A Step to Remember

A Step to Remember A Step to Remember is about taking a step in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in this nation’s military

For those that do not know, my Dad, LT Eric Brice was a US Navy F4 pilot who was killed on 04 June 1968 after a bombing mission over North Vietnam. Earlier this year I attended an Annual Government Briefing (AGB) with the Defense POW MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) where families of those still missing or unaccounted for are provided a great deal of information about current searches/investigations a

nd the techniques utilized for identifying the items when found. During this time Next of Kin family members also have the opportunity to sit down one on one with their Case Analyst to discuss any new information or updates regarding our loved ones. For me the discussion was about my Dad’s case, REFNO 1201. After a day filled with meetings and discussions my wife and I took a walk to visit The Wall along with several other memorials and historical landmarks in the area. I was amazed and shocked to see that scooters were allowed along the walking paths within the war memorials. I am in no way anti scooter but I do believe everything has a time and a place. For me scooters along these areas should not be permitted. I personally believe it takes away from the solemness and reverence the memorial warrants and is distracting to those paying their respects to a loved one, friend, or fallen hero that they served with. As I visited a number of the memorials it seemed as though these have become more like checklist items vs people taking a moment to soak in why they were built. Rather than get angry I saw this as the perfect educational opportunity, an opportunity to find a way to remind the public about why places like The Wall exist and why it is our duty to show reverence when visiting them. The original mission of A Step to Remember was for me to walk 58,281 steps, a step for each name engraved into the black granite of The Wall plus an additional 1,573 steps to show that our Missing will not be forgotten. 17 years of losses our nation, their families, and their friends suffered. I will be wearing a 17-pound weighted vested during the walk to be symbolic of the weight this war bore on our nation. The ultimate sacrifice these men and women made is why we say their names, why we tell their stories, and why we should never forget. And for some, like me, it why we never give up hope.

Sergeant First Class Charlie Gray Lewis entered the U.S. Army from Fayetteville, NC. He arrived in Vietnam on 07 May 19...
06/01/2026

Sergeant First Class Charlie Gray Lewis entered the U.S. Army from Fayetteville, NC. He arrived in Vietnam on 07 May 1967 where he served as an Armor Crewman with Company D, 16th Armored Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade. On 17 May 1967, Lewis was riding in an armored personnel carrier (APC) during a combat mission near Long Khanh Province, South Vietnam when the APC detonated a mine while crossing a bridge. The explosion caused the vehicle to catch on fire and overturn, pinning SFC Lewis underneath. Efforts to rescue him were unsuccessful, and he lost his life in the incident. Due to the extent of the damage, his remains could not be recovered.
Based on all information available, DPAA has assessed this case to be in the analytical category of Active Pursuit.

Sergeant First Class Charlie Gray Lewis’s name can be found on Panel 1E Line 121.

Say their names. Tell their stories. Never forget their sacrifices. Never give up hope.

Let us pause today to honor those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we so often take for granted. May the li...
05/25/2026

Let us pause today to honor those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we so often take for granted.

May the light of their memory always shine bright.
May their service to this nation be honored.
May their sacrifice never be forgotten.

Say their names. Tell their stories. Never forget their sacrifices.

Thank you Honor and Remember for an amazing experience, Mission POW MIA for helping to get me included, and Cody Shane W...
05/23/2026

Thank you Honor and Remember for an amazing experience, Mission POW MIA for helping to get me included, and Cody Shane Ware / Rick Ware Racing for honoring my Dad, LT Eric Brice on your car this weekend. Normally I am not at a loss for words….that is not the case this weekend. Thank you does not seem enough for the appreciation I have to everyone that is helping to ensure he is not forgotten.

Private First Class William Darrell Johnson entered the U.S. Army from Rocky Mount, NC. Upon arriving in Vietnam, he se...
05/18/2026

Private First Class William Darrell Johnson entered the U.S. Army from Rocky Mount, NC. Upon arriving in Vietnam, he served as a rifleman with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. On 19 January 1968, his company was roughly ten miles west of Dak To, Kon Tum Province, South Vietnam, when they were ambushed by enemy forces. While working their way back to the fire base, PFC Johnson who was serving as pointman, went into a ravine to investigate an English-speaking voice but never returned. Five other members of Johnson’s platoon went missing during the withdrawal however during search efforts their bodies would be found. PFC Johnson’s remains were not recovered and to date still remains unaccounted for. DPAA carries his case in the analytical category of Active Pursuit.

After the incident, and while carried in the status of missing in action (MIA), the U.S. Army promoted PFC Johnson to Sergeant First Class (SFC). On 20 February 1979 the Secretary of the Army approved a Presumptive Finding of Death.

SFC William Darrell Johnson’s name can be found on Panel 34E Line 77.

Say their names. Tell their stories. Never forget their sacrifices. Never give up hope.

A big thank you to my good friend Bob Waldrep for inviting me to speak to the Shades Mountain Baptist Veterans Group yes...
05/18/2026

A big thank you to my good friend Bob Waldrep for inviting me to speak to the Shades Mountain Baptist Veterans Group yesterday. I always accept any opportunity to share by Dad’s story, the sacrifice he made, and the challenges I still face fighting to get him home. I really enjoyed getting to meet with and talking to everyone. Excited to see them again in July for a follow discussion on an upcoming trip I am making as well as my annual meeting with DPAA that is conducted in late June.

Specialist 4 Larry Carl Jamerson, who joined the U.S. Army from Rosman, NC. He served as a Helicopter Repairer with the...
05/11/2026

Specialist 4 Larry Carl Jamerson, who joined the U.S. Army from Rosman, NC. He served as a Helicopter Repairer with the 17th Helicopter Assault Company, 10th Aviation Battalion, 16th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade. On 21 April 1968, a UH-1H Iroquois Huey helicopter carrying four crew members and two passengers left from Phu Bai, South Vietnam on a maintenance duty mission in support of a multi-helicopter operation in Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam. Due to marginal weather with poor visibility, the Huey became separated from the formation, forcing them to fly at low altitude and was consequently shot down by enemy fire. The crash site was successfully located, however enemy activity prohibited further search and rescue attempts. At the time of the incident SP4 Jamerson was the door gunner. To date his remains have not been recovered. Following the incident the Army promoted him to the rank of Specialist 6.

Based on all information available, DPAA has assessed this case to be in the analytical category of Active Pursuit

Specialist 6 Larry Carl Jamerson’s name can be found alongside his fallen comrades on Panel 51E Line 21.

Say their names. Tell their stories. Never forget their sacrifices. Until they all come home…

Lieutenant Litchfield Patterson Huie entered the U.S. Navy from Warsaw, N.C. He served as a UH-2B Seasprite pilot with ...
05/04/2026

Lieutenant Litchfield Patterson Huie entered the U.S. Navy from Warsaw, N.C. He served as a UH-2B Seasprite pilot with Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 1 (HC-1), Carrier Air Wing 21 (CVW-21), USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), Task Force 77 (TF 77), 7th Fleet. On 27 February 1967, Lt Huie along with three additional crew members were preparing for takeoff from the aircraft carrier in the South China Sea. Their takeoff was delayed as the ship turned into the wind to launch strike aircraft. The Seasprite was no longer secured to the deck, and during the turn, a high wind lifted them causing the helicopter to roll overboard, breaking apart as it crashed into the sea. A rescue helicopter quickly responded but the Seasprite sank too quickly for any of the crew to be recovered. To date all crew members remain missing and unaccounted for.

Based on all information available, DPAA has assessed this case to be in the analytical category of Non-Recoverable.

Lieutenant Litchfield Patterson Huie’s name can be found alongside his fallen comrades on Panel 2W Line 113.

Say their names. Tell their stories. Never forget their sacrifices. Until they all come home…

First Lieutenant Carter Avery Howell joined the U.S. Air Force from Fayetteville, NC. He arrived in Vietnam on 06 Octob...
04/27/2026

First Lieutenant Carter Avery Howell joined the U.S. Air Force from Fayetteville, NC. He arrived in Vietnam on 06 October 1971 serving as a Phantom II F4 pilot with the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force. On 07 March 1972, Howell’s F4, call sign Gunfighter 61, took off as the second of two aircraft on an armed reconnaissance mission over southern Laos. During the mission, the flight leader spotted two enemy trucks clearing Gunfighter 61 to attack. The flight leader lost sight of Gunfighter 61 as they began their second pass over the targets. A few minutes later, the flight leader saw a large explosion nearby. No parachutes were observed and no radio transmissions were received. Gunfighter 61 failed to return from the mission and would not be seen again. Search and Rescue (SAR) forces conducted visual, electronic, and photoreconnaissance search efforts however neither crewmember would be found. Later reports indicated there was heavy enemy fire in the area where they were believed to have gone missing. After the war, the remains of Gunfighter 61’s Weapons System Officer were repatriated. To date Howell remains unaccounted for. Following the incident, the Air Force promoted 1st Lt Howell to the rank of Captain.

Based on all information available, DPAA has assessed this case to be in the analytical category of Active Pursuit.

Captain Carter Avery Howell’s name can be found on Panel 2W Line 113.

Say their names. Tell their stories. Never forget their sacrifices. Until they all come home…

Specialist 4 Luther Harris Howard joined the U.S. Army from Hamlet, NC. He served as Field Artilleryman with Battery A,...
04/20/2026

Specialist 4 Luther Harris Howard joined the U.S. Army from Hamlet, NC. He served as Field Artilleryman with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 35th Artillery Regiment, 54th Artillery Group, II Field Force. On 30 June 1967 Howard was swimming with a group in Long An Province, South Vietnam, when he disappeared under the water and never resurfaced. Search efforts were conducted but proved unsuccessful in finding him. To date SP4 Howard remains unaccounted for.

Based on all information available, DPAA has assessed this case to be in the analytical category of Non-recoverable.

Specialist 4 Luther Harris Howard's name can be found on Panel 22E Line 87.

Say their names. Tell their stories. Never forget their sacrifices. Until they all come home…

Private First Class Harold Lee Harris joined the U.S. Army from Durham, NC. Upon arriving in Vietnam, he served as an I...
04/13/2026

Private First Class Harold Lee Harris joined the U.S. Army from Durham, NC. Upon arriving in Vietnam, he served as an Infantryman with Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On 22 October 1966, Harris’s unit was on a combat mission in the Binh Dinh region of South Vietnam. While trying to cross a stream, Harris and another soldier were swept away by the swift current. A thorough search was immediately conducted but recovery efforts were unsuccessful. Four days later the body of one of the soldiers was found. To date PFC Harris remains unaccounted for.

Based on all information available, DPAA has assessed this case to be in the analytical category of Non-Recoverable.

Private First Class Harold Lee Harris’s name can be found on Panel 11E Line 94.

Say their names. Tell their stories. Never forget their sacrifices. Until they all come home…

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Hoover, AL
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