Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15015
The Army purchased this helicopter 0267
Total flight hours at this point: 00000457
Date: 11/08/1967
Accident case number: 671108051
Unit: ACT/11 ACR
The station for this helicopter was Di An in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers =
0
costing 2099
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army
Aviation Safety Center database.
Crew Members:
AC W2 BG FROST
P W1 DD BURNS
Accident Summary:
On an approach with darkness and low ceilings, the aircraft struck a branch at about 100 feet.
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15015
The Army purchased this helicopter 0267
Total flight hours at this point: 00000882
Date: 10/10/1968
Unit: 118 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
for Close Air Support
While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0200 feet
and 095 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 1 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic
projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
The helicopter was hit in the Main Rotor Blade System
Systems damaged were: MAIN ROTOR SYS
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft continued and accomplished all mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was
created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis
Center Helicopter database. Also: UH1P3, 28401 ()
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15015
The Army purchased this helicopter 0267
Total flight hours at this point: 00000882
Date: 11/22/1968
Unit: ACT/11 ACR
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
This was a Recon mission for Armed Recon
While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0200 feet
and 070 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 3 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic
projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
The helicopter was hit in the Main Rotor Blade System
Systems damaged were: MAIN ROTOR SYS
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft continued and accomplished all mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was
created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis
Center Helicopter database. Also: UH1P3, 32701 ()
Information on U.S. Army helicopter
UH-1C tail number 66-15015
The Army purchased this helicopter 0267
Total flight hours at this point: 00000882
Date: 11/27/1968 MIA-POW file reference number: 1331
Incident number: 68112710.KIA
Unit: 118 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
This was a Recon mission for Armed Escort , Other Aircraft.
While Enroute this helicopter was Unknown at UNK feet and UNK
knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: XT238290
Helicopter took 1 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic
projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
causing a Fire.
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = 01 KIA, 02 DOI, 01 I . .
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Burned
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was
created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Reference Notes.
Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Survivability/Vulnerability
Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: 1331, OPERA,
UH1P3, 33202, Dave Evans (Operations Report. )
Summary: Shot down and crashed during gun run on village near
Cambodian border while covering ARVNs.
Loss to Inventory
Crew Members:
AC WO1 ALEXANDER NICHOLAS RICHAR KIA
CE SP5 SIMPSON WILLIAM JAMES KIA
P WO1 LAROCQUE LESLIE HOWARD KIA
G GURNSEY EARL F POW
War Story:
The 118th AHC was doing a CA for an ARVN unit to the west of Tay
Ninh about 1K or so from the border. We had ten slicks, four guns,
a C&C and a smoke ship - all from the 118th. The 118th was
based at Bien Hoa. This was mid-morning and the first lift into
the LZ. I believe we picked up the ARVNs at their base. The tactical
area was a village either on or near the border, then a rice paddy
area about a 400 to 500 yards wide, then a single tree line, and
another rice paddy area that was the LZ. All ten slicks landed
at the same time in this dry rice paddy, unloaded and departed.
I can't remember details about the LZ prep, only that we departed
and shut down at our staging area. I don't recall that we took
fire during the CA or if we went in full suppression or just normal
rules. The C&C remained and at least one, maybe both, gun
teams. The UH-1C with WO Alexander as AC and WO Larocque as CP
and SP5 Simpson as CE and SP4 Gurnsey as gunner was shot down
by what I was told a 51 cal firing from the village. I believe
they were making a gun run on the village at the time. They crashed
about 300 yards from the village in the first rice paddy area.
We learned the ship was down by listening on the radios. Fire
from both the ARVNs and the VC intensified after the crash as
both sides tried to control the ship. About mid-day someone saw
that a smoke grenade was popped near the ship, so we believed
that someone was alive there and wanted to land near it. The C&C
wouldn't let us - saying the area wasn't secure, they were still
taking heavy fire from the village, and we wouldn't risk another
ship and crew. When the ARVN advance stalled and very late in
the day, we were able to insert an American Infantry unit. This
was in the 25th Inf Div's AO, so most likely they were from that
unit. I was involved in this insertion but didn't get a real good
look at the crash site. We went back, shut-down and went back
to listening to the radios. The GIs quickly fought their way to
the gunship about six hours after they had gone down. The VC broke
contact in the face of the GIs. I believe the GIs found the bodies
of the two pilots and CE but the gunner was not found. I don't
remember if we pulled the ARVNs out that night or not, but I believe
the Americans stayed there to secure the crash site. Not long
after dark, we returned to Bien Hoa knowing that we had lost three
KIA. A few days later we learned that Gurnsey had been captured,
was held in Cambodia, and that he was badly injured. I left Vietnam
on the 15th of January and distinctly recall knowing that Gurnsey
had been repatriated by the Cambodian government. About two years
later, I met up with George Burchett who stayed with the 118th
at least nine months after I left. He told me that Gurnsey never
recovered from his injuries and had died in the States about six
months after his repatriation. Submitted by Dave Evans at the
VHCMA Reunion 6/25/99.
I was Rock's roomate in Vietnam and was also flying on that day. C & C refused to let us go in, but my crew and I attempted once and the fire was to heavy. Later "Pinapple" as we called him was found in Cambodia and we were told the US State Dept traded "farm equip" with the Cambodians and got him back. It has been awhile but I belive there was a news story on him after we got him back. PS I and co-pilot recieved company level punishment for the attempt after 6 "C&C" denied the attempt. "CWO Weld", dougweld@netscape.net
This record was last updated on 05/04/00
The following is crew member information for this incident:
Name: WO1 Nicholas Richard Alexander (posthumously promoted)
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 11/27/1968 while
performing the duty of Aircraft Commander.
Age at death: 21.8
Date of Birth: 01/24/1947
Home City: Wesley, IA
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 118 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 67-21
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 38W-070
Short Summary: Died after being shot down during gun run on village
near Cambodian border covering an ARVN unit. VC may have overrun
ship.
Aircraft: UH-1C tail number 66-15015
Call sign: Bandit
Service number: W3158732
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 062B = Helicopter Pilot, Utility and Light Cargo Single Rotor
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Started Tour: 01/20/1968
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other
aircrew
Location: Tay Ninh Province III Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XT238290
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Methodist (Evangelical United Brethren)
The following information 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: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 06/25/1999
Name: WO1 Leslie Howard Larocque
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 11/27/1968 while
performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 20.7
Date of Birth: 03/27/1948
Home City: Brookfield, VT
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 118 AHC
Flight class: 68-505/68-3
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 38W-075
Short Summary: Died after being shot down during gun run on village
near Cambodian border covering an ARVN unit. VC may have overrun
ship.
Aircraft: UH-1C tail number 66-15015
Call sign: Bandit
Service number: W3160792
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 062B = Helicopter Pilot, Utility and Light Cargo Single Rotor
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: pilot
Started Tour: 06/30/1968
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - pilot
Location: Tay Ninh Province III Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XT238290
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information 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: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 06/25/1999
Name: SP5 William James Simpson
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 11/27/1968 while
performing the duty of Crew Chief.
Age at death: 22.3
Date of Birth: 08/12/1946
Home City: Forest Park, IL
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 118 AHC
Major organization: other
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 38W-077
Short Summary: Died after being shot down during gun run on village
near Cambodian border covering an ARVN unit. VC may have overrun
ship.
Aircraft: UH-1C tail number 66-15015
Service number: 55816893
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67N20 = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: crew chief
Started Tour: 05/17/1967
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other
aircrew
Length of service: 03
Location: Tay Ninh Province III Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XT238290
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information 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 06/25/1999
The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter
UH-1C tail number 66-15015
It is provided here as an ESTIMATE of the history of this helicopter
and is not intended to be the final authority.
This helicopter was purchased by the US Army in 0267.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to
the VHPA.
DATE FLT HRS UIC UNIT AREA POST COUNTRY 6702 0 19 W0Y6AA TRAN MDMHELCO S ALASKA ALASKA 6703 0 19 W0MHAA DIROF SUP TRAN 6TH ARMY SHARPE GD AVCOM 6704 36 55 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG VIETNAM RVN 6705 55 110 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG VIETNAM RVN 6706 66 176 3320 USARV FLT DET VIETNAM RVN 6707 67 243 3320 USARV FLT DET VIETNAM RVN 6708 80 323 3320 BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 6709 53 376 3320 BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 6710 26 402 3320 BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 6711 55 457 3320 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY 6712 44 501 3320 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY 6801 26 527 3320 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY 6802 33 560 3320 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY 6803 39 599 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG VIETNAM RVN 6804 35 634 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG VIETNAM RVN 6805 3 637 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG VIETNAM RVN 6806 39 676 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG VIETNAM RVN 6807 34 710 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG VIETNAM RVN 6808 40 750 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG VIETNAM RVN 6809 8 758 WAX9AA 118 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6810 124 882 WAX9AA 118 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6811 0 882 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG VIETNAM RVN 6812 0 882 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG VIETNAM RVN 6901 0 882 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG VIETNAM RVN 6902 0 882 WSZAAA 357 TRANS CO DS VIETNAM RVN
Please send additions or corrections to:
Gary Roush
43 Overbrook Road
Painted Post, NY 14870