Eureka! -- War Stories!

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Date Posted: Sun, November 12 2006, 0:31:29
Author: Jeff Northridge
Author Host/IP: dialup-4.131.208.159.Dial1.SanJose1.Level3.net / 4.131.208.159
Subject: Eureka!
In reply to: Jeff Northridge 's message, "Re: Does anyone remember my husband" on Sat, November 11 2006, 16:15:55

Howdy Gail;

I found it! The VHPA states that the helicopter was indeed a CH-54A (Sky Crane) with a tail number of 64-14204. The accident report says:

Information on U.S. Army helicopter CH-54A tail number 64-14204
Date: 01/05/1966
Incident number: 0D567ACD Accident case number: 0D567 Total Loss Accident
Unit: 478 AVN
South Vietnam
Number killed in accident = 5 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 2
costing 2100000
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Army Aviation Safety Center database. Also: OPERA (Operations Report. )
Loss to Inventory

Crew Members:
P CW3 GAJAN ALTON LOUIS KIA
P CW2 LANE ROBERT CARL KIA
CE SP5 HETZER JOSEPH EDWARD JR KIA
C SP4 BRYAN LIONEL JOHN JR KIA
C SP5 ENGLISH CARVER JOSEPH JR KIA

War Story:
After completing an ammo resupply for an artillery unit, the aircraft was returning to An Khe. Since this was one of the first times they had flown with sling gear that included a net with a canvas bottom, the crew tried an experiment. They let out all 100 feet of cable while the sling equipment dangling from the hook. Either the cable or the sling gear tangled in the tail rotor and whipped into the main rotor blades. One main blade came off and went through the cabin. The aircraft disintegrated, crashed and everyone on board died. This was the first CH-54A loss and fatalities in Vietnam. Since the 478th Avn Co only had four aircraft, this loss significantly impacted their operations. This information was supplied by VHPA member Bob Marsh

Wednesday, March 31, 1999

I haven't the slightest idea why all five individuals were posthumously awarded Purple Hearts since the incident does not seem to be to due hostile causes, but what are you going to do? Send the bodies back to their families with nothing? There are two tributes on the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall to SP5 Hetzer and SP5 English as follows:

Manuel Leon
manuel@lcisp.com
Friend
1515 NW 43rd St
Lawton, OK 73505 USA
Joseph was a very good friend, and very dedicated to his job as a helicopter mechanic and crewchief. My prayers are for you, friend.
Saturday, July 10, 2004 + photograph

and

Durward Small
portplp@aol.com
I served with him in Vietnam in 1966
310 Campbell Ave.
Marion,IN 46952 USA
I would like to make contact with any other soldiers who served with Sgt. English. I would also like to talk to or have contact with any family members. He was a very good soldier, calm and organized. This was very reassuring especially if you got into any type of trouble. You could always count on him to cover for you.

You could try contacting Mr. Leon and Mr. Small. They are the most likely people who will remember SP4 Bryan. Good luck!

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