of his family still miss him. From his sister, Kathleen Castro Maldonado katielm68@aol.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Seven men died when UH-1H hull number 68-16057 belonging to the 192nd Assault Helicopter Company crashed on 04 Nov 1969. Four were crewmen from the 192nd AHC; the other three were passengers assigned to the 155th AHC: Aircrew, 192nd AHC CPT Alfonso R. Castro, Los Angeles, CA CWO John S. Anderson, Waterloo, IA SP6 Allan G. Kennedy, Fremont, CA SSG Marion L. Roach, Central Valley, CA Passengers, 155th AHC SSG Rick E. Medaris, Jenison, MI SSG John A. Payne, New York, NY SP5 Richard G. Bauer, Anchorage, AK As noted above, the wreckage was not located until 09 July 1973, and the recovered remains were identified on 05 Sep 1973. Captain Castro is buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park Cemetery (Garden of Benediction), Los Angeles, California.

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