29 Dec 2001 George It was early in the morning on a warm day late in May when he shook my hand and said goodbye and then he went away. He was no more than just a lad of 20 years or so but all of us who were close to him knew why he had to go. Since he was just a little boy with his eyes turned to the sky he knew that someday very soon he would simply have to fly. It was a sunny day in Georgia early in the spring when we stood and watched him ever so proud as he received his flyer's wings. Then off he went to fight a war in a place called Viet Nam to the heat, filth and chilling rain, red dust and grimey sand. He was an excellent pilot and his job he did so well in endless days filled with battle and nights that were pure hell. Twas on his 56th mission when his God came to call for George was not to fly again from the sky his plane did fall. I know he had no selfish dreams of immortality but he will forever be a hero to his loving mother and me. On a quiet day in autumn a stillness lay o'er the land as the flag was neatly folded and placed in his mother's hands. He lies on a peaceful hillside away from shot and shell and I know he dwells in heaven for he served his time in hell. It is a quiet day forever as he lays beneath my feet and the tears that fall like raindrops will never cease their beat. George would now have said to me "Dad, wipe away those tears It's far better to have lived one day as a lion than a lamb for a hundred years." The last two lines in the poem were taken from George's high school year book. From his parents, William and Emily Pepe billpepe@webtv.net

 

17 Sep 2002 To family and friends. In remembrance 10 Sep 2003 In remembrance Sincerely, Martin Kristensen martin_homer@hotmail.com

 

31 Jul 2007 A few years ago I rekindled my relationship with my long lost cousin Bill Pepe and his wonderful wife and family. I had often wondered what had happened to them and when I stumbled onto this site and e-mailed Bill I was pleasantly surprised to find him. Having met George only as a child I fondly remember him visiting my Uncle Nick with his sister and family. Even though it was only a memory to me it was vivid in my mind. As a result of this memorial I have renewed my association with this wonderful family. Their love for each other and for all the members of the Pepe family are amazing. I thank God for the internet and the ability to rekindle some unity from this tragedy. With love and compassion and a multitude of prayers for George and his devoted parents, Bill and Rosalie Pepe. From a cousin to George's father, William Pepe williampepe@webtv.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Two men of the 170th Assault Helicopter Company were killed when their UH-1D HUEY (hull number 66-16602) was shot down west of Pleiku: WO1 Peter Thomas Lundberg, aircraft commander, and WO1 George William Pepe, copilot. They are remembered by their comrades-in-arms on the 170th AHC Memorial page , part of the 170th AHC site .

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