Military Service or SS Number: 18740592
Service Branch: Army
Component within Service Branch: Reserve
Rank: SP4
Grade: E4
Military Occupational Specialty: 67A1F
Age: 21
Home of Record: NORTH LITTLE ROCK
State of Record: AR
Casualty Date: 27 Jul 1968
Casualty Type: Hostile
Reason for Casualty: Air Loss Crash Land
Air, Land, or Sea Casualty: Helicopter Crew
Body Recovered: ---
Country of Casualty: South Vietnam
Province of Casualty: 14(Phouc Long)
Length of Service at Casualty: 02
Birth Date: 12 Oct 1946
Race: C
Religion: PN
Married: Single
Gender: Male
Citizenship Status: 1
Tour Date:660406
Panel Location on Memorial: 50W
Line on Memorial Panel: 016
Reference Number: 16075
Processing Date: 6807
Comments
WO - W1 - Army - Reserve
22 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Dec 01, 1945
From PHOENIX, ARIZONA
Length of service 2 years.
His tour of duty began on Nov 15, 1967
Casualty was on Aug 13, 1968
in PHUOC LONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died of wounds
HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD
Panel 48W - - Line 5
VHPA INFO: Class 67-17. Cause: A/C accident
SSGT - E6 - Army - Regular
36 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Apr 28, 1928
From BARTLESVILLE, OKLAHOMA
Length of service 14 years.
Casualty was on Sep 04, 1964
SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
METHODIST
Panel 01E - - Line 63
The James E. Bailey Compound named in honor of SSG James E. Bailey. Go to the Bio of his remarkable life in the U.S. Army Page 12 of "I Remember when....."
SP4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service
22 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jan 11, 1944
From JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Nov 18, 1965
Casualty was on Aug 14, 1966
SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 10E - - Line 3
WO - W1 - Army - Reserve
21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Sep 01, 1947
From PHOENIX, ARIZONA
His tour of duty began on Apr 01, 1968
Casualty was on Oct 06, 1968
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died of wounds
HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT
Panel 41W - - Line 17
VHPA INFO: Class 67-503/67-23 Cause: AK-47 round in back of head,
A/C crashed--Crew survived.
PFC - E3 - Army - Regular
22 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jan 30, 1942
From CARIBOU, MAINE
Casualty was on Nov 01, 1964
SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ARTILLERY, ROCKET, or MORTAR
Body was recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT
Panel 01E - - Line 70
PFC Richard Perley Bubar, MOS-67N20,was killed in the mortar attack on Bien Hoa Airbase that took place about 12:26 a.m. on 1 Nov 1964. Four others were also killed in the attack. Also killed were Thomas Joseph Hanley, Ronald Thomas O'Keefe, Harry Joseph Sickler and LTC Thomas Daniel Whitlock.
Military Service or SS Number:
16765426
Service Branch: Army
Component within Service Branch: Reserve
Rank: SP4
Grade: E4
Military Occupational Specialty: CrewChief
Age: 20
Home of Record: INDIANAPOLIS
State of Record: IN
Casualty Date: 14 Aug 1964
Casualty Type: Non Hostile, died of other causes
Reason for Casualty: Air Loss Crash Land
Air, Land, or Sea Casualty: Helicopter Crew
Body Recovered: Yes
Country of Casualty: South Vietnam
Lenght of Service at Casualty: 01
Birth Date: 15 Jul 1944
Race: Caucasian
Religion: PN
Married: S
Gender: M
Panel Location on Memorial: 01E
Line on Memorial Panel: 061
Reference Number: 56
Processing Date: 6408
Comments:
According to Pat McLarney and from 118th history for period June 1963-December 1964, SP4 James Edward Caughey was killed when the UH-1B (62-2051) he was Crew Chief in crashed while landing on the summit of Nue Ba Dinh or Tay Ninh Mountain. The weather was not good and there was some fog.
SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular
24 year old Married, Negro, Male
Born on Jan 13, 1943
From NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Length of service 4 years.
His tour of duty began on May 15, 1966
Casualty was on Mar 09, 1967
SOUTH VIETNAM
Non-Hostile, died missing
HELICOPTER - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 16E - - Line 44
McKinley Caughman shows to have been assigned to the 71st AHC, who had been moved to Chu Lai in 3-9-67, however, was killed on board the aircraft that went into the Saigon river at Na Be with WO Ketner and others.
SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular
1st AVN BDE
22 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Apr 17, 1945
From DEEP GAP, NORTH CAROLINA
Length of service 2 years.
His tour of duty began on May 27, 1967
Casualty was on Feb 12, 1968
in BIEN HOA, SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ACCIDENTAL HOMICIDE
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST
Panel 39E - - Line 3
Note: From Donald Goodwin who served with Alvin Church:
daag@gte.net
12455 SE 143rd Pl.
Portland, OR 97236 USA
"I was the first to get to Alvin after he was wounded. We
got him on my helicopter and flew him to the Long Bien medevac
pad in just minutes. I do not think he know what had hit him.
He went into shock by the time I got to him on the flight line
where he was accidentally shot while taking the guns from the
aircraft. He had blacked out. He never came to while we were transporting
him. I only knew him for three days, but I will remember him and
his smile as long as I live. I pray for his folks and family."
Thursday, June 08, 2000
SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular
25th Infantry Division
19 year old Single, Negro, Male
Born on Mar 25, 1945
From JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
Length of service 1 year.
Casualty was on Feb 10, 1965
SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST
Panel 01E - - Line 88
Horace Cleveland Collins was a 25th Div. "Shot Gunner" TDY to the 118th.
PFC - E3 - Army - Regular
1st AVN BDE
DOB: Aug 31, 1949
From: PITTSBURG, CA
Religion: METHODIST
Marital Status: Married
Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Aug 2, 1969
Casualty was on Mar 21, 1970
In LONG AN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died of wounds, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Panel 12W - Line 29
Additional info provided by Michael Mueller who served with
PFC Clifford Newton Green. The incident happened in early 1970.
The ship was undamaged and Green was the only casualty. Not all
deaths were traceable to incident reports if the aircraft was
not damaged. Green took a bullet
that would have been for me had I made the flight. It's not something
you can forget. I always heard that he didn't die until several
weeks later in Japan. 12-02-2008
DECEASED 29 May 1982(after returning
to the US)
Branch/Rank: UNITED STATES ARMY/E4
Unit: 118th AHC,145th CAB, 12th GP, 1st AVN Bde
Date of Birth: 22 Jul 48
Home City of Record: GEORGETOWN CA
Date of Loss: 27-November-68
Country of Loss: CAMBODIA
Loss Coordinates: 110735 North 1060800 East
Status (in 1973): Returnee
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: UH1F #7942(Unsure this entry)
Missions:
Other Personnel in Incident: Gene Stuifbergen, KIA/BNR(USAF, but
why?)
Refno: 1332
Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following:
raw
data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with
POW/MIA
families, published sources, interviews and CACCF = Combined Action
Combat Casualty File.
REMARKS: RELEASED BY SIHANOUK 01/06/69
WO - W1 - Army - Reserve
21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Aug 08, 1945
From BIG SANDY, MONTANA
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Sep 26, 1966
Casualty was on Oct 30, 1966
SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD
Panel 11E - - Line 130
VHPA INFO: Class 66-11 Cause: .51 cal in groin. Died before getting on ground. Flying with Robert E. Hoffman.
PFC - E3 - Army - Selective Service
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Feb 07, 1944
From WOODSIDE, NEW YORK
Casualty was on Nov 01, 1964
SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ARTILLERY, ROCKET, or MORTAR
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 01E - - Line 70
PFC Thomas Joseph Hanley, MOS-94B20, was killed in the mortar
attack on Bien Hoa Airbase that took place about 12:26 a.m. on
1 Nov 1964. Four others were also killed in the attack. Also killed
were Richard Perley Bubar, Ronald Thomas O'Keefe, Harry Joseph
Sickler and LTC Thomas Daniel Whitlock.
Name: SP5 Ronald David Heck
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/25/70 while performing
the duty of Crew Chief.
Age at death: 21.6
Date of Birth: 07/02/48
Home City: Grenloch, NJ
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 1 AVN BDE
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 14W-065
Aircraft: UH-1C tail number 66-15132
SSN: 136422293
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67N2F = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer
Major attributing cause: connected with a booby trap
Compliment cause: unknown or not reported
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: crew chief
Started Tour: 10/27/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other
aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Long An Province III Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Protestant - no denominational preference
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining
this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category
of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 05/25/98
Military Service or SS Number: O99472
Service Branch: A
Component within Service Branch: R
Rank: 1LT
Grade: O2
Military Occupational Specialty: 71542
Age: 29
Home of Record: SAN JOSE
State of Record: CA
Casualty Date: 08 May 1965
Casualty Type: Hostile
Reason for Casualty: Aircraft
Air, Land, or Sea Casualty: Helicopter Crew
Country of Casualty: S. Vietnam
Lenght of Service at Casualty: 08
Birth Date: 21 Nov 1935
Race: C
Religion: PN
Married: M
Gender: M
Citizenship Status: 1
Panel Location on Memorial: 01E
Line on Memorial Panel: 111
Reference Number: 260
Processing Date: 6505
Comments: 1LT John William Irving, Jr. was the Platoon Commander
of the 118th "Shot Gun" Platoon and was serving as a
door gunner at the time of his death. He was TDY to the 118th
for three months from the 25th Inf. Div. in Hawaii.
WO - W1 - Army - Reserve
22 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jul 29, 1944
From SCHNECKSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA
His tour of duty began on Jun 21, 1966
Casualty was on Sep 12, 1966
SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD
Panel 10E - - Line 88
VHPA INFO: Class 66-5W Cause: Hit by VC automatic weapons fire near Trang Bang.
1LT - O2 - Army - Reserve
26 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Aug 01, 1937
From SPOKANE, WASHINGTON
Length of service 8 years.
Casualty was on Aug 30, 1963
SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 01E - - Line 27
VHPA Info: Class 61-10, Also killed was CPT James Wenzel. Crew members PFC Martino and SP4 Parham survived. CH-21C, 55-04212
Info from Chad Payne: The operation was a max effort of 15 Shawnees to stage out of Tay Ninh for a series of Combat Assaults in that area. MAJ. Hayes briefed the company to fly to Tay Ninh at tree top level, in three Vee's of five ships each. The MAJ was to stay overhead in a L-19, controlling the mission. On passing over the Iron Triangle, the lead ship of the second Vee suddenly pitched nose up, rolled to it's side and crashed in an open area. Wenzel and Lang were killed, the enlisted crew were wounded. The remainder of the second serial landed in the open area and set about recovering the crew of the downed ship. They had landed in the middle of a Bn of hardcore VC and one hell of a fight ensued. Before they got out of that clearing, they were actually "butt stroking" VC off their aircraft. They lost several more aircraft after they got to Tay Ninh and flew the mission. We called that day "Black Thursday".
SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular
1st AVN BDE
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Dec 24, 1947
From HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Aug 14, 1967
Casualty was on Mar 01, 1968
in LONG KHANH, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST
Panel 42E - - Line 19
Note: Email on June 29, 2001 from Don Goodwin, member of the 118th AHC at the time of Stanley Lewter's death, states that he was KIA by a sniper round to the throat while landing in a LZ near Xuan Loc. Any additional info would be appreciated. Webmaster.
PVT - E2 - Army - Regular
19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Dec 29, 1947
From CHESAPEAKE, VIRGINIA
His tour of duty began on Nov 25, 1967
Casualty was on Nov 25, 1967
SOUTH VIETNAM
Non-Hostile, died missing
GROUND CASUALTY
Body was not recovered
Religion
PRESBYTERIAN
Panel 30E - - Line 86
PVT - E2 - Army - Regular
18 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Aug 09, 1944
From NEDERLAND, TEXAS
Casualty was on May 10, 1963
SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
Body was recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT
Panel 01E - - Line 22
HERBERT JAMES
NECE
Private First Class
PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Mesopotamia, Ohio
Date of birth: Sunday, 05/03/1942
MILITARY DATA
Service: Army (Regular)
Grade at loss: E3
Rank: Private First Class
ID No: 15664917
MOS: 11B20 Infantryman
LenSvc: Between 4 and 5 years
Unit: 118TH AHC, 145TH AVN BN, 12TH AVN GP, USARV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Wednesday, 12/15/1965
Cas Date: Wednesday, 11/30/1966
Age at Loss: 24
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Province not reported, South Vietnam
Type: Non-hostile, Died Of Illness/injury
Reason: Air Loss, Crash - Land - Helicopter - Noncrew
ON THE WALL Panel 12E Line 130
Tom Payne remembers the incident---The 118th Thunderbirds were working with the 25th Division out of Cu Chi on that Nov 30, 1966 day. The company had returned to Cu Chi after being on a full suppression insertion of troops and had landed and refuelled and shut down in a large PZ within the 25th Div compound. After the aircraft had shut down, PFC Nece had removed his M-60 from the mount of his"Slick"in anger because the M-60 had jammed or missfired during the full suppression. He had failed to remove the ammo belt from the gun OR to have cleared it by opening the cover and checking for any chambered rounds when it went off as he stood in front of the M-60. Several rounds were fired which hit him in the chest and torso. He was quickly loaded onto another Huey and taken a short way to the 25th Div medical facility, but apparently was dead on arrival.
SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jan 31, 1944
From BLUE EARTH, MINNESOTA
Length of service 1 year.
Casualty was on Nov 01, 1964
SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ARTILLERY, ROCKET, or MORTAR
Body was recovered
Religion
LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD
Panel 01E - - Line 70
SP4 Ronald Thomas O'Keefe, MOS-67N20, was killed in the mortar attack on Bien Hoa Airbase that took place about 12:26 a.m. on 1 Nov 1964. Four others were also killed in the attack. Also killed were Richard Perley Bubar, Thomas Joseph Hanley, Harry Joseph Sickler and LTC Thomas Daniel Whitlock.
2LT - O1 - Army - Reserve
29 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Nov 18, 1934
From FT WAYNE, INDIANA
Length of service 10 years.
Casualty was on Dec 28, 1963
SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
PRESBYTERIAN
Panel 01E - - Line 39
VHPA INFO: Class ?: How died: Flying as gunner pilot in
left supporting a slick ship outpost insertion south of My Tho.
UH-1B.
SP4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service
1st AVN BDE
19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on May 05, 1950
From PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Sep 07, 1969
Casualty was on Mar 17, 1970
in BIEN HOA, SOUTH VIETNAM
Non-Hostile, died of illness/injury
GROUND CASUALTY
UNINTENTIONAL HOMICIDE ACCIDENT
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 12W - - Line 14
12-02-2008--According to Michael Mueller who was present in the unit at the time, "SP4 Thomas Ryan's death was due to someone playing with an unauthorized weapon (grease gun) in his barracks room and accidently fired it. The bullet went through the wall and killed Tom."
CAPT - O3 - Army - Reserve
28 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Sep 03, 1938
From LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 4 years.
His tour of duty began on Dec 13, 1966
Casualty was on Jan 17, 1967
SOUTH VIETNAM
Non-Hostile, died missing
HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered Religion
BAPTIST
Panel 14E - - Line 46
VHPA Info: Joe Saffle served in the 118th two times. On his first tour in 63-64 and again in 66-67. Cause: A/C accident How died: The main rotor blades and tail boom came off in flight, crashed and burned. It is possible it was hit by ground fire. There was also a theory that the bellcrank that linked the horizontal stabilizer to the flight controls system broke and when the A/C nosed steeply down, the pilot reacted with full aft cylic. UH-1D 64-13726.
SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Oct 17, 1944
From LANESVILLE, NEW YORK
Length of service 1 year.
Casualty was on Nov 01, 1964
SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ARTILLERY, ROCKET, or MORTAR
Body was recovered
Religion
METHODIST
Panel 01E - - Line 70
SP4 Harry Joseph Sickler, MOS-67N20, was killed in the mortar
attack on Bien Hoa Airbase that took place about 12:26 a.m. on
1 Nov 1964. Four others were also killed in the attack. Also killed
were Richard Perley Bubar, Thomas Joseph Hanley, Ronald Thomas
O'Keefe and LTC Thomas Daniel Whitlock.
P4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service
1st AVN BDE
21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on May 19, 1949
From MANITOWOC, WISCONSIN
His tour of duty began on May 28, 1970
Casualty was on Nov 17, 1970
in BIEN HOA, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ARTILLERY, ROCKET, or MORTAR
Body was recovered
Religion
LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD
Panel 06W - - Line 66
SP4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service
22 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Sep 15, 1944
From PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Length of service 1 year.
Casualty was on Oct 14, 1966
SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died of wounds
HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Panel 11E - - Line 75
SP5 - E5 - Army - Regular
1st AVN BDE
19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Aug 02, 1950
From BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Jan 04, 1969
Casualty was on Nov 02, 1969
in HUA NGHIA, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died of wounds
HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD
Panel 16W - - Line 18
PFC - E3 - Army - Regular
1st AVN BDE
19 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Feb 26, 1949
From FT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Mar 02, 1968
Casualty was on Jul 27, 1968
in PHUOC LONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
LATTER DAY SAINTS, MORMON
Panel 50W - - Line 21
PFC James Howard Young was in the UH-1C 65-09564 with John Wayne Acosta when the aircraft was hit by enemy rounds and caught on fire. The aircraft ultimately crashed.
SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular
19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jun 03, 1947
From AZUSA, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Jan 27, 1966
Casualty was on Mar 19, 1967
in TAY NINH, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing
HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND (LZ GOLD)
Body was recovered
Religion:PROTESTANT
Panel 16E - - Line 117
Note: (07-31-01--According to information obtained in the form of the 145th CAB Journal and Duty Officers log, at entry #18 at 2130 on 19 Mar 1967, which was LZ GOLD near Tay Ninh, a list of names of WIA and KIA is given: WIA: Kelley, CPT A/C; Schmidt, WO P; Jackson, LT A/C; Wagner, CPT P; Kee PFC, GU; and KIA Washburn, SP4 CE. (Tom Payne Webmaster)
WO - W1 - Army - Reserve
19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Dec 15, 1948
From ST JAMES, MISSOURI
His tour of duty began on Apr 03, 1968
Casualty was on Aug 11, 1968
in PHUOC LONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died of wounds
HELICOPTER - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
PANEL 49W-Line 49
VHPA INFO: Class 67-503. How Died: Survived aircraft crash into Saigon River south of Saigon. Inhaled JP-4. Died of chemical pneumonia in Japan.
CAPT - O3 - Army - Reserve
32 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jun 12, 1931
From EAST CHICAGO, INDIANA
Length of service 8 years.
Casualty was on Aug 30, 1963
SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 01E - - Line 27
VHPA INFO: How Died: Also killed was 1LT lang. Crew members Martino and Parham survived. CH-21C, 55-04212
Info from Chad Payne: The operation was a max effort of 15 Shawnees to stage out of Tay Ninh for a series of Combat Assaults in that area. MAJ. Hayes briefed the company to fly to Tay Ninh at tree top level, in three Vee's of five ships each. The MAJ was to stay overhead in a L-19, controlling the mission. On passing over the Iron Triangle, the lead ship of the second Vee suddenly pitched nose up, rolled to it's side and crashed in an open area. Wenzel and Lang were killed, the enlisted crew were wounded. The remainder of the second serial landed in the open area and set about recovering the crew of the downed ship. They had landed in the middle of a Bn of hardcore VC and one hell of a fight ensued. Before they got out of that clearing, they were actually "butt stroking" VC off their aircraft. They lost several more aircraft after they got to Tay Ninh and flew the mission. We called that day "Black Thursday".
