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1969 Vietnam Huey Losses

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Vietnam Huey Losses UH-1 Vietnam Losses }-> 1972-73 ~ 1971 ~ 1970 ~ 1969 ~ 1968 ~ 1967 ~ 1966 ~ 1963-65

Date

Name(s)

Location

Insignia

Notes

30 DEC 69

CPT Gerald C. Swayze [P]

Tay Ninh Province

C/229 AHB
Killed by small arms ground fire.

22 DEC 69

CW2 Donald D. Burris Jr [P]
SSG James E. Kennedy [G]
2 crewmembers injured

Cambodia

57 AHC
#66-00587
A/C was conducting a combat support mission when it developed mechanical problems. Crew attempted to nurse the crippled A/C eastward toward the SV border. When it became apparent it was no longer flyable, the crew made an emergency Mayday call giving their location, then crash landed in the heavily forested mountains of extreme eastern Cambodia.

21 DEC 69

WO1 Thomas L. Forsythe [P]
CPT Arthur R. Herndon [P]
SP4 David L. Eggleston [G]
SP4 David L. Barber
SP4 Roy J. Burke
SP4 James H. Dean
SSG Thomas J. Dowd
PFC Gary P. Sinclair
CE injured

Quang Tri Province

C/158 AVN
#66-16517
A/C shot down and crashed.

16 DEC 69

CW2 Oscar L. Brittenum Jr [AC]

Dinh Tuong Province

336 AHC
#66-15161
Received head shot wound during a gun run north of Vin Long.

16 DEC 69

WO1 Michael J. Drake [AC]
WO1 Leonard J. Sugimoto [CP]
CPL Thomas E. Devine [CE]
CPT Francis M. Girardot [OB]
2 injured

Tay Ninh Province

A/25 AVN
#68-16196
Rotor hit ground causing crash and burn during night approach into LZ in bad weather.

15 DEC 69

WO1 Dee A. Hyden [P]
1LT Don E. Stockton Jr [P]
SP5 Donald R. Rose [CE]
SP5 Larry D. Keeler [G]
SP4 William S. Barritt

Quang Tin Province

176 AHC
#68-16206
Flare mission at night with 200' ceiling went IFR - WX.

10 DEC 69

SP4 Robert R. Allmers [G]
4 injured

Tay Ninh Province

C/229 AVN
#66-16232
Returning from C&C mission and on approach to Tay Ninh A/C hit the ground at 80 knots. A/C plowed through 4 rice paddy dikes before coming to rest on a farm road. Smoke grenade box tore lose from the bulkhead hitting gunner in the head.

09 DEC 69

WO1 Ward L. Hooper Jr [P]
SP4 Michael J. McClane [CE]
SP5 Edward F. Fratus [G]
CPT Eugene P. Shumbris [PP]
LTC Karl F. Lange
MAJ Roger W. Heinz
AC injured

Quang Ngai Province

A/123 AVN
#68-16220
A/C was on a routine shuttle mission and departed Minh Long in light rain, following a valley to Ba To after passing through a saddle at BS507468. As A/C passed through the saddle, they inadvertently went IFR. A/C turned left and initiated a 500' per minute climb. After completing turn, AC was looking through chin bubble when he saw mountainside approaching rapidly and applied aft cyclic and full pitch. Retreating M/R blade contacted small shrubs and tall elephant grass on the uphill side of the mountain. As A/C moved forward, the skids struck the ground and sheared off, causing the fuel cells to burst. M/R struck the ground and was sheared from the xsmn and T/B was also severed from the A/C. A/C continued to move forward for 144' before burning.

06 DEC 69

1LT Philip J. Schrock [AC]
CPT Charles E. Ferrell [CP]
SP5 Peter K. Miranda [CE]
PFC Rolland L. Durflinger [G]
COL George L. Miller

Kontum Province

57 AHC
#66-16699
A/C was taking off from a FB or some place high on a hill and was so overloaded that it crashed on takeoff down a steep cliff.

04 DEC 69

CW2 David A. Hickman [AC]
SGT Roy L. Royston [CE]
SP5 Jose A. Velez-Hernandez [G]

Binh Tuy Province

68 AHC
#68-15325
A/C was shot down on takeoff out of Tan Linh.

04 DEC 69

SP4 Edward R. Smiley Jr [G]

Cambodia

195 AHC
No details.

02 DEC 69

CW2 Martin D. Vanden Eykel II [AC]
CW2 William C. Dunlap [CP]
SP5 William D. Sanderlin [CE]
SP5 Michael H. Shanley Jr [G]

Binh Dinh Province

129 AHC
#64-13959
A/C was providing fire support for a LRRP team that had radioed for help at night. Contact was lost and A/C and crew were not found.

29 NOV 69

CW2 Jack D. Knepp [AC]
WO1 Dennis D. Bogle [CP]
PFC Henry N. Heide [C]
SP4 James R. Smith [C]

Phuoc Long Province

11 GSC
EH-1H
#68-15246
Shot down with RPG. A/C was destroyed by TACAIR to destroy classified sniffer equipment on board.

26 NOV 69

CW2 Edward T. Davis Jr [P]
CPT William A. Kuhnke [P]
SP5 James R. Plate [CE]
SP4 Timothy E. Badostain [G]

Binh Dinh Province

119 AHC
#68-15684
A/C was attempting to complete one last sortie of noncombat material from LZ Tape to LZ Teg. A/C was attempting to go to LZ Teg in adverse weather. Ground crew at LZ reported weather at their location was zero ceiling and no more than 20' visibility. A/C crashed into trees.

24 NOV 69

CW2 Howard B. Comer Jr [CP]
SP4 James R. Jones Jr [CE]
SP4 Laurence A. Young [G]
3 injured

Tay Ninh Province

187 AHC
#68-15564
On a routine combat support flight for MACV Advisory Team 90. Before returning to Tay Ninh the A/C flew over the Naval patrol base at Ban Keo. During a low pass over the base, the A/C impacted the surface of the Vo Co Dung River, pitched forward, and sank inverted in approx 50' of water.

24 NOV 69

WO1 Charles J. Armstrong [P]
WO1 Allen D. Perkins [P]
SP4 Raul R. Barrera Jr [CE]
SP4 Michael F. Gonzales [G]

Bien Ho Province

118 AHC
#65-12863
Mid-air with #66-771 when forming up over Long Binh. A/C was chalk 2 and rotor blades meshed with chalk 1. A/C banked right and descended rapidly. M/R assy and xmsn separated from A/C. M/R blades struck the T/B 3 times and sheared aft of the sync elevator. Mast sheared just below the M/R head, separating the M/R system from the xmsn. A/C caught fire in flight, hit the ground level and in a slight right side low attitude, exploded and engulfed in flames. Chalk 1 - none killed.

23 NOV 69

WO1 Roy M. Stilwell [P]
Other crewmembers injured

Binh Duong Province

57 MED DET
A/C hit by heavy cross fire while landing in a heavy brush area to pickup wouunded from the 82nd Airborne. Pilot was hit twice and died of wounds about a month later.

19 NOV 69

WO1 Don L. Rock [AC]

Binh Duong Province

57 MED DET
Killed by small arms fire while on medevac mission.

19 NOV 69

SP4 Rory W. Hunter [CE]

Binh Dinh Province

61 AHC
A/C was hit by ground fire while attempting to insert a team of Rangers at an LZ and CE was killed.

17 NOV 69

SP5 Mark F. Tearl [G]
5 injured

Gia Dinh Province

116 AHC
#65-09447
A/C was on admin flight when they had multiple bird strikes. After landing at Nha Be heliport, an inspection was performed with only minor damage noted. After lunch A/C tookoff and at 400-500' encountered cyclic binding, more bird strikes where A/C leveled momentarily, then nosed downward and right turn. A/C leveled out just prior to impact, making contact with palm sprouts about 5' from the ground. A/C contacted the ground and continued approx 50 yds and came to rest across a small stream and caught fire.

17 NOV 69

PFC Mark W. Burchard [G]

Cambodia

189 AHC
#66-15244
A/C was providing air cover on a mission for C&C when it received heavy ground weapons fire.

16 NOV 69

SP4 Michael L. Biles [CE]

Kien Tuong Province

175 AHC
No details.

15 NOV 69

WO1 Ricardo W. Regalado [P]
WO1 Adam Wilson [P]
SP4 Ronald L. Ducommun [CE]
SP4 Forest C. Hodgkin [G]
SP4 James J. Gunderson

Quang Ngai Province

174 AHC
#68-15661
C/S: DOLPHIN 661
A/C was on resupply mission. High winds restricted their approach to the same direction. A/C was shot down on 5th approach, crashed and burned.

15 NOV 69

1LT Walter D. Romero [P]
SP4 John R. Rankin [CE]
AC injured

Quang Tin Province

71 AHC
#66-16260
A/C was on a resupply mission and was approx 6/10 mi from the LZ, north of Chu Lai, when it was hit by SA fire. A/C ht the ground and rolled on its side. CE was hit by SA fire afterwards.

12 NOV 69

SP4 Freddie N. Haynes [G]

Kontum Province

57 AHC
#66-15774
The 1st Platoon 'White Flight,' while standing by at the FOB #2 alternate launch site at Dak Pek, was mortared.

07 NOV 69

PFC John W. Rasmussen [CE]
SGT David R. Jackson [G]

Phuoc Long Province

A/229 AHB
#68-15311
No details.

06 NOV 69

SGT Gregory P. Rugenstein [G]

Pleiku Province

D/1/10 CAV
#66-16454
A/C was dropping flares at LZ St. George for Dustoff that was called in. While prepping for next drop, a flare exploded in the gunner's face. G died a few days later at 71 EVAC.

05 NOV 69

WO1 Gerould M. Rumble III [AC]
WO1 Ken A. McCartney [CP]
SP4 William T. Quillin [CE]
SP4 Charles A. Posey [G]

Binh Duong Province

A/227 AHB
#67-17776
On take off from Lai Khe enroute to Phuoc Vinh, experienced flight control problems, crashed and burned. Reason for crash was loss of pitch control on one M/R blade. Blade link separated from blade grip. Cause was later determined to be enlarged threads in blade grip caused by thread chasing during ARADMAC overhaul.

04 NOV 69

WO1 Terry L. Alford [AC]
WO1 Jim R. Cavender [CP]
SP4 John A. Ware [CE]
SP4 James R. Klimo [G]

Khanh Hoa Province

281 AHC
#67-19512
A/C entered IFR enroute Ban Me Thout to Ninh Hoa and crashed.

04 NOV 69

CW2 John S. Anderson [P]
CPT Alfonso R. Castro [P]
SSG Marion L. Roach [CE]
SP6 Allan G. Kennedy [G]
SP5 Richard G. Bauer
SSG Rick E. Medaris
SSG John A. Payne

Khanh Hoa Province

192 AHC
#68-16057
A/C crashed in bad weather in Zuc Me pass near Da Lat. They were MIA until the wreckage was found almost 3 years later.

04 NOV 69

SP4 John D. Thrasher [MD]

Binh Thuan Province

254 MED
No details.

03 NOV 69

WO1 Kenneth R. Leach [P]
SSG Gayle E. Williams [CE]
AC & G injured

Hau Nghia Province

B/25 AVN
#66-00674
A/C was enroute to Cu Chi after an extraction. At FSB Hunter, the flight of 3 began flying low level. Between FSB Pershing and Cu Chi Base Camp wingman made a call to lead asking him to slow up as they were flying at 90 KIAS and could not maintain proper separation. Lead went into a climb to an altitude of 500', nosed over into an extremely steep dive towards the ground, striking the ground with a tremendous forward ground speed continuing along the ground almost 200m from initial point of contact and disintegrated.

02 NOV 69

SP5 Donald G. Vollmer [CE]

Hau Nghia Province

190 AHC
No details.

01 NOV 69

SP4 Eric T. Harshbarger [CE]
3 crewmembers rescued

Hoa Nghia Province

D/1/4 CAV
#67-18576
A/C was on an aerial insertion of the aerorifle platoon 5 mi west of Lai Khe. After CE's machine-gun became inoperative he exposed himself outside the A/C to clear his weapon. While working with his machine-gun, a mine was detonated which mortally wounded him.

01 NOV 69

WO1 Charles F. Danielson Jr [AC]
1LT Stanley A. Brown [CP]
SP5 Jimmy K. Harrison [CE]
SP5 Philip J. Enlow [G]
1LT Oliver Coleman Jr
1LT Michael A. DeMagnin
SSG Gilbert E. Wallace

Tay Ninh Province

116 AHC
#65-09721
A/C was shot down near Ap Trai Bi, a hamlet on Hwy TL-13 about 26 km NNW of Tay Ninh. PAX were MACV Advisory Team 90.

31 OCT 69

WO1 Michael D. Rosenthal Jr [AC]
CPT Murray J. Wyman [CP]
SP4 Larry J. McGraw [CE]
SP4 Steve L. Escallier [G]
CPT Michael D. Brightman [OB]
LTC Robert L. Alexander
CPT Adamo E. DeAngelis
SGM Edward E. See
CPT Paul E. Reaume
SGT Brian J. Morrow

Tay Ninh Province

B/229 AHB
#66-16650
C/S: SPADE 650
A/C was on a C&C mission for a battalion-sized operation. The A/C returned to base at about 0830 for refueling. When it departed, it carried the 1/12 CAV, command group and 2 arty FO's as PAX. At about 0930, other A/C in the AO heard a "MAYDAY" call from Spade 650 and watched helplessly as it went into a steep descent, crashed, and burned. Determined to be due to transmission failure.

30 OCT 69

CW2 Nolan E. Black [P]
CW2 Maury W. Hearne [P]
SP4 Clyde L. Canada [CE]
SP5 Douglas H. Lott Jr [G]

Quang Duc Province

48 AHC
#63-08587
Hit by RPG and lost portion of tailboom near Bu Prang out of LZ Kate being attacked by 500 NVA.

28 OCT 69

WO1 John H. Whittington [AC]
SP5 Gary A. Best
SP4 Charles F. Gamble Jr
SP5 Donald L. Neeley
SP5 Barrent O. Torgerson
2 injured

Kontum Province

57 AHC
#66-15129
A/C departed to the west of Dak To active. A/C entered standard traffic pattern and was flying at approx 150' AGL due to arty fire to NE. A/C entered downwind leg then turned 90 deg to the right, then commenced a 180 deg right hand turn parallel to airstrip. A/C made contact with ground slightly nose high and slid for approx 100' pitching the acft forward. Pilot pulled full collective and max aft cyclic causing the M/R to flex striking the T/B and severing portion of at vertical stabilizer. A/C came back up in the air approx 50', spinning three revolutions in the air and impacting the ground on its left side and burst into flames.

28 OCT 69

CW3 Ferman B. Hodges [P]
SP4 Billy W. Denley [CX]
SP4 Ralph S. Cinotti [CX]
3 injured

Binh Duong Province

15 MED
#64-13746
A/C was conducting a maintenance run from Phu Loi to Phuoc Vinh to pick up parts. Crash occurred approx 20 min of 30 min flight. Radio contact was made when acft was at the Song Be Bridge stating they were experiencing IFR conditions and was becoming disoriented. Pilot was taking GCA instructions when he became disoriented again, flying over the bridge three times, barely clearing it. After last pass over bridge, A/C turned and headed south, dove toward the ground and then climbed nose high almost straight up. A/C then rolled over to one side and fell nose low back towards the ground crashing and exploding.

28 OCT 69

CPT Thomas E. Campbell [P]
WO1 John P. Wright [P]
SP5 Chubby D. Lowrey [CE]
PFC Ezequiel Torres Jr [G]

Binh Thuan Province

192 AHC
#66-15075
Gunship flew into a mountain at night while covering the extraction of C Company 75 Rangers.

28 OCT 69

WO1 Ralph D. Tadevic [AC]
1LT James F. Spencer* [P]
SP4 George H. Ayala [G]
CPL Terrence C. Connolly [OB]
CE injured

Phuoc Long Province

C/227 AVN
#68-15767
A/C entered IFR during takeoff and impacted trees at the edge of a rubber plantation 400m from FSB Buttons. *Spencer died a few days later of injuries.

25 OCT 69

CPT Dwight J. Thornton [AC]
WO1 Milbert W. Hamilton [CP]
SSG Charles E. Shultz
2 crewmembers injured

Laos

B/101 AVN
#65-09738
Pilot in right seat hit by an RPG, the A/C went inverted and crashed. CE and G were thrown out and survived 50' fall.

23 OCT 69

SP4 Seth H. Matthews III [G]

Tay Ninh Province

B/25 AVN
#66-00683
Killed by .51 cal ground fire at 1600 hours.

21 OCT 69

SP4 John E. Cook [G]
SP4 Dale E. Thompson
7 injured

Pleiku Province

189 AHC
#68-16094
On approach to LZ, T/R struck a 50' stump, followed by a M/R strike and A/C landed on left side.

13 OCT 69

CW2 Ronald C. Rudolph [AC]
CPT John M. Wheeler [CP]
SP5 Willie F. Cato [CE]
1 CIV PAX killed

Phuoc Tuy Province

336 AHC
#68-16176
A/C was in a flight of 3 enroute from Dong Ba Thin to Soc Trang. Flight was descending from 6000'. A/C was flying in the number 3 (left rear) position of the V. A/C asked lead to slow because of turbulence. At an altitude of 4000-4500', A/C radioed it was out of control. A/C sheared the top off of a tree and struck the ground at approx 85 deg angle.

10 OCT 69

WO1 Thomas F. Brown Jr [P]
CPL Robert L. Lazarus [CE]
SP4 Shelby M. Long [G]
CPL William R. Adams
SGT William R. Godfrey
SP4 Larry G. Prewitt
SP4 Jose C. Salinas
3 injured

Phuoc Long Province

C/227 AVN
#67-19524
After loading 5 troops at PZ, the A/C lifted to a hover and rotated right for a westward departure. While lifting out at an altitude of 75', the M/R struck a tree on the right side. The A/C fell to the ground in a nose-down, rolling-right attitude, bursting into flame on ground impact.

09 OCT 69

CPT John P. Brennan [P]
CPT Charles D. Jageler [P]
SP4 Richard A. Smith Sr [CE]
SP4 Tony M. Vasquez [G]
MAJ Lawrence D. Acre

Binh Long Province

195 AHC
#66-01106
Shot down during C&C mission. Suspect a SAM missile was cause.

09 OCT 69

CW2 Owen T. Hirano [P]
1LT Robert S. Mason Jr [P]
SP5 Greg B. Scott [CE]
SP4 Danny R. Spencer [G]
1 injured

Long Khanh Province

118 AHC
#66-00530
A/C crashed in bad WX. A/C turned a total of 450 deg before impacting the ground in a 70-80 deg dive with nose slightly to the right at a high rate of speed. Advancing blade struck the ground and formed a hole almost straight into the ground. At this point the T/B broke and remainder of fuselage turned over in direction of flight and came to rest inverted.

09 OCT 69

CW4 James A. Bailey [AC]
SP5 James H. Turner [G]
SGT Dallas A. Driver
PFC Robert Fields Jr
SGT Jimmy R. Garbett
SGT Raymond G. Moore
SGT James L. Suydam
1 injured

Tay Ninh Province

118 AHC
#63-08826
A/C was chalk #6 on a CA operation to extract troops at an LZ. During takeoff and traveling approx 150', the retreating blade struck a bamboo thicket and continued for another 75m with severe vibration. Pilot made a right turn and radioed he was going into river. Pilot settled acft into river and acft began to roll left causing retreating blade to strike the water, break and lodge into the right front of fuselage. The xmsn broke loose and T/R struck water causing acft to roll inverted. A/C remained afloat for approx 7-10 seconds and sunk nose first.

05 OCT 69

WO1 Orval A. Baldwin [AC]
WO1 Rocky D. Armstead [CP]
SP5 Steven E. Arnold [MD]
SP5 Hubert D. Sutton [CE]

Quang Tri Province

326 MED
#67-19515
A/C apparently rolled inverted and crashed, possibly as a result of weather-induced vertigo.

27 SEP 69

PFC John N. Huntley [G]

Laos

57 AHC
#68-15558
A/C was on an extraction mission of SF LRRP in Attopeu Province. As A/C was lifting from the extraction zone with 4 men attached by McGuire rigs, they received heavy volumes of enemy fire which hit the engine and A/C began falling. The pilots were able to slow the descent somewhat by autorotation, but it hit, bounced, twisted and came to rest burning on its right side, pinning gunner underneath.

25 SEP 69

WO1 David R. Jackson [AC]

Quang Tin Province

71 AHC
#68-16100
Killed by small arms fire during C&C mission.

22 SEP 69

WO1 Gary G. Lamb [P]

Ba Xugen Province

336 AHC
#66-15210
While at refueling point, wingman was hovering in and lost M/R which came through cockpit striking pilot.

22 SEP 69

WO1 Barry K. Alexander [P]
SP5 Johnnie L. Williams Jr [G]
2 injured

Quang Tin Province

71 AHC
#66-16332
A/C was conducting a combat assault into a river valley about 13 km southeast of Hiep Duc when it was shot down. Three other helicopters were also shot down.

20 SEP 69

SP4 Daniel Napierskie [CE]

Dinh Tuong Province

336 AHC
CE fell out of A/C. No further details.

17 SEP 69

WO1 Robert P. Mayer [AC]
1LT Richard A. Snowdon [CP]
SP5 William A. Fitch [CE]
SP5 Gary L. Haught [G]
CPT Donald W. Dietz
MAJ Dana W. Mitchell
LTC Leo P. Sikorski
MAJ David R. Mackey
MAJ William T. McNair
COL Dale J. Crittenberger

Long An Province

HHC 3 BDE
#67-17821
Mid-air with AH-1 #68-15061 during mission.

14 SEP 69

WO1 Gary R. Mason [P]
WO1 Larry G. Marsh [P]
SP5 Gale S. Pritchard [CE]
SP4 Thomas E. Champagne [G]

Pleiku Province

189 AHC
#67-17316
Flying II Corps General's ship. Had mechanical catastrophic failure after dropping off General enroute to Camp Holloway. A/C was low level under 25' between Pleku AFB and Camp Holloway when it experienced a hydraulic hardover which flipped the A/C into the ground with no chance for recovery.

12 SEP 69

CW2 Stephen A. De Santis [AC]
WO1 Richard A. Sawran [CP]
SP4 Lawrence D. Jackson [CE]
PFC Stephan L. Hargrave [G]
4 PAX killed

Binh Dinh Province

129 AHC
#67-17257
WARNING: Clicking on this icon will display graphic image of crash site.
Hit mountaintop IFR at night while getting radar help from Phu Cat AFB.

10 SEP 69

WO1 Peter T. Lundberg [AC]
WO1 George W. Pepe [CP]
CE & G injured

Pleiku Province

170 AHC
#66-16602
A/C shot down west of Pleiku. A/C crashed and burned on impact.

08 SEP 69

SP4 Ambrose H. Brooks Jr [G]

Kien Tuong Province

117 AHC
#66-15032
A/C struck high tension wires, began spinning and crashed in water.

07 SEP 69

SSG James W. Megehee [G]
SP4 Gary L. Bowdler [MD]

Binh Long Province

15 MED
#68-15449
No details.

05 SEP 69

SP5 Louis S. Di Bari [CE]

Tay Ninh Province

15 MED
#68-15670
A/C hit by ground fire 2km W of FSB Ike, 19km S of Katum.

05 SEP 69

SP5 Charles A. Romero [CE]

Hau Nghia Province

68 AHC
#68-15325
A/C was hovering by a tall tree that had a VC flag on top. CE was reaching out to grab it and a booby trap exploded knocking out the T/R.

04 SEP 69

1LT John E. Klingen [P]
CPT Michael R. Reitz [P]
SP4 Richard A. Stanley [CE]
SP4 Reginald P. Begnoche [G]
1LT Layne H. Connevey [OB]
1LT Kenneth T. Cummings
1LT George L. Kleiber Jr

Bien Hoa Province

117 AHC
#68-15475
Lost T/R then M/R due to mast bumping, crashed and burned on approach into Plantation AAF.

03 SEP 69

CW2 Ben F. Sutton [AC]
WO1 Carl P. Hughes [CP]
SP4 Michael M. Cox [CE]
SP4 Marvin E. Screen [G]
SP4 Neal D. Epifanio
SGT Gary L. Evans
CPT Richard C. Miller
PFC Louis T. Mills
CPL Leroy Rutherford

Quang Nam Province

B/158 AVN
#68-15537
A/C was on extraction mission. 5 PAXs were loaded. After becoming airborne, A/C failed to obtain sufficient clearance from a 60' tall tree and had a M/R strike. The A/C skimmed along the jungle canopy until it collided with an even taller tree, then fell off to the side, passing downhill along the side of a ravine before crashing into a small river, and immediately burst into flames.

03 SEP 69

WO1 David R. Hanna [AC]
WO1 William E. Tittle [CP]
SP5 Michael L. Collins [CE]
SGT Mark C. Alford [G]
MAJ Ronald J. Britz
LTC Andre G. Broumas
CPT McKenzie W. Genwright
CPT Norman L. Nesterak

Binh Long Province

A/227 AHB
#68-16059
A/C shot down 8 mi NE of Quan Loi, crashed and burned.

02 SEP 69

CPT Donald R. Kilpatrick [P]

Tay Ninh Province

187 AHC
#66-16700
Killed when struck by 12.7mm round during a combat assault.

23 AUG 69

SP4 William W. Ellis III [CE]

Thua Thien Province

A/158 AVN
#67-17644
A/C was shot down by ground fire, crashed and burned 15km ESE of A Luoi village.

19 AUG 69

WO1 Gerald L. Silverstein [AC]
WO1 John D. Plummer [PI]
PFC Stewart J. Lavigne [CE]
PFC Stephen L. Martino [G]
SP4 Richard A. Doria
LTC Eli P. Howard Jr
CSM Franklin D. Rowell
CIV Oliver Noonan

Quang Tin Province

71 AHC
#66-16303
A/C hit by heavy AW fire, exploded in the air and crashed.

18 AUG 69

SP5 James W. Kirksey [CE]

Tay Ninh Province

B/25 AVN
A/C was on a recon mission in Tay Ninh Province when it received hostile ground fire at approx 1500 hours. CE was hit in his pelvis from the enemy fire, and he was admitted to the 12 EVAC located in Cu Chi and succumbed due to cardiac arrest following massive hemorrhage due to the gunshot wound at 2140 hours.

17 AUG 69

SP4 Carl C. Bates Jr [G]
CE injured

Laos

57 AHC
A/C was hit with approx 30 bullet holes killing G in process.

15 AUG 69

PFC Jacky E. Landers [G]
CE injured

Tay Ninh Province

A/25 AVN
#66-16492
A/C was attempting hookup when flares on flamebath ignited. A/C crashed during evasive manuevers, excessive nose low attitude and flare causing T/R strike then M/R strike, coming to rest on left side.

15 AUG 69

WO1 Robert H. Shields II [AC]
WO1 John M. Bozinski [CP]
SP4 Sanchez A. DelValle [CE]
PFC Johnnie Graham Jr [G]
SP4 David B. Lentz
SP4 Raymond G. Masse
CPL Terry K. McDonell
SP4 Ronnie L. Robertson
CPL John G. Smith
CPL William H. Somerville

Quang Ngai Province

174 AHC
#66-00993
A/C was flying formation as trail on a CA in 515 valley when the mast was hit by .51 cal causing M/R separation and tailboom was severed. A/C was on final to LZ at 200', came apart, hit the ground and exploded on hilltop, then rolled on fire down to the bottom of a ravine.

14 AUG 69

1LT Jeffrey C. Elson [AC]
WO1 Melvin L. Grant [CP]
SP4 Richard J. Kilwine [CE]
SGT Jack M. Apodaca [G]
CPL Gil S. Wilfong [G]
SP4 James B. Hiemenz [OB]
1LT Horatio W. Hurston [OB]

Hau Nghia Province

A/25 AVN
#67-19531
A/C hit by 4.2mm mortar.

13 AUG 69

CW2 Lester A. Hansen [P]

Kontum Province

170 AHC
#66-15136
As A/C approached the LZ, it was struck with small arms fire and crashed. Small arms fire caused the rescue helicopter to take off early, with Hansen grabbing the skid, but as the A/C gained altitude, he was unable to maintain his grip and fell about 100-500'.

06 AUG 69

CW2 Robert B. Howard [AC]
WO1 Scott T. Nelson [CP]
SP4 Roy L. Felty [CE]
SP4 Michael W. North [G]
SSG Arthur Grasser (USAF)

Gia Dinh Province

120 AHC
#68-15631
Wire strike over Saigon River near Newport. A/C was observed flying in easterly direction down Saigon River at approx 200' AGL. A/C made an abrupt nose high change in attitude just prior to striking the wires that crossed the river. After wire strike, A/C began falling apart and the fuselage inverted and fell into the river 250 yds downstream. Leading edge of the M/R blade (white) was severed and thrown through the air and eventually struck a life boat aboard SS JAPAN BEAR, some 175 yds downstream. Portions of the M/R blade, UHF antenna and other articles aboard A/C (3 helmets, map case and helmet bag) floated to the surface and were recovered. The fuselage sank in 60' of water.

27 JUL 69

WO1 Eric E. Bergquist [AC]
1LT James A. Carr [PC]
SP4 Thomas A. Hinson [CE]
PFC Jerry R. Dees [G]

Kontum Province

57 AHC
#67-17800
Crashed on surveillance approach into Kontum at night in bad weather. Wreckage was found burning approx 100 meters below the top of a ridgeline.

25 JUL 69

CW2 Stewart B. Goldberg [AC]
SP4 David M. Valdez [G]
CPT Vincent F. Sabatinelli
CPT Elvernon Peele
SFC Jay L. Everett
SP4 Ronald K. Dycks
SGT Gerald E. DuBeau
CPT Arthur T. Pfefer
P & CE injured

Pleiku Province

525 MI GRP
#67-17533
Crashed into the side of Dragon Mountain after going IFR at low altitude.

24 JUL 69

CPT Gregory C. Engel [P]
1 injured

Phuoc Tuy Province

128 AHC
#65-09612
T/R struck revetment at Vung Tau, M/R blade struck groud, transmission came forward, main blade hit pilot in the head.

24 JUL 69

WO1 James D. Earnest [P]
CPT John P. Roe [P]
SP4 Robert L. Glasgow [CE]
SP4 Robert J. Whites [G]
LTC Martin R. Beck
SGT Francis M. Beverly
CPT Louis J. Geneseo

Kien Tuong Province

175 AHC
#66-00879
A/C destroyed by a seed bomb that activated when the A/C hovered over it.

22 JUL 69

WO1 Bernardino F. Genchi [AC]
WO1 Allen E. Starr [CP]
SP4 Larry G. Pool [CE]
SP4 Gail L. Whitlatch [G]

Vinh Long Province

135 AHC
#67-17375
A/C departed Vinh Long as Chalk #8 in flight of 9 enroute to FSB Danger. Approx 2 min after takeoff, A/C had severe vibrations, made a descending turn northward at approx 800 AGL. At 200 AGL, pilot made power application to clear trees when T/R failure occurred. A/C struck ground nearly inverted and caught fire.

17 JUL 69

WO1 Jonathan R. Vars [P]

Tay Ninh Province

15 MED
AK-47 round in the throat just above his chicken plate while on a hoist mission.

17 JUL 69

WO1 Noel K. Garrison [AC]
CPT Lewis D. Probart
4 injured

Phuoc Tuy Province

68 AVN
#66-16828
Lost RPM after vertical climb out of small LZ and crashed into trees.

15 JUL 69

WO1 Fred A. Fedder [P]
SP4 Richard L. Irvin [CE]*
2 crewmembers injured

Phuoc Long Province

B/227 AVN
#66-16736
Engine or transmission failure on CA near Song Be. AC attempted to autorotate into the PZ. A/C landed hard, rupturing fuel cells causing A/C to burst into flames.
* CE died 5 AUG 69 in Houston, TX from burns and injuries sustained in crash.

14 JUL 69

CW2 Ernest D. Burns [AC]
MAJ Thomas M. Felton [P]
SGT Ray G. Davis [CE]
PFC Dewey R. Butler [G]

Binh Duong Province

C/1/9 CAV
#62-02063
A/C was operating with a "Pink Team" when it collided in mid-air with the team's OH-6. A/C exploded and caught fire, and continued in a northwesterly heading until it hit trees and exploded.

08 JUL 69

CPT James N. Crocker Jr [P]
2 injured

Binh Duong Province

MACV Advisors
#66-16880
A/C hit by ground fire after picking up ARVN troops north of Trung An. A/C exploded in the air.

02 JUL 69

CW2 Robert W. Holditch [P]
SP4 Thomas J. Schneider [ME]
SFC Donald L. Tovey [FM]

Quang Tin Province

B/2/17 CAV
#67-17694
A/C was on a test flight after periodic inspection. A/C departed Chu Lai to the south and was found at 0610 hours the next day approx 6 mi NNW of Chu Lai, 200' offshore in 15-20' of water.

27 JUN 69

WO1 Clifford D. Wright [P]

Binh Duong Province

116 AHC
Killed by a single shot to the heart that apparently came through the left cargo door between the armor seat and behind his chicken plate.

19 JUN 69

WO1 Ralph J. Clime [AC]
WO1 Jerrold S. Pearlstein [CP]
SGT Raymond A. Voss [CE]
SGT Henry D. Mathews [G]

Phuoc Long Province

C/229 AHB
#66-16775
Believed shot down by artillery?.

19 JUN 69

WO1 Glenn S. Haukeness Jr [AC]
WO1 Robert A. Williams [CP]
SGT Richard D. Baca [CE]
SP4 Alan M. Rouchon [G]

Long Khanh Province

68 AVN
#66-15184
A/C shot down, crashed and burned 10 km NNW of Gia Ray.

18 JUN 69

WO1 Gary C. Salanitro [AC]
CPT George D. Carr [CP]
SP5 Jose M. DeLaTorre [CE]
SP4 George R. Browning [G]

Quang Ngai Province

282 AHC
?#69-061888
A/C went inverted and crashed leaving LZ after pilot hit in the head by enemy fire.

18 JUN 69

SP4 Enrique T. Enrico [CE]
SGT Robert L. Mingle [G]
1 injured

Binh Long Province

ACT/11 ACR
#66-00525
A/C was on an aerial recon mission when 9 enemy soldiers were spotted moving below. A/C came under intense hostile AW fire as it circled the area. CE leaned out the door to drop smoke grenades on the enemy position and CE & Gunner both leaned out the door and began placing accurate suppressive fire on the hostile positions. A/C was hit by a burst of hostile automatic weapons fire and crashed.

15 JUN 69

WO1 Kish L. Green [P]
SGT Larry D. Lemaster [G]
SGT John E. Lynch
1 other PAX killed
2 crewmembers injured

Long Khanh Province

B/229 AHB
#66-16694
Wire strike on Psyops mission near LZ Rock. Upon striking the wire, A/C flipped 2 times, crashed 106 meters north of the wires, caught fire and burned.

11 JUN 69

SP5 Harry G. Kunkler III [CE]
CPT Ivan H. Munro
GYSGT Robert L. Lockhart (USMC)
2 ARVN PAX killed
8 injured

Quang Ngai Province

282 AHC
#67-17740
Working for Advisory Team II out of Quang Ngai. A/C landed at OP-1 and several people loaded on A/C. Upon takeoff, low rotor RPM resulted. A/C struck the ground tail first approx 150' down the mountain from the pinnacle. Tail boom was severed at this point and fuselage continued to tumble down the embankment and terminated on its back approx 50' from the tail boom. All personnel, except for one was thrown out. Resulting fire ensued destroying A/C.

11 JUN 69

SGT Edwin E. Axton [CE]

Tay Ninh Province

HHC 2 BDE
No details.

06 JUN 69

1LT Joseph Breski Jr [AC]
WO1 Samuel G. Bosenbark [CP]
SP4 John D. Sharp [G]

Binh Long Province

B/1/9 CAV
#68-15585
A/C shot down at Katum airfield, crashed and burned.

05 JUN 69

1LT Jimmy W. Crisp [P]
WO1 Richard J. Holman [P]
SP4 Ronald R. Baker [CE]
SP4 Steven W. Herring [G]

Hau Nghia Province

116 AHC
#66-00552
Hit by small arms fire while at about 150' and went in. One crewman was killed in the crash but the other 3 were able to escape the downed A/C. They were engaged and killed by enemy troops.

04 JUN 69

CPT Gregory G. Fuchs [P]
WO1 Edwin F. Sholar [P]
SP4 Richard L. Barnes [CE]
SP4 Stephen L. Roberts [G]
SGT Robert L. Jennings

Quang Tin Province

A/101 AVN
#66-00819
A/C exploded in flight when a frag grenade the gunner was handling blew up.

04 JUN 69

WO1 Joseph V. Zappini Jr [AC]
WO1 Oscar C. Mayer III [CP]
SP5 Michael D. Turner [CE]
SP4 Patrick Dale Finch [G]

Bien Hoa Province

128 AHC
#63-08550
A/C was on a combat assault mission serving as security for ARVN Rangers and American advisors. Crew sighted a bunker complex and was inbound to pop smoke on the complex. A/C rolled out of bank and nose of acft started to tuck at approx 100' AGL, continued in a gradual nose low condition until the A/C appeared to reach a vertical attitude. A/C held this attitude for a brief second and then continued on over into an inverted attitude at approx 75' AGL, crashed into the river in an inverted position, tail first. Cause of crash was a wire put up by VC.

03 JUN 69

WO1 Walter S. Seddig [AC]
1LT Charles Vale [CP]
SP4 Gregory R. Vogler [CE]
SGT Stephen D. Johnson [G]
WO1 Thomas M. Bonine [PP]
WO1 Donald H. Richardson [PP]

Binh Duong Province

HHC/2 BDE
#67-17809
A/C shot down, crashed and burned shortly after takeoff from Phuoc Vinh.

01 JUN 69

SP4 Michael D. Goeller [G]

Binh Duong Province

116 AHC
#65-09523
A/C hit by ground fire killing the door gunner. A/C did not crash.

31 MAY 69

CPT Dennis M. Phillips [AC]
WO1 Steven L. Martin [CP]
SP4 Byron B. Bowden [CE]
LAC Noel E. Shipp [G] (AUS)

Dinh Tuong Province

135 AHC
#66-00720
A/C crashed directly into ground and exploded after taking multiple ground fire.

23 MAY 69

SP5 Armando Ramirez [CE]
PFC Santiago V.E. Quintana [G]
SGT Howard S. Hill
SP4 Philip W. Strout

Cambodia

155 AHC
#68-15392
A/C hit by ground fire and crashed near Highway 13, 75 miles inside Cambodia.

22 MAY 69

WO1 Robert E. Layman Jr [P]
WO1 Fredrick S. Walters [P]
PFC Jeffery A. Richardson [CE]
SP5 David J. Ewing [MD]

Quang Tin Province

54 MED DET
#66-16473
A/C caught in cross fire of two .50 cal - M/R separation in flight.

22 MAY 69

WO1 Douglas F. Moore [P]

Kontum Province

189 AHC
Hit by .50 cal hostile fire while supporting a unit in contact.

21 MAY 69

WO1 Lawrence M. Stuck [P]

Ba Xugen Province

336 AHC
Shot through the chest de-arming/clearing a minigun on the ground that had no bullet catcher.

21 MAY 69

SP5 Clyde S. Evans [CE]
3 injured

Tay Ninh Province

187 AHC
#67-18574
A/C experienced a T/R failure, probably due to enemy fire, while in route to Tay Ninh to refuel and re-smoke. The A/C crashed and burned.

20 MAY 69

WO1 Benajmin W. Haire [P]
SP4 John M. Randall [CE]
AC rescued

Kontum Province

189 AHC
#66-00508
Engine failure on climbout from Dak To.

15 MAY 69

WO1 Walter R. Stacy [AC]
3 crewmembers injured

Ninh Thuan Province

192 AHC
#66-16250
A/C was at altitude of 5-10' and airspeed of 110-115 KIAS. Upon completing right turn, A/C's right skid made contact with water and/or rock causing the A/C to flip tail over nose into water. Crew survived crash, pilot drowned.

13 MAY 69

WO1 Jeffrey C. Stowe [P]
WO1 Kenneth E. Witmer [P]
SSG John Henry R. Brooks [CE]
SP4 Paul E. Goonan Jr [G]

Binh Dinh Province

129 AHC
#67-17399
Hit land mine in LZ and crashed.

13 MAY 69

1LT Jerry T. Lee [AC]
SP4 James R. Walters [CE]
SP4 James A. Margro [MD]
P injured

Thua Thien Province

326 MED
#67-17844
C/S: DUSTOFF 927
A/C shot down by RPG hitting the M/R blades while airlifting a wounded soldier.

13 MAY 69

CPT Paul R. Lukins [P]

Quang Tin Province

71 AHC
Killed by small arms fire while sitting in LZ in 196 AO.

12 MAY 69

SGT Lawrence R. Shepard [C]
PFC James E. Isaac Jr [C]
1 injured

Kien Hoa Province

174 AHC
#64-13663
A/C was caught in crossfire between two .51 cal machineguns near OD lake, took multiple hits and tailboom separated and A/C partially inverted hit the ground.

12 MAY 69

SP5 Denis G. Schmidt [CE]
3 crewmembers injured

Quang Ngai Province

174 AHC
#66-15162
A/C crashed and rolled down a hill as the crew attempted to snatch an enemy flag from a pole that was booby-trapped and was detonated as the A/C hovered over it.

10 MAY 69

WO1 Allan E. Stahlstrom [AC]
WO1 Roy S. Thomas [CP]
SP5 Marcus R. Byous [CE]
SP4 Paul N. Kupchinskas [G]

Hau Nghia Province

B/25 AVN
#66-15085
Gunship was shot down by ground fire and burned south of Cu Chi.

04 MAY 69

1LT James P. Flagella [AC]
WO1 Milton W. Remmler Jr [CP]
SGT Don L. Ross [CE]
SGT Norman L. Plemmons [G]

Bien Hoa Province

B/227 AVN
#68-19529
Mid-air with UH-1 #67-17818 on short final to LZ.

WO1 Michael E. LeMaster [AC]
1LT William D. Britton [CP]
SGT Robert L. Thomas [CE]
SGT Billy R. Stubbs [G]

B/227 AVN
#67-17818
Mid-air with UH-1 #68-19529 on short final to LZ.

02 MAY 69

SGT Frederick J. Follette [G]

Hau Nghia Province

116 AHC
Killed in action in the Cu Chi area near the Cambodian border. No further details.

28 APR 69

SP4 Roy E. Parker [G]
3 wounded

Binh Long Province

A/1 AVN
#67-17525
A/C was one of 3 aircraft that were responding to rescue soldiers who were part of the Quan Loi convoy (538 TC) hauling JP4 that were ambushed by NVA. Gunner was killed by RPG during the rescue attempt.

27 APR 69

SP6 Larry D. Lowery [CE]
SP5 James D. Crow [OB]
SP5 William J. McFarland [OB]
SP5 Alan B. Denhoff [G]
2 injured

Khanh Hoa Province

201 AVN
#66-16008
A/C flew into the Nha Trang Bay while searching for another Huey crash. It broke up on impact and sank, leaving a fuel fire on the surface.

26 APR 69

SSG James R. Dorsey Jr [CE]

Thua Thien Province

B/158 AVN
Struck by an RPG in LZ Airborne.

25 APR 69

CPT David W. Watson [P]
1 injured

Thua Thien Province

A/158 AVN
#67-17640
Killed by mortar or RPG fire 2nd night after being shot down in LZ Airborne.

25 APR 69

CW2 Elton L. Searcy [P]

Thua Thien Province

A/158 AVN
Killed by mortar or RPG fire, 2nd night after being shot down in LZ Airborne.

24 APR 69

WO1 James A. Brown II [P]

Thua Thien Province

C/4/77 ARA
No details.

23 APR 69

CW2 Stephen R. Peterson [AC]
WO1 Allan D. Eyler [CP]
SP5 Thomas J. Watts [CE]
SP4 Julian W. Berg [G]

Binh Duong Province

B/1 AVN
#66-15203
Mid-air collision during night combat assault in Ben Suc area.

WO1 Roger M. Auld Jr [P]
CPT Arnold Sanford [P]
SP5 Troy D. Faulkner [CE]
SP4 Donald O. McGraw [G]
7 PAX killed

173 AHC
#66-00802
Mid-air collision on night combat assault in the Ben Suc area.

23 APR 69

SP4 Otto P. Barnhart [CE]
SGT Henry W. Cardwell [G]
SSG Julian D. Dedman
SP4 James P. Heim
SP4 John F. Koehler
SFC William F. Rocco
SP4 John W. Tiderencel
P & CP injured

Thua Thien Province

C/2/17 CAV
#67-17697
A/C was lead ship taking in the aero-rifle platoon on the first attempt to open FB Airborne. Two engineers with chainsaws and det cord needed to rappel to drop one last tree. Enemy fire severed a high pressure fuel line at a 60' hover. A/c nosed over and followed a stream bed down the mountain. Blades slowed and tail boom struck a small waterfall. A/C hammer-headed and then exploded. A/C broke aft of pilot's seats and slung the pilots forward.

22 APR 69

SP5 Arthur W. Smith [CE]

Quang Tri Province

B/158 AVN
#67-17656
Struck by an RPG.

20 APR 69

CW2 Carl M. Creal [AC]
1 injured

Hau Nghia Province

118 AHC
#66-15029
C/S: BANDIT 3
AK-47 head wound at Gau Do Hau.

20 APR 69

CPT Robert C. Boucher [P]

Kien Giang Province

A/7/1 CAV
No details.

16 APR 69

WO1 William M. Konyu [P]
3 injured

Quang Nam Province

B/101 AVN
#66-16343
A/C was on a combat mission and on final approach to the LZ received intense enemy fire. The windshield on the pilot's side was shattered. Pilot was seen to throw up his hands and slump forward over the controls and the A/C subsequently crashed, rolled over on its side and burned (YC752591).

15 APR 69

WO1 Terrence J. Mortensen [P]
WO1 Jerone J. Warnick [P]
SP5 Doyle D. Dunbar [CE]
MAJ Neal W. Lovsnes Jr
CPT Robert A. Young Jr
SP5 Herbert S. Hildebrand

Thua Thien Province

C/158 AVN
#67-17614
A/C was flying an early morning "sniffer" mission when they hit a large tree and exploded.

12 APR 69

LTC Walter L. Pritchard Jr [P]

Quang Ngai Province

HHC/3/1/11 BDE
Killed by small arms fire while on a recon mission.

10 APR 69

SP4 George A.F. Dasho Jr [G]
SGT Larry D. Chandler
6 injured

Dinh Tuong Province

191 AHC
#65-10127
Chalk #2 of 4 aircraft. Shortly after loading troops, A/C took off and pilots heard a bang from the engine area. A/C lost power and altitude, struck the ground, tail and T/R separated separated from fuselage, then M/R blades separated and the right skid was ripped off. A/C spun to the right and came to rest on right side. Fatalities were pinned under the wreckage.

09 APR 69

WO1 David R. Crow IV [P]

Khanh Hoa Province

48 AHC
MO was standing on top of a UH-1H trying to attach the sling from a CH-47 to the G nut. A/C was in an LZ where the Korean White Horse Div. had been inserting troops. While they were trying to get the Huey out, they started receiving fire from a VC hidden in elephant grass. While MO was standing on A/C, it was hit and the fuel tanks blew up.

04 APR 69

SP4 Edward A. Hopkins [CE]

Thua Thien Province

B/101 AVN
No details.

01 APR 69

SP4 Alvin L. Gay [CE]
1 injured

Vietnam

57 AHC
#67-17817
A/C was trying to climb out of a hot LZ and sustained .50 cal hits causing the engine to fail. The pilot entered autorotation but the terrain did not permit a successful termination and the aircraft crashed and burned. CE sustained fatal .50 cal wound.

01 APR 69

CW2 Michael G. Taylor [AC]
WO1 Dale A. Yateman [CP]
SP4 Philip C. Stafford [CE]
SP4 Barry L. Golden [G]
SP5 Terry W. Dickerhoff
SP5 Rex E. Rader
2 injured

Gia Dinh Province

120 AHC
#66-17042
Hit telephone pole, crashed and burned during autorotation after engine failure.

31 MAR 69

WO1 Theodore V. Thoman [AC]
SP4 Wayne H. Russell [G]
5 injured

Binh Thuan Province

192 AHC
#66-16244
A/C was on mountain resupply mission at Whiskey Relay. Immediately after landing on the pad, the nose of A/C started to come up and and A/C began to spin in a tail low attitude. After spinning 3 or 4 times, the tailboom struck a tree stump and cabin separated from tailboom and both rolled downhill in different directions, with cabin bursting into flames.

30 MAR 69

PFC Christopher L. Dellapina [G]

Tay Ninh Province

2 BDE
No details.

28 MAR 69

1LT Wilofard A. McClain [AC]
1LT Eric V. Pulliam [P]
SP4 Ronald F. Ricciardo [CE]
G injured

Thua Thien Province

 

C/101 AVN
#66-16284
A/C was to recon mountainous terrain in or near the A Shau Valley. While flying low and slow over tree tops, they took hostile fire. G jumped out near tree top level and rescued later.

27 MAR 69

WO1 Bard E. Davenport [AC]
WO1 William D. Potter [CP]
SGT Allan G. Harper [CE]
SP5 John B. Waller [C]
1Lt William B. Bell

Binh Long Province

C/1/9 CAV
#66-16714
A/C shot down by hostile fire at XT636587.

26 MAR 69

SP5 William W. Schoth II [CE]
3 injured

Sa Dec Province

A/9 AVN
#67-17172
No details.

26 MAR 69

WO1 Douglas E. Stover [AC]
WO1 Guy F. Johnson [CP]
SP4 Gregory L. Habets [CE]
SP5 Carlos W. Rucker [MD]

Khanh Hoa Province

254 MED DET
#66-17016
A/C took an RPG into the main cabin while on a Dustoff mission.

23 MAR 69

SP5 Tommy L. Barnes [CE]
4 injured

Long Khanh Province

117 AHC
#66-16081
A/C took fire on resupply mission from FSB Kate. A/C arrived at LZ, 6km NW of FSB Kate and circled several times prior to approach on a N heading. A/C terminated approach at a hover between 5-30' and started to have blade strikes. A/C unloaded at 5' hover and were taking off to the N. A/C started vibrating and at approx 60-75', made a left turn, M/R struck a tree limb resulting in a crash on the left front side 30m W of LZ.

22 MAR 69

SP4 Alley O. Stephens [CE]
3 injured

Kontum Province

A/4 AVN BN
#67-17400
A/C hit by B-40 rocket during rescue and recovery mission. A/C crashed and exploded.

21 MAR 69

WO1 David E. Herschbach [AC]
SP5 Earl M. Matthews [CE]
CPT George E. Menninger
CPT Robert E. O'Brien
1LT Leonard L. Preston Jr

Tay Ninh Province

2 BDE 1 CAV
#66-16926
No details.

21 MAR 69

CPT Michael K. Thompson [P]
SP5 Gerald R. Thompson [ME]

Binh Duong Province

173 AHC
#66-00742
A/C was seen to execute a rapid rate of descent with a slight left turn. During last third of the flight, the rate of descent increased with a slight nose low attitude. Witnesses stated M/R blades were turning very slowly and the flight path was near vertical. Impact was at a slight nose low left bank with a relatively high rate of descent. A/C impacted the ground with enough forward speed to have a ground run of 32' before hitting a tree stump and mound of dirt. A/C spun to the right 150 degrees and moved forward another 17' and came to rest and caught fire.

21 MAR 69

CPT Richard C. Benicewicz [P]
1LT Robert A. Dalton [P]
SP5 Rene A. Santos [CE]
SP4 Dale L. Stock [G]

Binh Dinh Province

61 AHC
#66-15130
M/R seizure and separation from A/C departing LZ English.

21 MAR 69

1LT Thomas M. Newman [AC]
1LT Thomas E. Jones Jr [CP]
SP4 Franklin D. Ashley II [CE]
PFC Robert E. Pierson [G]

Hau Nghia Province

335 AHC
#66-16928
While in formation departing Blackhorse, went IFR and crashed.

21 MAR 69

WO1 Robert A. Baetzel [P]
1LT Harry H. Gibson [P]
SGT Ted D. Mills [CE]
SP4 Albert O. Krausser [G]

Hau Nghia Province

335 AHC
#67-17354
Crashed into the side of a hill after flying into fog bank during early morning formation takeoff from Blackhorse.

20 MAR 69

WO1 Vaughn D. Connell [P]
2 crewmembers injured

Quang Tri Province

B/101 AVN
#68-15340
A/C hit by mortar and small arms fire on Marine recon.

15 MAR 69

1LT Jeffrey L. Whynaught [AC]
SP5 John W. Price [CE]
SP4 Edgar G. McAdams [G]

Chuong Thien Province

175 AHC
#66-15159
A/C hit by enemy fire and caught fire.

12 MAR 69

SP4 Thomas E. Hacker [CE]

Thua Thien Province

A/158 AHB
CE shot and kiled by SA fire during a CA into FSB Veghel.

11 MAR 69

WO1 Larry L. Stoner [P]
SP4 John L. Bendor [G]
3 injured

Phu Yen Province

129 AHC
#68-15371
WARNING: Clicking on this icon will display graphic image of crash site.
A/C was flying from Miami Beach to Lane AHP in flight of two. A/C was cruising at approx 100' AGL while other ship was at 200-400' AGL. Pilot decided to try and fly under a railroad bridge that crossed the river. M/R mast struck a vertical I beam and the mast sheared off just below the dampeners, rolled inverted and hit the ground and spun 180 deg coming to rest 60m from bridge.

09 MAR 69

CW2 David A. Poley [AC]
1LT Daniel J. O'Neill [CP]
SP5 Charles P. Girard [CE]
SP4 Dennis A. Ormond [G]
PFC Richard D. Shields (USMC)

Quang Tri Province

B/101 AVN
#66-17121
A/C crashed after entering cloud bank on mountain while on a resupply mission to USMC FSB Winchester.

03 MAR 69

SP4 Steven M. Hickman [CE]
SP4 Weyman T. Cook [G]
SP4 George M. Binns
1LT Harry T. Harrison
MAJ Darryl E. McCartney
2LT Michael D. Sams
SP4 Wayne W. Teeple
AC & P injured

Vinh Long Province

114 AHC
#67-17287
A/C crashed and then burst into flames due to M/R strike on building during aborted takeoff.

01 MAR 69

WO1 Ray R. Davis [AC]
WO1 Edward L. Harris [CP]
SP4 Donn P. Zarina [CE]
SP4 David E. Schulze [G]
CPL James A. Craft
CPL David E. Lovegren
SP4 Thomas L. Gaines III
SGT Rodney M. Goode
SP4 Jimmy R. Gross
2 injured

Quang Ngai Province

174 AHC
#65-10020
A/C was being used to exchange personnel on an OP. A/C was on second trip with remainder of personnel and equipment. Approach was started on a NW heading, putting acft downwind, causing acft to overshoot. Pilot tried to make a pedal turn and a loss of power resulted causing A/C to lose altitude. Approx 50m downhill the M/R struck the ground, then fuselage made impact and started to break apart and burn.

01 MAR 69

SP5 John C. Schiffhauer [CE]

Kontum Province

119 AHC
Shot in "Cold" LZ (Swinger) in Plei Trap.

27 FEB 69

WO1 Terry L. Crawford [P]

Darlac Province

155 AHC
Killed by small arms fire.

24 FEB 69

WO1 Angus W. McAllister Jr [AC]
WO1 Merle Floyd Butler II [CP]
SP5 Richard W. Ford [CE]
SP4 Jon Bailey [G]

Quang Tin Province

176 AHC
#63-12999
Hit by .50 cal and lost rotor at 2000' while on division arty resupply milkrun.

21 FEB 69

CPT Harry Q. Rose [AC]
WO1 Peter P. Polak [CP]
SP5 Everett N. Wilsher [CE]
SP4 William B. Scott [G]

Hau Nghia Province

116 AHC
#66-00661
A/C crashed near Go De Hau bridge because of pitch change link failure and M/R came through cockpit and severed tailboom at 1000'.

21 FEB 69

SP4 Richard J. Rochacz [MD]

Binh Dinh Province

498 MED
No details.

18 FEB 69

SGT Patrick J. Ronan [CE]
4 injured

Phu Yen Province

281 AHC
A/C crashed due to engine failure in a hostile area about 25 miles SW of Tuy Hoa Air Base, SVN while hovering to pick up a LRRP team.

16 FEB 69

WO1 Thomas J. Casey Jr [P]
3 crewmembers injured

Binh Long Province

B/229 AVN
#68-15286
The engine quit during climb out. Crew radioed problem and attempted to return to the airfield. Tailboom hit a tree, crashed and burned.

16 FEB 69

SP4 Kenneth J. Lewis [CE]
Several injured

Binh Thuan Province

192 AHC
#66-16249
A/C came to Phan Thiet shot up with no hydraulics and upon landing T/B separated, lost control and crashed.

16 FEB 69

WO1 Arthur L. Papale [AC]
WO1 Normand P. Perron [P]
SP4 Rick A. Oliver [CE]
SP4 Larry M. Alcos [G]
4 LRRP killed

Kontum Province

57 AHC
#66-16091
A/C was attempting to insert a LRRP team in an LZ 1 mi NE of Polei Kleng when it received enemy ground fire. Pilot radioed on climb out that controls were erratic. A/C began a slow spiral descent, crashed and burned on impact.

15 FEB 69

SP4 Franklin B. Gilbert [CE]
SP4 James T. Fields
PFC Francis K. Kulbatski
SGT Dennis C. North
SGT Harold R. Tyson

Tay Ninh Province

A/1/9 CAV
#67-17727
No details.

14 FEB 69

SP4 Gary L. Dubach [CE]
SP4 Stephen L. Schumacher [MD]

Binh Long Province

15 MED BN
#67-17174
A/C was on medevac mission to pick up wounded soldiers from 1/9 CAV battle when it was shot down. When A/C hit the ground, the skids broke off and came to a rest at an angle. CE was hit in the back of the head by M/R blade when he ran out to set up perimeter. MD was also killed in the same manner when he rushed to CE’s aid.

13 FEB 69

1LT Dana R. Barker [CP]

Kontum Province

198 BDE
Hit in the chest by AW fire as Brigade C&C ship was delivering packs and resupply to D/1/52 INF.

11 FEB 69

SP4 Kirk A. Woolley [G]

Tay Ninh Province

15 MED BN
A/C was on a rescue mission when gunner volunteered to descend on hoist to assist in extraction of the wounded individual who became stranded in trees during earlier rescue attempt. The hoist became caught in the jungle canopy while being raised causing A/C to tilt severely. The cable was severed to avoid a crash and gunner and wounded fell to the ground.

06 FEB 69

SP4 William S. Ogden [G]

Ninh Thuan Province

134 AHC
#66-16319
A/C was conducting a CA with ROK units near Phan Rang. A/C was Chalk 3 of 3 and was going around the Huey shot down (#66-16326 below) when it was hit by a hail of gun fire hitting the G in the neck.

06 FEB 69

WO2 William M. Harrison [AC]
2 injured

Ninh Thuan Province

134 AHC
#66-16326
A/C was lead ship of 3 on CA with ROK units near Phan Rang when it was hit by B-40 rocket as it landed in LZ.

06 FEB 69

1LT David E. Padgett [AC]
CW2 Charles I. Stanley [CP]
SP5 Robert C. O'Hara [CE]
PFC Eugene F. Christiansen [G]
LTC Donald E. Parsons
1LT Ronald D. Briggs
MAJ Vu Vanh Phao (ARVN)

Quang Tri Province

282 AHC
#67-17499
Flight crashed while returning due to poor weather conditions and reduced visibility. Last reported position YD182212.

05 FEB 69

WO1 William E. Boehm [AC]
WO1 George E. Hayward [CP]
SP4 Timothy M. Harrington [CE]
SP4 John E. Nordell Jr [G]

Thua Thien Province

2 BDE
#67-19530
A/C shot down, crashed and burned.

05 FEB 69

WO1 William C. Hix Jr [P]
CPT Otha L. Poole [P]
SP4 James R. McNish [CE]
SP4 Gary M. Johnson [MD]

Long Khanh Province

45 MED
#67-17167 DUSTOFF 13
A/C was on a night hoist mission in support of ARVN near Xuan Loc when it was hit by a B-40 and exploded while at a high hover attempting an extraction.

04 FEB 69

SP4 Benjamin H. Binegar Jr [CE]

Dinh Tuong Province

162 AHC
CE was flushing water through A/C engine after returning from mission when he stood up while on the engine deck and was hit by the turning M/R blade.

01 FEB 69

WO1 Jackson D. Barnes [CP]
CPT Thomas E. Nichols
SP5 James H. Ward
2 PAX killed
5 injured

Hau Nghia Province

190 AHC
#66-00845
On takeoff, A/C commenced forward flight into a southerly wind. After about 130' of travel the M/R blade struck a flagpole, ripping the transmission from the A/C. The fuselage continued forward and impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude.

28 JAN 69

SP4 Dennis L. Bolton [CE]
3 crewmembers injured

Phong Dinh Province

114 AHC
#66-15013
A/C took hits during the firing run, engine lost power, crashed hard, bounced back up into the air briefly before hitting some trees coming to rest on the left side. CE was pinned underneath aircraft.

27 JAN 69

WO1 Walter L. Ferrell [AC]
8 injured

Thua Thien Province

D/1/1 CAV
#67-17330
A/C was hovering to insert a LRRP team in a 100' hole LZ. A/C moved slightly left and may have struck a tree. A/C then moved laterally to the right and suddenly rolled into a right, nose low attitude and crashed, coming to rest inverted, striking several trees in its roll, and caught fire upon hitting the ground.

24 JAN 69

WO1 William H. McDonnell [AC]
WO1 Scott C. Griswold [CP]
SP4 Bruce W. Westmoreland [CE]
SP4 John O. Tafoya [G]

Binh Dinh Province

170 AHC
#66-00579
A/C hit by B-40 rocket, crashed and burned.

23 JAN 69

WO1 Arvid O. Silverberg Jr [AC]
WO1 Sylvester Davis [CP]
PFC Robert R. Sloppye [CE]
SFC William R. Henderson [MD]
SSG Robert L. Luster
SSG Frank D. Moorman
SP4 Edward Smith Jr
1 injured

Pleiku Province

283 MED DET
#66-16217
Hit by B-40 rocket while performing MEDEVAC hoist mission out of Pleiku.

18 JAN 69

WO1 James E. Ellingson [AC]
WO1 Kenneth W. Peters [P]
SP5 David Williams Jr [CE]
SP4 John R. Bartlett [G]

Phong Dinh Province

175 AHC
#66-17077
Hit by small arms fire.

16 JAN 69

CPT David A. Carlin [P]
CW2 George F. Lapan [P]
SP5 John C. Deaton [CE]
SP4 Paul R. Dew [G]
SP5 Fredrick L. Holder
SP5 John Mirich
PFC Jon O. Osheim

Binh Duong Province

A/227 AVN
#66-16302
WARNING: Clicking on this icon will display graphic image of crash site.
Crashed after dropping a sling load (see-saw for an orphanage).

14 JAN 69

WO1 Richard P. Yanchuk Jr [P]
3 crewmembers injured

Thua Thien Province

A/377 ARTY
#66-16172
A/C crashed into rice paddy NE of Phu Bia turned upside down trapped crew member. M/R blade came through green house decapitating pilot.

15 JAN 69

1LT Nicholas J. Swidonovich [AC]
CPT William A. Currence [CP]
SP4 Francis H. Corwin [CE]
SP4 Ronald D. Slayton [G]
COL Michael M. Spark (USMC)
SGM Ted E. McClintock (USMC)
LCP Frederick D. Kansik (USMC)
LTC Ermil L. Whisman (USMC)

Quang Nam Province

HHC/212 CAB
#66-16205
A/C was tasked to provide airlift for the CO, 3rd Marine Reg, and the CO, 1/12 Marines, during Operation Taylor Common. As the A/C was lifting off from an LZ it was hit by enemy fire and crashed.

11 JAN 69

WO1 Laurence D. Worthington [P]

Ninh Thuan Province

48 AHC
#62-02012
Killed by small arms fire.

08 JAN 69

1LT Alan C. Gilles [AC]
WO1 Jon P. Roche [CP]
SP4 Robert D. Case [CE]
SP4 Steven D. Bartman [G]
SSG Gerald F. Apperson
SP4 Bill F. Williams Jr

Kontum Province

170 AHC
#66-16323
A/C received hits in the main transmission while climbing out of the PZ with some FOB-2 SF on board. Transmission seized enroute to Ben Het SF Camp.

07 JAN 69

WO1 Kenneth R. Clough [P]
1 injured

Chuong Thien Province

336 AHC
#66-15034
Killed by ground fire.

04 JAN 69

SP4 James R. Macy [G]

Chuong Thien Province

336 AHC
No details.

03 JAN 69

WO1 Ronald S. McCrary [P]
1 PAX killed
4 injured

Tuyen Duc Province

155 AVN
#66-16527
Crashed into a mountain between Ban Me Thuot and Dalat after going IFR in low clouds.

03 JAN 69

WO1 William S. Childers [AC]
SLT Anthony J. Huelin [CP](AUS)
SP4 Ernest D. Dodson [CE]
SP4 Larry R. McPherson [G]

Bien Hoa Province

135 AHC
#66-01112
Hit wires near to Duc Water Plant, A/C crashed and exploded.

02 JAN 69

WO1 Dean F. Bolhouse [AC]
SP5 Melvin D. Morgan Jr [CE]
WO1 Robert W. Jantz [PP]
WO1 Charles E. Sellner [PP]
SP4 Willey E. Williams Jr
PFC Murphy Pleasant Jr

Hau Nghia Province

116 AHC
#66-00968
Lost tail rotor and spun in on way back to Cu Chi.

01 JAN 69

SFC Rodney J. T. Yano [CE]
1 injured

Bien Hoa Province

11 ACR
#66-00528
Grenade prematurely detonated inside A/C. CE began throwing burning ammunition out of the C&C helicopter after being wounded by grenade and other rounds.

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NOTE:
Most information for Vietnam crew losses have come from the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
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