The Names are listed on this page by the year our brothers were killed in action

KIA - 2003

 

There were Six 4/101 Avn Regt men amongst the seventeen soldiers killed 11/15/03 when two 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters crashed in Mosul, Iraq while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom

 

 

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Scott Saboe

Saboe entered the Army in 1989 as a light wheel mechanic, later serving as an Army recruiter and then switched to aviation as a warrant officer. He flew one tour in Korea prior to coming to Fort Campbell in 2002. He deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in February, and had recently been selected to become an instructor pilot.

Saboe was remembered by his friends as a quiet professional and a pilot that could always be turned to for the most difficult missions.

Saboe grew up in the South Dakota town of Willow Lake, where a group of his high school friends recently sent him a card in Iraq.

"I wrote to him, said I'm very proud of him and everything that they've done," farmer Curwin Bratland said. "I said I hope he gets back, and we'll have a cold one together."

Saboe joined the Army in 1989. Survivors include his wife, Franceska, and their 6-year-old son, Dustin.

Saboe "was giving his all and believing what he was doing," said Darin Michalski, a childhood friend. "That's what makes me most proud of him.

"Most of us can go through our whole lives and don't really accomplish anything, and some of us only live to be 33, and we're heroes."

He is survived by his father, Arlo G. Saboe of Willow Lake, S.D., his wife Franceska and his son Dustin.

 

Fallen Heroes Memorial: Army CW2 Scott A. Saboe

Honor the fallen: Army Chief Warrant Officer (CW2) Scott A. Saboe

Defense Link News Release: DoD Identifies Army Casualties

AII  POW-MIA InterNetwork

 

 

2nd Lt. Jeremy L. Wolfe

Wolfe, a former enlisted infantryman with the 25th Infantry Division (Light Infantry), went green-to-gold and graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with a degree in computer science. He earned the George C. Marshall award and was the Distinguished Honor Graduate of his Reserve Officer Training Course. He was a pilot, graduating from flight school in Sept. 2003, and had recently taken over as a platoon leader in Company A, 4-101st.

Wolfe wanted to go to Iraq to support his fellow troops, despite the escalating violence there.

"He wanted to get over there to be with his friends and comrades," said his father, David Wolfe.

"My son was an officer and a gentleman. He believed in what he was doing and believed in his country. He will be missed dearly," David Wolfe said.

Wolfe, who joined the Army in 1996, also enjoyed his work. "He really liked to fly helicopters," Kevin Wolfe said of his cousin.

He is survived by his wife Christine and his parents David L. Wolfe of Menomonie, Wis., and Jane S. Utpadel of Wheeler, Wis.

Fallen Heroes Memorial: Army 1st Lt. Jeremy L. Wolfe

Jeremy L Wolfe

JS Online: We Remember

Defense Link News Release: DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTIES

Wisconsin Office of the Governor - Media Room

 

 

Spc. Ryan T. Baker

Baker entered the Army in 1998 and was assigned to 4-101st at Fort Campbell after graduating from Advanced Individual Training. He deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in February.

His leaders remembered him as a soldier that always had a smile and took a deep personal interest in his aircraft.

Baker was so passionate about the helicopters he served on as crew chief and gunner that he would talk to his mother in great detail about the vehicles.

"I can tell you anything you want to know about them," Victoria Baker said.

When Baker's father died of a heart attack in October, he returned from Iraq to be with his family. His last words to his mother before he left were to not worry about him.

"He was my best friend in the whole world," his mother said.

Baker was itching to return to Iraq and to his crew members, his uncle Michael Ewing said. "He told us when he left, 'We will get Saddam,"' Ewing said.

Baker is survived by his mother Victoria A. Baker of Browns Mills, N.J., and son, Tristan.

Fallen Heroes Memorial: Army Spc. Ryan Travis Baker

Ryan T Baker

Honor the fallen: Army Spc. Ryan T. Baker

 

Spc. Jeremiah J. DiGiovanni

DiGiovanni entered the Army in November of 2000, and was assigned to Company A, 4-101st, as his first permanent duty assignment. He deployed in February.

DiGiovanni loved his work with helicopters in Iraq -- both the thrill, and the meaning of his service there.

"What he was doing was very important to him," said his father, Joe DiGiovanni. "It was 250 miles an hour, pants on fire with both doors open -- he was a Black Hawk crew chief and he lived to get in that helicopter and fly."

"I will remember him as a great guy," his father said. "He was always humorous and jovial. He never liked to see anybody with their feelings hurt or upset."

DiGiovanni said that when he spoke to his son in Iraq, "I got the impression he was extremely busy, working very hard. And I think he tried to keep stories and rhetoric to a minimum so not to make us worry."

He is survived by his parents, Joseph A. DiGiovanni of Mccomb, Miss., and Laurie A. Brock of Lakeland, Fla.

DefenseLink News Release: DoD Identifies Army Casualties

Fallen Heroes Memorial: Army Spc. Jeremiah J. Digiovanni

Gulf War 2003-2006 Casualty List for Mississippi

 

 

Spc. William D. Dusenbery

Dusenbery entered the Army in January, 2002. Upon graduation from AIT, he was assigned as a helicopter repairer to Company D, 4-101st, at Fort Campbell. He deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in February.

Dusenbery (known as “Duse” to his friends), was remembered by his peers for not only his aviation maintenance skills, but also for improving the quality of life for those around him on the deployment by wiring all of the units’ tents for electricity.

Dusenbery was devoted to flying and hoped to eventually become a pilot.

"It was like he lived to be around the aircraft," said his fiancé, Jessica Wheat. "The Black Hawk and other aircraft, it was like they were a part of that man like his left arm."

Wheat said Dusenbery, who went by his middle name Dave, hoped to make the military his career so that he could continue to fly helicopters.

She said the only thing "he put above his helicopters was his girls," referring to his 11-year-old stepdaughter and 7-year-old daughter, who live with their mother in California.

Dusenbery, who was from Fairview Heights, Ill, was literally born into the military. His father said he was in the Navy stationed in Virginia when his son was born there.

He is survived by his parents, William D. Dusenbery of Fairview Heights, Ill., and Nancy L. Medcalf of Rancho Cordova, Calif. He has two daughters, Shalice and Aubrey.

Fallen Heroes Memorial: Army Spc. William D. Dusenbery

In Remembrance

 

 

 

Sgt. John W. Russell

Russell joined the Army in 1994 as an infantryman, and served his initial tour at Fort Bliss, Texas. He later transitioned to UH-60 helicopter repair and did tours in Germany, Fort Drum, N.Y., Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Campbell.

Russell deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in May. He was remembered by his friends as a noncommissioned officer that knew his soldiers and cared deeply about them, and as a leader who had a good sense of humor.

"Anyone who ever met John saw he was so full of life," said April Fielder-Clark, who had known Russell since she was 3. "I don't know too many people who have as many friends as John. No one was safe from his jokes, but it was all in good fun."

Gen. Jack Gardner presented Russell's parents and wife with a Bronze Star during his funeral.

"He distinguished himself as a selfless soldier," Gardner said. "His company commander said he was a very talented guy, who was highly respected, and highly liked by everyone."

Honor the fallen: Army Sgt. John W. Russell

Fallen Heroes Memorial: Army Sgt. John W. Russell

 

 

Photographs of the A 4/101 Avn unit Memorial Service in Iraq and a video of the Ft Campbell services

DefendAmerica News - Article

Some of the 17 beautiful wreaths provided by our veterans for the services and the program from the  Fort Campbell Family Prayer Vigil held 21/11/03 in honor of the 17 101st soldiers
<--Crash photos-->

 

KIA - 1984

 

During 1983-1984 A/101 Aviation was involved in a Taskforce in Honduras Central America. The exercise was called AHUAS TARA II. The unit received a Presidential Citation during this time. We lost the following member of A/101 Avn when involved in this operation.

Alan Robert Larson

 

MOS: 67T Crew Chief UH=60 Black Hawk

Lost Jan 1984

NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND

Casualty was in Jan 1984

Body was recovered

 

 

Alan Larson was a/101 avn he was stationed with me and also went to central america with me and this is where he lost his life in a blackhawk crash. He was the crew cheif for the mission. Larson, Alan  if i remember correctly he also went by Rob. Time frame of his death would have been late 1983 or early 1984. I believe one of the pilots also perished but do not know his name. Some say they were shot down others say it was pilot era during a night mission along the border of nicuragua.  The first seargent at the time was Goins and the CO was Maj. Ambrose. Both from A company 101 avn.    

 

Dan Gore

A/101 Avn  SGT 67T20

11/82 -3/.85  

I was assigned w/ A/101 during their deployment to Honduras. I remember Rob Larson well. He was in fact a crew chief in either the 1st or 2nd platoon. Can't remember which...During the later part of Jan 84, our company was tasked to provide four UH-60's in support of joint operations and the local Honduran military....Mission lasted approx 5 day's and was conducted around the vic of the Border. Larson was the crew chief on CW2 Swenson's aircraft. I was PIC of one of the other Blackhawk's. Once mission complete, our flight was split into flight's of two for the flight back to base due to maintenance issues on my acft. Chalk's 1 and 2 (CW2 Swenson and Larson) departed for base w/ me and chalk 4 "pulling pitch" approx 20 minutes later. Weather deteriorated and chalk 4 and I decided to transfer to instruments and climb on top of the clouds. We proceeded to Pamerola Base VFR on top. While enroot, I received a call from chalk 2 that they had lost first visual then radio contact with CW2 Swenson's acft. I attempted to make radio contact to no avail. Company OPNS w/ notified and a SAR team was mustered. Upon arriving at Pamerola, I was pair up w/ CPT Dave Seller's and a group of attached pathfinder's to conduct a search for Swenson's acft. We proceeded to the area where the aircraft was last seen. After about an hour and a half into the search we were flagged down by local Hondurans in a field. Upon landing, we were told that there was a big explosion/crash on top of the mountain. Weather and low clouds prevented us from probing the crash site by air, so we were forced to proceed to the crash site by foot. Locals escorted us. I and the group of pathfinder's found Swenson's crashed acft on the side of the mountain approx 150 meters from it's crest. It was determined, the aircraft had gone inadvertent IMC and struck some tall tree's. Although seriously injured, Both CW2 Swenson and the co-pilot survived the crash. Rob Larson and the other passenger's all perished. I stayed at the crash site that night until medevac could get in and extract dead and wounded the next morning.

Thank you Richard for your e-mail. I'm glad to have been given the opportunity to validate PFC Rob Larson's assignment with A/101 Avn and to tell our (his) story.

I remain,

Buck Ferrand

MAJ (Ret), USA

Commanchero 11

 

Alan was assigned to A/101. Went to Honduras with the 101st AVN Taskforce in 1983, 1984. The exercise was called AHUAS TARA II. The unit received a Presidential Citation during this time. As Dan said, Larson got grounded but did his time in KP hell and was reinstated. The mission they were on had a bunch of special forces on board and not in seats. Larson was in a monkey harness with the gunners window open. The aircraft went inadvertent IMC in the mountains and crashed into the side of a mountain in Honduras. He flew out the gunners window and was crushed underneath the landing gear when the aircraft came to rest. All aboard were killed and the 2 pilots were in critical condition. I know one of the pilots after a year did recover, but don't know if he ever went back to flying. Not sure about the other pilot.

 

Larson was a good kid, loved being a crew chief and a gung ho type. His picture is in the 02/1984 edition of SOF Magazine. They did a big article on the exercise and our mission there.

 

The taskforce also lost an oh-58, which was shot down by the Nicaraguans. The aircraft was part of the task force but not a 101st AVN ACFT. The warrant flying and his passenger were killed after the crash by forces shooting across the border as the pilot was able to land the aircraft on the Honduran side of the border.

 

 

Alan Raybon

12/81-5/85

Crew Chief

A/101 & D/101 Avn

 

Alan Robert Larson on left with hat This photo was taken in Puerto Rico right before deploying to Honduras. photo by Dan Gore

 

1976

 

David Cowan

SP4 - Lost March 20, 1976

David Cowan died on March 20 1976 while serving as a Comanchero with D/101, the legacy unit of A/101 and forerunner of A 4/101. David was flying as a crew chief on his Huey with two pilots not assigned to our unit during a Division FTX.

They departed from the reservation at Fort Campbell enroute to Campbell Army Air Field just prior to a thunderstorm impacting the area. The aircraft crashed and there were no survivors.

David was in my flight platoon. He was quiet, a hard worker, and well liked by everyone in the unit. David volunteered and served his country in an era when everyone else wanted to forget about the military and it's soldiers.

In light of this, I would ask that his A/101 - A 4/101 brothers and sisters remember his sacrifice for his country and that he is not forgotten. David truly Gave All.

 

Sincerely, Tom Cavanaugh, D/101 Comanchero, 4/74-7/76

 

 

During the Vietnam War, 44,000 servicemen served as helicopter crewmembers. Among those crewmembers, 4,812 were KIA/MIA and are listed on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall In Washington DC. FORTY THREE of those men on the wall were serving with A/101 AVN when they gave their life for their unit and country.

 

 

 KIA/MIA - 1971

 

Jack Edward Searing

W01 - Lost 10/17/71 - Panel 02W - Line 40

22 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Sep 22, 1949
From STERLING, ILLINOIS
His tour of duty began on Jul 21, 1971
Casualty was on Oct 17, 1971
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD

Information on SEARING JACK EDWARD

101st Monument

Information on helicopter or incident 67-19497

The Virtual Wall® - Jack Searing, WO, Army, Sterling IL, 17Oct71 02W040

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02W

 

Robert Mitchell Webb Jr.

1Lt - Lost 10/17/71 - Panel 02W-Line 42

26 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jul 11, 1945
From COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
His tour of duty began on Jun 01, 1971
Casualty was on Oct 17, 1971
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER – Aircraft Commander
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
METHODIST

Information on WEBB ROBERT MITCHELL JR

101st Monument

Information on helicopter or incident 67-19497

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02W

 

Alvis T. Barrington Jr.

SGT - Lost 10/17/71 - Panel 02W - Line 41

21 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Feb 10, 1950
From RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
His tour of duty began on May 03, 1971
Casualty was on Oct 17, 1971
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
CHURCH OF CHRIST

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02W

101st Monument

Information on helicopter or incident 67-19497

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02W

 

Barry Lee Brown

SP4 - lost 10/17/71 - Panel 02W - Line 41

19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Oct 01, 1952
From HIALEAH, FLORIDA
His tour of duty began on Dec 16, 1970
Casualty was on Oct 17, 1971
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST

Barry Lee Brown

101st Monument

Information on helicopter or incident 67-19497

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02W

 

 

 

Wallace Joseph Depreo

SP5 - lost 10/17/71 - Panel 02W - Line 41
19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jan 02, 1952
From BAY ST LOUIS, MISSISSIPPI
His tour of duty began on May 24, 1970
Casualty was on Oct 17, 1971
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST
Comancheros - A 101st Avn, 101st airborne
How died: Crash resulting from inadvertent IFR at night while on a flare mission in Thua Thien, South Vietnam, about 10 miles west of Camp Eagle, Hue.

 

101st Monument

Information on helicopter or incident 67-19497

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02W

 

 

Information on US Army Helicopter UH-1H Tail #67-19497

August 2002 - HMC (FMF/DV/PJ)

Ken Willburn wanted to re enlist at the Vietnam wall in front of the panel with the names of the Comancheros crew of UH-1H #67-19497, in order to honor them.  Ken is the son in law of Jim (Comanchero 16) and Diane Pfutzner.  Kens wife, Angela, attended the ceremony. Angela said many people watched Ken re up during the ceremonies at the Wall. They were moved by the words he said about why he chose the wall to re enlist, and said many were weeping. 

 

Gunnery Sgt. Glenn Holloway of HQMC, Washington DC took the photo.    

 

Craig L. Farlow

CW2 - Lost 05/17/71 Panel 01W - - Line 26

24 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Mar 15, 1948
From CLEVELAND, OHIO
Casualty was on May 17, 1971
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing
HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC

Note: Date of loss is wrong on the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall in Washington DC concerning Craig Farlow. The date of loss is May 17, 1971, However carried for a year as MIA until changed to KIA May 18, 1972.

Found your site very moving and interesting. I believe I was in Craig Farlow's Scout Troops (191 and 131, Bryan, Ohio). He was about four years older than I, and served as Senior Patrol Leader and Junior Assistant Scout Master. He also played football and ran track at our high school, and has a very good singing voice. He was a very likeable guy, with a great sense of humor. When I remember him, I always see him with a smile or a grin.


I left Bryan and Ohio some years ago, and had heard that he died in Vietnam in a helicopter downing, and  that he was an MIA, but never heard any details. I did find his name on the Wall in Washington D.C. a few years ago.
With the upcoming anniversary of the fall of Saigon, I found myself thinking of him again, and tried a Web site search using his name and found your site. I believe your Craig is the same one I knew (Craig was an Eagle Scout, an only son and Roman Catholic). A friend of mine also told me he had moved to Cleveland from Bryan after graduating from high school (Bryan is in the northwestern corner of Ohio).


Thank you for the information on your site. It is good to know more about what happened to Craig.
Pat Tearney

 

 

 A poem in memory of Craig Farlow.

The poem was written by Bill Croninger, a personal friend of Craig's. Bill  is a faculty member at the University of New England.

Information on FARLOW CRAIG LEE

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 01W

101st Monument

Information on helicopter or incident 68-15491

 

Joseph P. Nolan Jr

CPT - Lost 05/17/71 Panel 01W - - Line 27

21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on May 20, 1950
From OAK PARK, ILLINOIS
Casualty was on May 17, 1971
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing
HELICOPTER - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC

 Note: Date of loss is wrong on the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall in Washington DC concerning Joseph P. Nolan. The date of loss is May 17, 1971, However carried for a year as MIA until changed to KIA May 18, 1972.

NOLAN, JOSEPH PAUL JR. Compiled by Task Force Omega Inc

Information on NOLAN JOSEPH PAUL JR

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 01W

101st Monument

Joseph Nolan, CPT, Army, Oak Park IL, 17May72 01W027 - The Virtual Wall®

Information on helicopter or incident 68-15491

 

 

Elliott Crook

SP5 - Lost 05/17/71 Panel 01W - - Line 26

23 year old Single, American Indian, Male
Born on Jun 12, 1948
From PHOENIX, ARIZONA
Casualty was on May 17, 1971
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing
HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Religion
BAPTIST

 Note: Date of loss is wrong on the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall in Washington DC concerning Elliott Crook. The date of loss is May 17, 1971, However carried for a year as MIA until changed to KIA May 18, 1972.

Information on helicopter or incident 68-15491

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 01W

101st Monument

Information on helicopter or incident 68-15491

 

 

Timothy John Jacobsen

SP4 - Lost 05/17/71 Panel 01W - - Line 26
21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Feb 19, 1950
From  Ferndale, CALIFORNIA
Casualty was on May 17, 1971
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing
HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Religion
Lutheran

Note: Date of loss is wrong on the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall in Washington DC concerning Timothy John Jacobsen. The date of loss is May 17, 1971, However carried for a year as MIA until changed to KIA May 18, 1972.

 

The remains of SGT Timothy J. Jacobsen, USA, listed as MIA May 17, 1971 in South Vietnam was recovered June 7, 1995 and identified March 24, 2008, announced by DPMO as identified on July 28, 2008.  A Full Military burial and memorial service was held in honor of SGT Timothy John Jacobsen October 4, 2008 in the Historic Ferndale cemetery in Ferndale, CA.

 

 Photographs and information from the OCT 4 2008 services for Timothy John Jacobsen

 

Defense Department Press Release Sept 28 2008 - Tim Jacobsen

 

Ferndale man's remains to be returned to family 37 years after he was shot down in Vietnam - Times-Standard Online

 

 

     

  Tim, 11 grade      Tim, 18 years old       Tim, basic training      Tim Jacobsen, Tim at the barber shop

 

A remembrance of Tim by his sister Cindy:

I can't even begin to find the words to describe my brother, Timothy John Jacobsen, also known as  "Jake".  He was bigger than life.  The 5th child of 8, the second of 2 boys, he was "full of it" from the day he was born!  He said it was because he had to put up with 6 sisters.  He had a knack for getting into trouble but it was never anything serious and it just made me love him even more. We were raised on ranches...dairy, then cattle & sheep.  He loved being out in the mountains, gathering cattle, ranching, and I think he was most happy when he was on horseback.  The girls loved him, he was rather charming, our family loved him more than we can say, his buddies were true blue to him as he was to them.  He was quite the rodeo star.  Started riding bulls at an early age and by the time he was 18 he was the best in Humboldt County, California. Family and friends meant everything to Tim.  We were all very close, loved Tim dearly and miss him more than we can say.  You could count on him to be there for you in a heartbeat. He had one of the sweetest hearts I've ever known and a smile that could light up any room.  I was only 14 when he was shot down but memories don't fade, they just get stronger.  He was one of the good guys.  He was my hero.


Cindy McWhorter
Little Sis of Sgt. Timothy John Jacobsen
.

 

If you knew Tim, Cindy would love to hear from you. Cindy's email  [email protected]

 

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 01W

101st Monument

Information on helicopter or incident 68-15491

 

 

 

Major Bob Clewell, Comanchero Commanding Officer, on this 68-15491 incident.

The aircraft was lost during a combat assault in the daytime. Steve Cipot was a crewmember in the aircraft immediately behind the Farlow/Nolan one. According to Steve, the Landing Zone was hot and on let down one of Farlow's crewmembers was wounded, so they never actually landed, but diverted to transport the wounded crewmember to get medical attention. It was said that the aircraft remained at relative low level, lost power, then crashed in steep hostile wooded terrain, apparently either with flames and/or badly scattered. No evident chance for survivors. The site was visited by friendly Vietnamese about three weeks later---no evident survivors, but the friendly Vietnamese recovered only the Vietnamese dead, not the American's, and for this reason our crewmembers were carried as missing, perhaps because a follow-up operation did not materialize. We suppose that a special board was eventually convened to make the final determination, which was as it should be, and that these men were finally declared dead a year and a day, later.


In the meantime, at least three of them were promoted, and their pay continued to their loved ones. It is true that no one could identify the spot to me from the air the day after the loss, but this would have been extremely difficult even if the precise grid location were known to them, which in fact it was not. No one in our company had a direct responsibility to know those coordinates, knowing them was a responsibility of the air mission commander. The air mission commander was not one of us.

In 1995, members of the joint task force full accounting (jtffa) did visit the site and rendered a report of their findings several months later, noting among other things some plastic components of flight gear that could only have come from U.S. personnel. Craig Farlow's mother sent me a copy of these results along with a personal letter saying that she was finally satisfied with the report, which is to say that they were dead and that the government had done its part. But this was particularly bitter news for certain members of the families, especially for the family of Joseph Nolan, especially for the surviving brothers, most notably the former army sergeant. The reason for this bitterness is worth noting.

Apparently, some time after the men were declared dead and unknown to any of us, the Nolan family received an official message from the government that a man named McKinley Nolan was alive, a captive, and a collaborator. Whether or not this was true, the family chose to believe that an error of such magnitude could only occur if the sending agency either didn't know what it was doing or perhaps was hiding factual information about their son/brother. Consequently, they chose to presume Joseph might be alive. Of course, there was no one to say positively otherwise and over the years Joseph's brother took a leadership role with the National League of Families and others who sought and still seek the fullest possible accounting of all POM/MIA.

In February 1992, there was an unofficial visit to the A Shau valley and to Hanoi by several former army persons including myself. One of the outcomes of this unofficial visit was to explore the viability of our in Country effort to resolve POW/MIA issues and POW/MIA in general. At that time, "unofficially" more than 15,000 live sighting reports had been investigated. All these were top priority to investigate, and none had proved out. The investigations in every case led to European's or Russians or other Caucasians who simply had no direct connection to any of our cases. Meanwhile, the known dead sites had such low priority that only the ones which had possible connections to living Americans were being looked at. We knew the men were dead, knew where they were, but their cases weren't being resolved because the resources weren't readily available to resolve them. Part of the problem has been physically locating the known dead sites. The terrain is more formidable now than it was to us then, and in the considerable amount of time since each loss, new vegetation has completely covered the scars. What was there has since suffered the decay, which only the tropics can bring, and in some cases what may have been left has been, pilfered or scavenged away. Nevertheless, the Vietnamese at all levels have been generally very helpful and forthcoming and many cases have been resolved. The persons who work on the teams are very dedicated and professional.

 

Some other interesting things about this crew are that CPT Joseph Paul Nolan Joseph Nolan's brother in Nam was an army sergeant in the delta. He was on R&R when Joe Jr. (the lieutenant) got transferred from one of the nearby Air Cav units (where the older brother could watch out for him) to the 101st, which was a long way away. Only later did he obtain a commission, e.g. got out, went to college, through ROTC, and back in as an officer. The brother went on to retire as a Major. Craig Lee Farlow was married and was an only son. His mother has audiotapes of his time as a Comanchero. He was our Perimeter Defense Officer. SP5 Elliot Crook was married and had a baby girl. In Oct of 1971 his wife died in a car accident and left the baby girl to be raised be her Indian heritage family, mainly his sister, her name was Mary Ann Crook. Bob Clewell has talked with Mary Ann about her father. Timothy John Jacobson was from northern California, a little town called Ferndale. Near Eureka, CA.

There is a private memorial here in Ohio (the Comancheros have an unofficial private memorial) which was dedicated on May 16, 1996, along with a soccer field and a small park associated with them in special memory of Craig Farlow and Joseph P. Nolan Jr. and the other Comanchero losses during the Vietnam war. Craig Farlow was an only son and both men's mothers came to the dedication which was attended by Charlie and Jeanie Steele, Marty DiOrio and Larry Cooper, Rick Nichol, Bob Morris, Ray Ferrante, and Brad Burkholder (former fellow pilot, now a minister, who gave the eulogy). The tri-state burial detachment, local high school band, and a number of other persons (less than two hundred) were also present. Craig was an Eagle Scout and was from Ohio, whereas Joe was from Chicago but his parents moved to canton (about twenty miles west of here), so it was an appropriate thing. Joe Kline allowed us to copy "Riders on the Storm" into black granite for the memorial and donated three prints of it for the families. Craig Farlow's nieces donated his audio tapes that told all about his experiences in the company, everything from being mess officer to being shot at by our perimeter guards who felt they were justified no doubt. Can you believe it? The morning of the dedication, two of the old Comanchero pilots, Ray Ferrante and Bob Morris helped erect the "Farlow Field" sign. The weather was perfect, and the entire affair couldn't have been nicer. The man who flew in a Huey for the event was none other than Sam Mckenna, the same guy who worked in the group TOC at Khe Sanh during Lam Son 719.

LTC (Ret) Robert Clewell, Comanchero Commanding Officer 70/71

 

 

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 68-15491

Information on helicopter or incident 68-15491

 

 

George Phillip Berg

710218 CW2 Panel 5W - - Line 114,

24 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jul 16, 1946
From BELFORD, NEW JERSEY
Casualty was on Feb 18, 1971
in SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing
HELICOPTER - Pilot
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Religion
LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD
 

George Phillip Berg

Information on BERG GEORGE PHILLIP

Information on helicopter or incident 68-15255

BERG, GEORGE PHILLIP Compiled by Task Force Omega Inc

Bio, Berg, George P.

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 05W

101st Monument

Amazon.com: Regret to Inform You: Experiences of Families Who Lost a Family Member in Vietnam: Books: Norman E. Berg

 

Gerald Ernest Woods

710218 WO1 Panel 5W - - Line 119,

21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jan 22, 1950
From SALEM, OREGON
Casualty was on Feb 18, 1971
in SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing
HELICOPTER - Aircraft Commander
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC

WOODS, GERALD EARNEST Compiled by Task Force Omega Inc

Information on helicopter or incident 68-15255

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 05W

Information on WOODS GERALD ERNEST

101st Monument

This photo of Gerard Woods 

 

Walter Edward Demsey Jr.

710218 SP4 Panel 05W - - Line 115

21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Sep 17, 1949
From GLENDORA, NEW JERSEY
Casualty was on Feb 18, 1971
in SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing
HELICOPTER - CREW CHIEF
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Religion
METHODIST

Photographs Provided by Dave Demsey

Link to The Walter E. Demsey Memorial Gallery This is a web site that is dedicated to Walter E. Demsey Jr., The page is done by Walter's brother Dave Demsey. Dave Demsey traveled to the A Shau Valley in 1992 to honor his brother's memory. This Gallery includes pictures and maps provided by Dave.

DEMSEY, WALTER EDWARD JR. Compiled by Task Force Omega Inc

Link to SR-71 Imagery taken over the crash site Feb 23, 1971, five days after the crash.

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 05W

The Virtual Wall® - Walter Demsey, SP4, Army, Glendora NJ, 18Feb71 05W115

Information on helicopter or incident 68-15255

101st Monument

 

 

Gary Lee Johnson

710218 SP4 Panel 05W - Row 115

 22 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jun 07, 1948
From MALIBU, CALIFORNIA
Casualty was on Feb 18, 1971
in SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing
HELICOPTER - CREW-GUNNER
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT

 

Gary Johnson, SP4, Army, Omaha NE, 18Jun71 03W081 - The Virtual Wall®

JOHNSON, GARY LEE Compiled by Task Force Omega Inc

Information on helicopter or incident 68-15255

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 05W

101st Monument

 

 

The following information is from the VHPA 1994 Membership directory, page 262-264.

Feb 18, 1971

A/lOl Avn lost UH-1H #68-15255 at YC481785 and crew (WO l George P Berg, Comanchero 19 AC, WO l Gerald E. Woods, pilot, SP4 Walter Demsey, CE, and SP4 Gary L. Johnson, gunner).

The MIA synopsis reports: This aircraft was dispatched as part of a flight of four on an emergency patrol extraction mission on the West Side of the A Shau Valley in Thua Tin Province, Vietnam. The patrol to be rescued included CPT Ronald L. Watson, SFC Samuel, Sammy, Hernandez, and SGT Allen R. Lloyd, part of SOG-CCN, 5th Special Forces Group. During the attempt to recover the patrol, Woods' helicopter came under heavy fire and had to leave the PZ with Lloyd, Watson, and Hernandez attached to the three-staple rig. While in flight, the rope broke, and Hernandez fell 30-40 feet, landing in double canopy jungle. He was rescued the following day. The helicopter continued a short distance, was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire, crashed and burned. On 19 Feb, a Special Forces recovery team was inserted at the crash site to search the area. Woods and Berg were found dead in their seats. Johnson's body was found in a tree. One leg of Demsey, the burned CE, was found in the cargo compartment. All remains were prepared for extraction, and the team left to establish a night defensive position. En route, the team found the remains of Lloyd and Watson, still on their rope slings, in the trees on the edge of a cliff. Because of the rugged terrain and approaching darkness, the rescue team leader decided to wait until morning to recover these two remains. However, the following morning, the search team came under intense fire, and the team leader requested an emergency extraction, and in doing so, left all remains behind.

Major Bob Clewell, on this incident and remembering our Brothers:

 

  When Dave Demsey and R. Wayne Jones went to the A Shau in May 1992, they were there at the invitation of the Vietnamese government, and we can all take a lot of pride not only in the initiative they took, but in the effort they made, and in what their evident sincerity and desire demonstrated. They were never alone in keeping the faith. In 1996, one of the former Comanchero crewchiefs stood in front of the Moving Wall at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He had driven a large tractor-trailer in from Minnesota hoping to reunite with some Comancheros and he did, there, in front of that panel where Walter's name is located. There wasn't a dry eye among them. Altogether, there have been six or seven attempts to locate the site on the ground (the human remains were observed and secured in body bags at the crash site on February 19th, 1971, the day after the loss, but were subsequently abandoned there the following day because the enemy closed in), we are very hopeful that the next attempt will be successful. Not that there is any reasonable expectation that the organic material will be intact, rather because locating, excavating, and resolving the site will hopefully and more certainly bring the matter to a positive conclusion for all of us who knew and remember them. Particularly with respect to Walter Demsey, we must insure that he is well remembered. Partly because of his lengthy service in country but especially by his spirit, he motivated everyone to be more aggressive, more professional, and ultimately more successful in the accomplishment of the more hazardous, more difficult missions, ones which demanded the utmost teamwork between the crewmembers, the supported forces, and the flight. Consequently, if it were possible to credit anyone else as being more a part of the Comancheros and our story than he is, it would be a great surprise to all of us who knew him. This is as it should be, for Comanchero crewchiefs and doorgunners ought always to be remembered. On the other hand, there is always something very positive about remembering all of our losses, each of them. In the first place, we are humbled when we do this...knowing these men died and we did not, and for reasons we can't easily explain...Isaiah would say, "the Lord giveth; the Lord taketh; Blessed be the Name of the Lord." With this is the idea that we have a lot to be thankful for..."being alive ourselves", for example, and that the dead would not only want to be remembered by us, but they would want us to get the most out of our lives, so that they will not have died in vain. As if this were not enough, grieving them is a natural function of life that helps orient us, not that anyone is particularly lost, but in the aftermath of our Vietnam war experience, so many attempted to re-enter society and to forget their experiences so as to blend in, we imagined (and were often encouraged to believe), as to suffer themselves. We could not blend in; this is a democratic society, and society inevitably came to us, in spite of the fact that the war was so divisive. So our generation of veterans is going to be well remembered and remembered well, perhaps not so much because of what we did during the war or "in-country", but because of our unfortunate circumstance in attempting to re-enter a society so quickly, a society that was not prepared for us, and because NOW, in remembering our fellow veterans who died during the war, we are reaffirming life not only for ourselves and for them, but for our fellow veterans and Americans as well.

 

The original program for the services held at Camp Eagle for Berg, Woods, Demsey and Johnson    Provided by Lawrence Payne

 

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 68-15255
 

 

RONALD LEONARD WATSON

SOG Member - not with A/101 AHB

CAPT - O3 - Army - Regular
Special Forces
26 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Nov 11, 1944
From EL PASO, TEXAS
Casualty was on Feb 18, 1971
in SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing
HELICOPTER - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 05W - - Line 119

ALLEN RICHARD LLOYD

SOG Member - not with A/101 AHB

SGT - E5 - Army - Regular
Special Forces
21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Feb 21, 1949
From ST CHARLES, MINNESOTA
Casualty was on Feb 18, 1971
in SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing
HELICOPTER - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Religion
LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD
Panel 05W - - Line 117

 Some SOG web sites with more information on Watson & Lloyd and this incident:

Remembering RT Alaska – Jim Hollingsworth

The Missing Men of RT Intruder – Robby Robinson

 

PFC John Jacobsen Chubb

Panel 04W - Row 060

Date of Casualty: Saturday, March 20, 1971

Age at time of loss: 20

Casualty type: (A3) Hostile, died while missing

Reason: Air loss

Crashed on land (Crew member - Helicopter)

Country: Laos

 

John Chubb died while serving aboard an B/101 Avn."Kingsmen" aircraft with Major Barker, Captain Dugan, and Sergeant Dillender on March 20, 1971. John had only recently arrived in country and was assigned to A/101, then shifted to B/101 by battalion for reasons unknown and killed while he was still being carried on the A/101 Avn morning report.

 

April 15, 2006

A note from Diane Husereau (National Capital Chapter) about the funeral held for a Kingsmen Helicopter Crew (B Co, 101st Aviation Bn.) that has recently been recovered from Laos...

On 20 March 1971 during Operation Lam Son 719 these men were the crew of a UH1H helicopter attempting to extract troops who were surrounded by enemy force in the vicinity of Landing Zone Brown.  On its approach to the pick up zone, the helicopter was struck by intense fire, exploded and crashed in Savannakhet Province, Laos.
 
In Nov. 2002 a joint investigation located a site where they obtained wreckage, life support equipment and possible dental remains.  A subsequent evacuation of this Site in Oct and Nov 2004 recovered personal effects and portions of possible remains. 
 
A funeral was held at Arlington yesterday for:
 
Maj. Jack L. Barker
Cpt. John F. Dugan
Sgt William E. Dillender
Pfc John J. Chubb
 
The service was very emotional and there was a huge attendance.  At gravesite four helicopters flew over.  This burial brought closure for four families.
 
I am not a great photographer but wanted to share my pictures.  You will see in one picture that we even had an injured soldier recuperating at Walter Reed.  He was amazing, he intends to stay in the Army and do what is necessary to jump!  Sgt. Peay who brought the soldier to the service is a liaison at Walter Reed.  She is a medic.  She has served in Iraq and her husband is serving now.
 
As we were leaving the gravesite, the mother of one of the soldiers appeared to get sick and looked like she would faint.  Her grandson who I was told was 17 picked her up in his arms. I heard her tell him to put her down and he said "don't worry Grandma I have you".  She was carried to the limousine and someone called the fire department.  Well, as you can see in the picture the local Va. fire department sent truck 101 to the rescue.  I have a few other pictures.  I will be posting some to our web site and will send some to the association.
 
Best to all,
Diane Husereau

 

Information on helicopter or incident 66-16185

John Chubb, PFC, Army, Gardena CA, 20Mar71 04W060 - The Virtual Wall®

101st Monument

 

KIA/MIA - 1970

 

John Michael Rizzo Jr.

W1 - Lost 1/1470 Panel 14W--Line 34

21 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Mar 13, 1948
From OCEANSIDE, NEW YORK
His tour of duty began on Apr 09, 1969
Casualty was on Jan 14, 1970
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC

John Michael Rizzo Jr.

Information on Helicopter UH-1H 67-17349

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 14W

The Virtual Wall® - John Rizzo, WO, Army, Oceanside NY, 14Jan70 14W034

101st Monument

 

 

Gerald Lee Schwuchow

Spec 4 - Lost 1/1470 Panel 14W--Line 35

20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on May 11, 1949
From HOBART, INDIANA
His tour of duty began on Oct 30, 1969
Casualty was on Jan 14, 1970
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST

Information on helicopter or incident 67-17349

Gerald Schwuchow, SP4, Army, Hobart IN, 14Jan70 14W035 - The Virtual Wall®

101st Monument

 

Clarence S Turner III

Spec 5 - Lost 1/1470 Panel 14W--Line 35

20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Apr 13, 1949
From SWEETWATER, TEXAS
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Aug 30, 1969
Casualty was on Jan 14, 1970
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST

Clarence S Turner III, Photo by Bob "The Mad Arab" Berry. Bob and Sid were friends, Bob escorted Sid home.

Information on helicopter or incident 67-17349

101st Monument

 

 

 

WILLIAM ALFRED MEISTER

SP4 - Lost 04/30/70 Panel 11W Line 75

23 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Dec 16, 1946
From MORRIS, NEW JERSEY
His tour of duty began on Dec 17, 1969
Casualty was on Apr 30, 1970
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 11W - - Line 75

William A. Meister.  He was the son of George and Catherine Meister, both now deceased.  He has  two brothers, George and Thomas.  He has a sister, Ann.   Bill grew up in Madison, New Jersey . He  graduated from St. Benedict's Prep School in Newark, New Jersey and attended Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey.  While there he was a member of the R.O.T.C.  Since Bill was a devout Roman Catholic and his cousin, Rev. Alfred Meister, a Benedictine Priest from Saint Mary's Abbey in Morristown, New Jersey, I thought it would be most appropriate for the submission to be the following:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

                                                                  Matthew 5:3-10


May your soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.


Submitted by:  Carolyn J. Kinelski Utzinger

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 11W

101st Monument

 

 

Tommy L. Kearsley

CW2 - Lost 05/04/70 Pane 11W - - Line 95

22 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jul 01, 1947
From BUHL, IDAHO
His tour of duty began on May 21, 1969
Casualty was on May 04, 1970
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
LATTER DAY SAINTS, MORMON

Tommy Kearsley

Information on KEARSLEY TOMMY L

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 11W

Information on helicopter or incident 68-16244

101st Monument

 

 

Larry Franklin Mattingly

1LT - Lost 05/04/70 Panel 11W - - Line 96

27 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on May 31, 1942
From INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
His tour of duty began on Jun 27, 1969
Casualty was on May 04, 1970
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
METHODIST

Information on MATTINGLY LARRY FRANKLIN

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 11W

Information on helicopter or incident 68-16244

101st Monument

 

Thomas Oliver Ahlberg

Sgt. - Lost 05/04/70 Panel 11W - - Line 94

19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Feb 03, 1951
From IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO
His tour of duty began on Nov 09, 1969
Casualty was on May 04, 1970
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
LATTER DAY SAINTS, MORMON

Virtual Wall - Thomas Ahlberg, SGT, Army, Idaho Falls ID, 04May70 11W094

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 11W

Information on helicopter or incident 68-16244

101st Monument

 

Dean L. Aitken

SGT - Lost 05/04/70 Panel - - Line

20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Apr 28, 1950
From VERNAL, UTAH
His tour of duty began on Feb 20, 1970
Casualty was on May 04, 1970
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
LATTER DAY SAINTS, MORMON

 

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 11W

Information on helicopter or incident 68-16244

101st Monument

 

Rodney Alan Taylor

SGT - Lost 05/04/70 Panel 11W - - Line 97

18 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jun 05, 1951
From SEADRIFT, TEXAS
His tour of duty began on Feb 17, 1970
Casualty was on May 04, 1970
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 11W

Information on helicopter or incident 68-16244

101st Monument

 

 

Sgt Dan Guinn Feezell

Lost 08/12/70 - Panel 08W - Row 104

Home of Record (official): WILMINGTON IL

Date of Birth: Wednesday, March 10, 1948

Race: Caucasian Marital Status: Single

Age at time of loss: 22

Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died Reason: Air loss

Crashed on land (Crew member - Helicopter)

SGT Dan Guinn Feezell

 More on this incident from other Comancheros flying with Dan Feezell on 08/12/1970

Feezells and the Vietnam Conflict - Dan Guinn Feezell | feezell.org

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 08W

101st Monument

 

 

Cpt David W. Ayers

Lost 07/20/70 - Panel 8W -- Line 34

Home of Record (official): SIMI, CA

Date of Birth: Sunday, May 20, 1945

Start of Tour: Friday, June 26, 1970

Date of Casualty: Monday, July 20, 1970

Age at time of loss: 25

Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died Reason: Air loss Shot down in Laos, died on impact, helicopter burned before body could be removed.

Information on AYERS DAVID WILLIAM

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 08W

Information on helicopter or incident 68-16550

101st Monument

 

 

 

KIA/MIA - 1969

 

 

Gregory Gerald Fuchs

CPT - Lost 06/04/69 Panel 23W - - Line 63

22 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Oct 16, 1946
From BRECKSVILLE, OHIO
Length of service 3 years.
His tour of duty began on Jan 02, 1969
Casualty was on Jun 04, 1969
in QUANG TIN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
FRIENDS, QUAKERS

Information on FUCHS GREGORY GERALD

Information on helicopter or incident 66-00819

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 23W

101st Monument


 

Edwin Franklin Sholar

WO1 - Lost 06/04/69 Panel 23W - - Line 68

22 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Mar 04, 1947
From MURRAY, KENTUCKY
His tour of duty began on Feb 03, 1969
Casualty was on Jun 04, 1969
in QUANG TIN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST

Information on SHOLAR EDWIN FRANKLIN

Information on helicopter or incident 66-00819

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 23W

101st Monument

Richard Leigh Barnes

SP4 - Lost 06/04/69 Panel 23W - - Line 61

21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Mar 06, 1948
From BELLFLOWER, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 2 years.
His tour of duty began on Jul 11, 1967
Casualty was on Jun 04, 1969
in QUANG TIN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered

 

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 23W

Information on helicopter or incident 66-00819

101st Monument

Stephen Lord Roberts

SP4 - Lost 06/04/69 Panel 23W - - Line 67
21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Feb 06, 1948
From REDLANDS, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Oct 12, 1968
Casualty was on Jun 04, 1969
in QUANG TIN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT

 

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 23W

Information on helicopter or incident 66-00819

101st Monument

 

Ed White, Comanchero 11, A/101 6901-6908 remembers:

At Chu Lai we flew two ships on Resupply missions because the enemy situation was so bad. On the day of their mishap, Greg and Ed were flying as wingmen to Steve DeMars and me. We had one last load to take out to Firebase Professional and one pax (American) to go to the battalion rear. I cannot remember what unit we were resupplying. DeMars and I had the load, and they had the passenger. Since we were going home after this sortie Greg and Ed did not fly all the way to Professional with us...why expose two aircraft to all that 51 caliber stuff? They chose to orbit somewhere near Firebase Young and wait for us to come back from making our drop. Steve and I made it in and out of Professional and headed back towards Young to rendezvous with the other ship. We made several calls on the company FM but there was no answer. Following one of those calls we picked up a call from our Operations saying they had heard what sounded like "help" a few minutes before.

About that time we spotted a column of dark smoke rising somewhere east of Firebase Young. We beat feet towards the smoke and as we got closer we could tell it was an aircraft burning. We landed nearby and I got out along with the door gunner (I think) and ran to the aircraft. When we got to the aircraft, there was nothing left except the vertical fin with the Screaming Eagle and the tail number. The aircraft was an UH-1H, number 66-00819. I stayed on the ground with the door gunner, and his M-60 while Steve went airborne to relay the message to Operations. He also guided the folk from the company to the site. There was nothing we (the door gunner and me) could do on the ground but wait for everyone to arrive. After the recovery, Steve and I flew the remains of all five personnel to graves registration. I don't think there was ever an "OFFICIAL" determination as to what happened...but the one major piece of evidence was a chicken plate assumed to be the crew chiefs with a circular pattern of shrapnel.


Information on US Army Helicopter UH-1H #66-00819

 

 KIA/MIA - 1968

 

 

Brian Hardman Philibert

WO1 - Lost 04/24/68 Panel 51E - - Line 49

24 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Oct 14, 1943
From FT WORTH, TEXAS
His tour of duty began on Dec 08, 1967
Casualty was on Apr 24, 1968
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing
HELICOPTER - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST

Information on PHILIBERT BRIAN HARDMAN

101st Monument

Information on helicopter or incident 66-16490

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 51E


 

Stuart Arthur Werner

WO1 - Lost 04/24/68 Panel 52E - - Line 2

22 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Sep 08, 1945
From SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 2 years.
His tour of duty began on Apr 01, 1968
Casualty was on Apr 24, 1968
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing
HELICOPTER - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN

Information on WERNER STUART ARTHUR

101st Monument

Information on helicopter or incident 66-16490

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 51E


 

Ralph Fredenberg

SP4 - Lost 04/24/68 Panel 51E - - Line 45

20 year old Single, American Indian, Male
Born on Oct 13, 1947
From SHAWANO, WISCONSIN
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Oct 26, 1967
Casualty was on Apr 24, 1968
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing
HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC

101st Monument

Information on helicopter or incident 66-16490

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 51E


 

Buford Gerald Johnson

SP5 - Lost 04/24/68 Panel 51E - - Line 47
19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Nov 05, 1948
From WINTER GARDEN, FLORIDA
Length of service 2 years.
His tour of duty began on Sep 18, 1967
Casualty was on Apr 24, 1968
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing
HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST

 

101st Monument

Information on helicopter or incident 66-16490

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 51E

Information on US Army Helicopter UH-1D - Tail #66-16490 

 

DENNIS KNUTE BLAIN

PFC - E3 - Lost Sep 25, 1968 - Panel 42W - Line 9

101st Airborne Division
21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Sep 01, 1947
From PORTLAND, MAINE
His tour of duty began on Sep 05, 1968
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC

Bill Thomas, A/101 AVN, 68/69, remembers:

 I would like to tell you about Dennis Blaine. He was only eighteen years old. He was new to the company and my helicopter was down for the 100-hour inspection.

Dennis was supposed to be my new door gunner. I was down in maintenance. Working on my helicopter and he flew a couple of missions on another ship. Co. C. needed a extra helicopter for a combat assault. Mine came out a little early from maintenance. So we were assigned to fly with C. Co.

We were the last ship in the LZ that day and that was when Dennis was killed. He died in my arms on the way to medivac. Maybe this is why you didn't find his name because we were flying with Co C. but we were 1st flight platoon, Co A 101st AVN.

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 42W

101st Monument

 

VERLYN GWEN MEYER

CAPT - O3 - lost 08/22/68 - Panel 47W - Line 29

25 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Sep 20, 1942
From LENNOX, SOUTH DAKOTA
Length of service 4 years.
His tour of duty began on Nov 02, 1967
Casualty was on Aug 22, 1968
in LAM DONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
PRESBYTERIAN
UH-1C  66-15119

Information on MEYER VERLYN GWEN

101st Monument

Information on helicopter or incident 66-15119

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 47W

KIA/MIA - 1966

 

HUGH FRED SPAIN

Lost on 01/10/66 -- Panel 04E-062

Name: SP4 Hugh Fred Spain
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/10/66 while performing the duty of Crew Chief.
Age at death: 24.5
Date of Birth: 06/30/41
Home City: Joelton, TN
Service: component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: A/101 AVN 101 ABN
Major organization: 101st Airborne Division
Service: U.S. Army.
Short Summary: Single 30 cal in chest on a scramble mission to an out post that was being over run near Soc Trang. Not wearing a chest protector.
Aircraft: UH-1D - Service number: 53382814
Country: South Vietnam - MOS: 68N20
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: small arms fire
Vehicle involved: helicopter - Position in vehicle: crew chief
Started Tour: 04/12/65
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew - Reason: aircraft lost or crashed - Location: Unknown Province
Length of service: 01 - Casualty type: Hostile - died of wounds
single male U.S. citizen - Race: Caucasian
Religion: Protestant - no denominational preference

 

Chuck Slezak, Co A 101 Avn Bn, 101st Airborne, Soc Trang RVN 9/65 -9/66, provides the following information about Hugh Spain:

Although I don't know what the tail number of ship that he KIA'd in. It was a 'D' model and was close to the same tail number as mine. MINE was Warrior # 25 and S/N 64-13575. As all of these birds came over at the same time with Co A, 101st Aviation Bn in March of '65 on the Aircraft Carrier Iwo Jima, I would guess it had to be close to the same number as mine. I believe they were all new birds when they came over and were all delivered to the Army at the same time.
The day Hugh KIA'd was a very light day for us. I didn't fly that morning and Hugh's ship flew what we called a VIP mission that morning. Most likely they flew a Col. or Gen. around somewhere. They returned to Soc Trang about noon. Hugh had lunch with us and after eating we went out to the flight line to work on our ships and await any possible missions. Hugh and I got into a game of horseshoes on the flight line when we got scrambled. Seems, as I recall, a small base was getting hit at the time. Hugh either failed to put on his chicken plate or left it on the flight line when they scrambled. Hugh took a 30 cal in the chest.

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 04E

101st Monument

 

A few months ago Hugh Spain's son in law, Paul Lamb, contacted me and asked me if I could help him with a project he was working on for Christmas for Hugh's Brother. I couldn't give him very much info about Hugh since Hugh and I had just become friends a few weeks before he was a KIA. But I told Paul what I could about Hugh. Here is the project he was working on for Hugh's brother. Chuck Slezak

 

 

GERALD WALTER WARZECHA

Lost on Jun 17 1966 - Panel 08E - - Line 57

PFC - Army - Regular
18 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Oct 08 1947
From CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Nov 29 1965
South Vietnam
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion - ROMAN CATHOLIC

US Army Helicopter UH-1B #64-13993

Take this link to see a letter that Chuck Slezak wrote home about Gerry's death

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 08E

101st Monument

 

 

KIA/MIA - 1965

 

 

Leonard John Dadante

1LT - O2 - Army - Reserve
23 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Nov 30, 1941
From CLEVELAND, OHIO
Length of service 2 years.
His tour of duty began on May 24, 1965
Casualty was on Sep 09, 1965
in SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 02E - - Line 78

Information on DADANTE LEONARD JOHN

Information on helicopter or incident 63-08550

101st Monument

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02E

 

Robert Willian Reagan

CWO - W2 - Army - Reserve
34 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Feb 04, 1931
From MIAMI, FLORIDA
Length of service 4 years.
His tour of duty began on Feb 28, 1965
Casualty was on Sep 09, 1965
in SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
METHODIST
Panel 02E - - Line 79

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02E

Information on helicopter or incident 63-08550

101st Monument

 

Erich Simkaitis

SP5 - E5 - Army - Regular
101st Airborne Division
22 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jan 22, 1943
From TAMPA, FLORIDA
Length of service 3 years.
His tour of duty began on Apr 12, 1965
Casualty was on Sep 09, 1965
in SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD
Panel 02E - - Line 80

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02E

Information on helicopter or incident 63-08550

101st Monument

This is a picture of our entire crew a few days before T-Bird 3 was shot down and all hands lost. Simkaitis was the only one of our normal crew on board. Deppen our gunner had completed his tour (from the 20th in Hawaii) and John Daum and myself had been told that we had been "hogging" flight time so Leonard Dadante and Robert Reagan would fly our aircraft that day. The Lord works in mysterious ways. Eric Simkaitis is kneeling down with me so we could see the T-Bird on the nose. By Ron Crotty

 

Harry Allan Hipke

PFC - E3 - Army - Regular
101st Airborne Division
18 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Dec 17, 1946
From GLEASON, WISCONSIN
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Sep 05, 1965
Casualty was on Sep 09, 1965
in SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD
Panel 02E - - Line 79

Photograph provided by Debbie Mach, Harry is her uncle, her mothers brother.

Information on helicopter or incident 63-08550

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02E

101st Monument

 

JAMES ALBERT HALL

Ed Schmelzer sends

On 9 July, the first casualty of the company was officially listed in the daily log. The man, PFC James A. Hall, was killed in action while participating on an operation Northeast of Soc Trang near the town of Go Cong. The soldier was a crew chief on one of the company's aircraft. Hall was a 25th Inf. guy assigned to us as a TDY door gunner. The archive mistakenly identifies him as a crew chief. He wasn't listed in our list of KIA's because he was TDY from the 25th, at least that is my assumption. He was one of us, crewing on a Warrior ship, and I hope we remember him as well as the rest that gave all there was to give.

 

JAMES ALBERT HALL

PFC - E3 - Army - Regular
25th Infantry Division
19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on May 15, 1946
From LAKEWOOD, OHIO
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on May 08, 1965
Casualty was on Jul 09, 1965
SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
 
Panel 02E - - Line 33

 

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02E

101st Monument

 

TERRY WINTERMOYER


TERRY WINTERMOYER
SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular
MACV Advisors
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Sep 10, 1945
From SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND
His tour of duty began on May 01, 1965
Casualty was on Nov 22, 1965
SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered

Panel 03E - - Line 109

Photographs provided by Thomas Nichols

 

Ed Schmelzer sends

Another man that was one of ours but was KIA after he left the company was Terry Wintermoyer. I remember Terry because he was my best friend. I got to know Terry on the trip over on the Iwo Jima, he bunked right above me. He seemed so young to me, even though I was just a year older. He was very different than me. He wanted to be a career soldier while I just wanted to finish my enlistment and get on with things. He read books about Vietnam while I gazed over the rail and looked at the Pacific. He would read passages out of Street Without Joy to me and wonder how what he was reading would relate to us. When we got to Vietnam Terry started learning to speak Vietnamese as best he could, I was content with di-di, beacoup, and numa 10.
Shortly after we got to Soc Trang Terry began thinking he wasn't doing enough personally to win the war. He thought his place was in some capacity that would put him in combat on the ground, face to face with the enemy. He asked around, and somehow got in contact with a MACV Advisor operating in 1 Corps. He got transferred to become the advisor's RTO. At some point after going up north he sent me a letter saying he would be in Saigon on in-country R&R (I guess) on a certain weekend. I got a pass and caught a hop to Saigon and met him at the big hotel everyone stayed at. (CRS the Empress Hotel?) He told me some war stories and what stays with me is his telling me of walking into an ambush during which time his radio antenna was shot off. He told me of laying in the mud trying to get small and trying to return fire with a pistol (all he had) and of that face to face shit not being as glamorous as he had envisioned. He suddenly seem a little older and more vulnerable to me. When we parted after that meeting I never saw Terry again. I learned of his death when Ron Kelly, our armorer, stopped by my house on his way home. Later, when I looked for information for Terry I found that he was killed on November 22, 1965.
On that day I think I was sitting in Oakland waiting to be discharged from the Army. I couldn't have been happier with my situation at the moment Terry was being gunned down in the jungle someplace in Vietnam.
I think of all of our lost bothers often, I think of Terry most every day.

Death Stalked the Night- An article about the battle that took Terry Wintermoyer's life

Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 03E

101st Monument

The Wall

There are 58,267 names now listed on that polished black wall, including those added in 2010.
The names are arranged in the order in which they were taken from us by date and within each date the names are alphabetized. It is hard to believe it is 36 years since the last casualties.
Beginning at the apex on panel 1E and going out to the end of the East wall, appearing to recede into the earth (numbered 70E - May 25, 1968), then resuming at the end of the West wall, as the wall emerges from the earth (numbered 70W - continuing May 25, 1968) and ending with a date in 1975. Thus the war's beginning and end meet. The war is complete, coming full circle, yet broken by the earth that bounds the angle's open side and contained within the earth itself.
The first known casualty was Richard B. Fitzgibbon, of North Weymouth, Mass. listed by the U.S. Department of Defense as having been killed on June 8, 1956.
His name is listed on the Wall with that of his son, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Richard B. Fitzgibbon III, who was killed on Sept. 7, 1965.
There are three sets of fathers and sons on the Wall.
39,996 on the Wall were just 22 or younger.
The largest age group, 8,283 were just 19 years old
3,103 were 18 years old.
12 soldiers on the Wall were 17 years old.
5 soldiers on the Wall were 16 years old.
One soldier, PFC Dan Bullock was 15 years old.
997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam.
1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam.
31 sets of brothers are on the Wall.
Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons.
54 soldiers on the Wall attended Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia. I wonder why so many from one school.
8 Women are on the Wall. Nursing the wounded.
244 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War; 153 of them are on the Wall.
Beallsville, Ohio with a population of 475 lost 6 of her sons.
West Virginia had the highest casualty rate per capita in the nation. There are 711 West Virginians on the Wall.
The Marines of Morenci - They led some of the scrappiest high school football and basketball teams that the little Arizona copper town of Morenci (pop. 5,058) had ever known and cheered. They enjoyed roaring beer busts. In quieter moments, they rode horses along the Coronado Trail, stalked deer in the Apache National Forest. And in the patriotic camaraderie typical of Morenci's mining families, the nine graduates of Morenci High enlisted as a group in the Marine Corps. Their service began on Independence Day, 1966. Only 3 returned home.
The Buddies of Midvale - LeRoy Tafoya, Jimmy Martinez, Tom Gonzales were all boyhood friends and lived on three consecutive streets in Midvale, Utah on Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues. They lived only a few yards apart. They played ball at the adjacent sandlot ball field. And they all went to Vietnam..
In a span of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three would be killed. LeRoy was killed on Wednesday, Nov. 22, the fourth anniversary of John F. Kennedy's assassination. Jimmy died less than 24 hours later on Thanksgiving Day. Tom was shot dead assaulting the enemy on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
The most casualty deaths for a single day was on January 31, 1968 ~ 245 deaths.
The most casualty deaths for a single month was May 1968 - 2,415 casualties were incurred.
That's 2,415 dead in a single month.


 

 

Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA)
Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association (VHCMA)
Killed in Action (KIA) on The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Panel Number

 

ARMY AIR CREWS: Huey Crewmembers Line of Duty Deaths

ARMY AIR CREWS: Army Aviation Crewmembers Line of Duty Deaths

 

THE NAMES ON THE WALL: A CLOSER LOOK by William F Abbott, Vietnam Veteran

Vietnam War Deaths, Author's Notes

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