Hosted by PJs
in Vietnam
Mirrored by Jim Henthorn at his website below.
Last Update:
May 19, 2008
Site Mission:
Provide Para-rescue
and
Air Rescue History
Rescue and SOS SEA Losses
This list was developed and is maintained by Jim Henthorn. Visit his web site at https://911gfx.nexus.net/vietnam.html If you have any corrections to this listing, e-mail Jim at 911gfx@nexus.net
Names listed in red are KIA/MIA; in blue were POW; in black are survivors.
Total Aircraft Losses
Model | Hostile | Operational | Logistical | Unknown |
CH-3 | 15 | 5 | 9 | |
HH-3 | 10 | 4 | 3 | |
HH-53B | 2 | |||
HH-53C | 9 | 9 | 4 | |
CH-53C | 6 | 1 | ||
HU-16 | 4 | |||
HH-43 | 8 | 4 | 1 | |
UH-1F/P/N | 8 | 4 | 1 |
Jolly Green H-3 SEA Losses
Tail Number | Model | Date | Unit | Location | Call Sign | Pilot | CoPilot | Flight Engineer | Pararescueman | Notes |
63-09685 | CH-3E | 6 Nov 65 | 38th ARRS | NVN | Jolly Green | Warren E. Lilly | Jerry Singleton | B. E. Naugle | Arthur Cormier | SAR for SANDY 14 (A-1E Capt McKnight), hit by ground fire. 1st Jolly lost in combat. Note: Retired Col. Warren "Bob" Lilly, 74, died Oct. 12, 2007 in Alabama. Lilly spent seven years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi, alongside Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Sen. McCain wrote: "Bob was not only a good friend, but a real American hero. Throughout the year we spent together as prisoners in Hanoi, I was inspired by his strength and loyal patriotism." |
64-14231 | HH-3E | 29 Nov 66 | Det 5, 38th ARRS | unknown | Jolly Green | Crashed at 1805L while landing at a classified site. Aircraft was engulfed in dust during night landing touchdown; helicopter was totally destroyed by post impact fire. Four aircrew escaped with minor injuries. | ||||
64-14233 | HH-3E | 15 Jan 68 | NVN | Jolly Green 20 | Gregory A. Etzel | David E. Holt | Elwood R. Beam | Angus W. Sowell | Aircraft was flying SAR mission for PREVIEW 01 (EB-66C) when it went below the clouds to look for survivors. Aircraft lost power due to ground fire. | |
65-12778 | HH-3E | 20 Oct 66 | 38th ARRS | Jolly Green | Youngblood | E. Burford | ||||
65-12779 | HH-3E | 6 Feb 67 | 38th ARRS | NVN | Jolly Green 05 | Patrick H. Wood | Richard A. Kibbey | Donald J. Hall | Duane A. Hackney | The helicopter was hit by ground fire while flying SAR for NAIL 65; crash site located atop 900 meter karst. |
65-12782 | HH-3E | 5 Oct 68 | 37th ARRS | Laos | Jolly Green 10 | Vernon Granier | Albert D. Wester | Gregory P. Lawrence | Earnest Casbeer | While attempting to extract a Special Forces team in contact with the enemy, the aircraft received intensive ground fire which damaged aircraft, followed by a fire. |
65-12785 | HH-3E | 21 Nov 70 | 40th ARRS | NVN | Banana 1 | Herb Kalen | Herb Zender | Leroy Wright | 14 man SF assault force | Son Tay Raider, Crashed into compound |
65-12786 | CH-3E | 16 Oct 68 | 37th ARRS | NVN | Jolly Green 24 | Richard Griffiths | Harry Hagen | Mickey D. Berry | Robert Cassidy | The helicopter experienced loss of transmission fluid from ground fire, landed in the sea, but sank in rough seas. |
66-13279 | HH-3E | 9 Nov 67 | 37th ARRS | Laos | Jolly Green 26 | Gerald O. Young | Ralph W. Brower | Eugene L. Clay | Larry W. Maysey | Aircraft was hit on takeoff by ground fire after MEDEVAC of USA personnel. Pilot awarded MOH for this mission. |
66-13280 | HH-3E | 15 Apr 70 | 37th ARRS | SVN | Jolly Green 27 | Travis H. Scott, Jr. | Travis Wofford | Gerald L. Hartzel | L. E. Davis | Caught fire, FE died of wounds after. |
66-13281 | HH-3E | 24 Oct 69 | 37th ARRS | Laos | Jolly Green 28 | Charlie Langham | Charles W. Bond | James E. Smith | Donald G. Smith | Downed by ground fire during SAR for MISTY 11 (F-100F 1Lt A. D. Muller and Capt J. Clapper) aircraft destroyed by friendly aircraft. |
66-13282 | HH-3E | 20 Oct 68 | 37th ARRS | NVN | Jolly Green 29 | Gerald Moore | Lawrence Davis | Robert Anderson | Steven T. White | North Vietnam, at 0717H, the helicopter had made water landing to recover the crew of DOVER 01 (F-4D, 1Lt Donald D Amico & 1Lt Sammy F. Wilburn, 366th TFW Danang, both recovered) when the aircraft was hit by enemy fire from Tiger Island, lost rotor blade and caught fire; at 0833H the crew was picked up from rafts by JG31 and JG33. At 0940H, it was reported JG29 was floating belly up and at 1215H it sank. |
66-13283 | HH-3E | 27 Oct 67 | 37th ARRS | Laos | Jolly Green 30 | R. Richard Mulder | Warren E. Walter | Smith Williams, Jr. | Michael L. Walker | Aircraft was hit by ground fire while hovering to pick up ground party when it lost engine, aircraft was destroyed by bombing. Survivors and ground party rescued by Jolly Green 07. |
67-14710 | HH-3E | 9 Jun 68 | 37th ARRS | SVN | Jolly Green 23 | Jack Rittichier | Richard C. Yeend, Jr | Elmer L. Holden | James D. Locker | JOLLY GREEN 23 was flying a SAR mission for HELLBORNE 215, a USMC A-4E piloted by 1Lt Walter R. Schmidt Jr. (MIA), who was downed northwest of the A Shau Valley. Voice contact was established with the survivor, who reported he possibly had a broken leg. Several attempts at pickup were made by the lead helicopter, JG22, but they were unsuccessful due to the intense ground fire. After suppressive fire was put in, JG23 moved in to attempt the pickup, JG23 reported taking hits and then caught fire. The pilot attempted to land in a small clearing, but the helicopter exploded when it hit the ground and burned intensely. There were no indications anyone survived the crash. The pilot of JG23, LTJG Jack Rittichier, was a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter pilot, he was the only USCG man who was unaccounted for in SEA and was the first USCG casualty of the Vietnam war. He was part of a pilot exchange program between the USAF and Coast Guard. |
Special Operations H-3 SEA Losses
Tail Number | Model | Date | Unit | Location | Call Sign | Pilot | CoPilot | Flight Engineer | Gunner/Other | Gunner/Other | Notes |
62-12579 | CH-3C | 6 Oct 69 | 21st SOS, 56th SOW, NKP | Laos | Knife 62 | P.J. Conran | P.L.Costa | Franklin | H.L. Ramsey (FE) | Muang Phine Airport, with 52 indigenous personnel aboard both aircraft, all rescued. Along with 64-14222 | |
62-12582 | CH-3C | 17 Jan 69 | 20th SOS, Udorn | Laos | Pony Express 20 | Walter W. Martin | Richard A.Fleming | Albert J. Davis | Helicopter was hit by small arms fire while hovering at LS36, Na Khang; mission was TACAN site support, loss coord 2002N10328E.Additional Info. Two crew chiefs and 1 passenger survived | ||
63-09678 | CH-3E | 30 Dec 67 | 20th HS 14th ACW, Udorn Nha Trang |
Laos | Pony Express 30 | G. Bumford | R.B. Glover | ||||
63-09681 | CH-3E | 13 Aug 70 | 21st SOS, 56th SOW, NKP | Thailand | Skycap 36 | Alan B. Cheeseman | George D. Henry | Terry D. Reams | William L. Ripley | W. L. Genez (Pilot) | Hit by a 12.7mm round which blew up the hydraulic accumulators and knocked out both engines. They were on a training mission for a new pilot and instructor. Also delivering parts from NKP to Ubon. Crashed near Ubon Thailand. |
63-09682 | CH-3E | 17 Feb 69 | 14th SOW Udorn |
Laos | Pony Express 16 | Belanger | B.L. Athon | Special Air Warfare, after landing was made due oil system failure, aircraft found burning by repair crew. | |||
63-09689 | CH-3E | 19 Jan 69 | 21st SOS, 56th SOW, NKP | Thailand | Dusty 689 | Troy Lindabury | Phil Conran | James J Clouse | Bill Sawyer | During a landing off base at night at the scene of fires started when a A-26 jettisoned their bomb load - pilot experienced vertigo and the helicopter settled into the trees. One Thai Guard was killed in the crash. Helicopter was destroyed. | |
64-14222 | CH-3E | 6 Oct 69 | 21st SOS, 56th SOW, NKP | Laos | Knife 61 | C.D. Taylor | T.D. Silva | Cossiboom | Reynolds (FE) | Muang Phine Airport, with 52 indigenous personnel aboard both aircraft, all rescued. Along with 62-12579 | |
64-14236 | CH-3E | 23 Aug 67 | 20th HS, 14th ACW, Udorn | Laos | Pony Express | Patterson | J. P. McCollum | C.W. Paugh | acft lost rotor RPM short of landing zone and struck ground. | ||
64-14237 | CH-3E | 26 Feb 69 | 21st SOS, 56th SOW, NKP | Laos | Knife 51 | John Holt | J.W. Hughs | C.F. Hill | W.J. Smith (FE) | B. Copelin (ACM) | IGLOO WHITE mission, hit by ground fire, helo later destroyed by friendly aircraft. |
65-15691 | CH-3E | 27 Jun 69 | 21st SOS, 56th SOW, NKP | Laos | Knife 22 | Gerald T. Henery | F. L. Mattos | J.D. Adams | Hernand E. Wilson (FE) | picking up team involved in firefight. | |
66-13287 | CH-3E | 24 Oct 70 | 21st SOS, 56th SOW, NKP | Laos | Knife 33 | Craig B. Schiele | Ronald R. Kunz | Thomas E. Heideman | Wallace (NMI) Spivey | The helo was in a flight of two extracting indigenous personnel from a hill top LZ. The helo picked up 11 personnel and as the aircraft lifted off, it turned and fell into trees 200 meters from the LZ. A short time later, the other helo picked up 8 indigenous personnel who said the entire crew of the helicopter was dead; however, 20 minutes later, radio contact was made with the survivors and they, along with the body of the pilot were recovered. | |
66-13288 | CH-3E | 3 Feb 70 | 21st SOS, 56th SOW, NKP | Laos | Knife 51 | J. C. Hughes | J. P. Stuart | H.L. Ramsey | B.A. Smith | Aircraft was hit by ground fire, lost power, crashed, and burned. Aircraft was destroyed by friendly aircraft. | |
66-13294 | CH-3E | 30 Mar 68 | 21st SOS, 56th ACW, NKP | Laos | Dusty 51 | Richard D. Bryant | Schermerhorn | Jeffery Zinn | Thomas Bullington (FE) | Johnnie Garrett (FE) | Aircraft was delivering sensors when hit by ground fire and was forced to land. |
66-13295 | CH-3E | 23 May 68 | 21st SOS, 56th ACW, NKP | SVN | Dusty 51 | James P. McCollum | William H. Taylor | John L. Coon | John E. Albanese | Robert A. Fink | helo was lost to unknown causes while flying a sensor delivery mission, crash site could not be reached due to heavy enemy activity. Note: Crew remains were eventually recovered. |
67-14702 | CH-3E | 15 Jan 69 | 21st SOS, 56th SOW, NKP | Laos | Knife 54 | Gerald T. Henery | Adams | Gerard Bucknall | Hernand E. Wilson | see 65-15691 above, same crew except for Bucknall and Mattos. Acft was on Prairie Fire emergency extraction, was hit by ground fire, crash landed, later destroyed by friendly aircraft. |
Jolly Green HH-53 SEA Losses
Tail Number | Model | Date | Unit | Location | Call Sign | Pilot | CoPilot | Flight Engineer | Pararescueman | Pararescueman | Other | Notes |
C | 5 Dec 69 | 40th ARRS | Jolly Green 69 | Joe Brown | Holly Bell | Jim Nash | Ron Jeczala | BURNED, possible ZPU ground fire, during Boxer 22 mission. Jolly later recovered and apparently rebuilt. | ||||
C | 2 Apr 69 | 40th ARRS | Thailand | Jolly Green 78 | Capt. Cole | Jim Nash | Donald Johnson | Crashed about ten miles south of Udorn RTAFB Thailand. | ||||
66-14430 | B | 18 Jan 69 | 40th ARRS | Laos | Jolly Green 67 | Paul J. Darghty | Barton C. Libby | James R. Purdue | Thomas R. Pope | Donald Johnson | mission was SAR for SANDY 02, an A-1H piloted by LTC Lurie Morris (Rescued) who was shotdown on 17 January. The helo was recovering LTC Morris when the aircraft was hit by ground fire, lost it's hydralic system (SAR log reports first stage servo) and made an emergency landing, at 1245G, nine miles southeast of Tchephone Laos. At 1251G, JG-70 landed and picked up everyone on board JG-67, along with LTC Morris, the survivor. At 1300G, the order was given for fast movers to destroy JG-67; at 1508G the SAR log reads "RUSTIC flight got a good hit on JG-67 - its burning - lots of green backs going up in flames.". | |
66-14434 | B | 28 Jan 70 | 40th ARRS | NVN | Jolly Green 71 | Holly G. Bell | Leonard C. Leeser | William C. Shinn | William D. Pruett | William C. Sutton | Gregory L. Anderson (Photog) |
hit by missile fired from MIG during SAR for SEABIRD 02 (F-105G). The Mig-21 was piloted by Vu Ngoc Dinh who then had 6 total kills. He was with the 921st Flight Regiment. |
68-8283 | C | 30 Jun 70 | 40th ARRS | Laos | Jolly Green 54 | Leroy C. Schaneberg | John W. Goeglein | Marvin E. Bell | Paul L. Jenkins | Michael F. Dean | hit by ground fire during SAR for NAIL 44 (OV-10A), crash site excavated Dec 93, remains identified as a group 7 March 1995. | |
68-8285 | C | 21 Jul 71 | 40th ARRS | Laos | Jolly Green 54 | C. Bennet | B. Robben | Chuck McGrath | shot down while recovering drone. | |||
68-10366 | C | 25 Nov 71 | 37th ARRS | SVN | Jolly Green 70 | Robert B. Swenck | John W. George | H. Theriot | Thomas D. Prose | James R. Thomas | R.L. Steed (PJ ) | SAR mission, crashed Song Na River |
68-10359 | C | 27 Mar 72 | 40th ARRS | Cambodia | Jolly Green 61 | David E. Pannabecker | Richard E. Dreher | James Manor | Raymond J. Crow, Jr | Raymond A. Wagner | crashed from unknown causes | |
68-10361 | C | 18 Aug 72 | 37th ARRS | SVN | Jolly Green | No Fatalities | No crew on | board | Destroyed on the ramp by a VC 122mm rocket. | |||
68-10365 | C | 6 Apr 72 | 37th ARRS | SVN | Jolly Green 67 | Peter H. Chapman, II | John H. Call, III | Roy D. Prater | Allen J. Avery | William R. Pearson | James Alley (Photog) | SAR mission for BAT 21 (EB-66C), crash site excavated May 94, remains of crew buried in Nov. 1997. |
68-10362 | C | 14 Jun 73 | 40th ARRS | Cambodia | Jolly Green 64 | Gilbert A. Rovito | Francis E. Meador | David V. McLeod, Jr | Karl C. Morgan | Stephen L. Caldwell | Tail rotor lost, crashed into Tonle Sap | |
68-10788 | C | 27 Dec 72 | 40th ARRS | NVN | Jolly Green 73 | Richard D. Shapiro | Miguel A. Pereira | Charles J. Rouhier | Robert W. Jones | John R. Carlson | Down in Laos, no names for crew, SAR for JACKEL 22, F-111A crew downed on 22 Dec 72 (both crew captured and released). USAF loss listing reads "Aircraft unable to take on fuel, lost due to fuel starvation, aircraft destroyed by A-7." SAR log entries indicate refueling probe shot up, last entry reads " JG73 hit at 2049N10534E (In NVN), in a hover, down at 1957N10347E (NE of Ban Ban), destroyed by SANDY six. |
Special Operations CH-53 SEA Losses
Tail Number | Date | Unit | Location | Call Sign | Pilot | CoPilot | Flight Engineer | Flight Engineer | Other | Notes |
68-10925 | 15 May 75 | 21st SOS | Cambodia | Knife 31 | Howard A. Carson Jr. | Richard Vandegeer | Jon D. Harston | Randy L. Hoffmaster | Assualt on Koh Tang Island. The aircraft with 20 Marines and 2 Navy medics on board was hit by ground fire as it approached the Eastern Beach of Koh Tang Island. The pilot attempted to pull back to deeper water, but a direct hit to the cockpit brought the aircraft down in waste deep water, near the surf line, where it burst into flames. Thirteen onboard the helicopter survived the crash and swam out to sea where they were rescued, the copilot and 12 of the passengers were not recovered. | |
68-10926 | 15 May 75 | 21st SOS | Cambodia | Knife 21 | John H. Denham | Karl W. Poulsen | Robert A. Boissonnault | Elwood E. Rumbaugh | Assualt on Koh Tang Island. While off-loading Marines on the Western Beach of Koh Tang Island, the helicopter was hit by ground fire. The pilot managed a single engine takeoff and headed out to sea, skipping along the water, and taking on water each time it hit the surface. The aircraft made it nearly a mile off shore when it crashed. The aircraft rolled on it left side and all of the crew managed to exit the aircraft; however, SSgt Rumbaugh disappeared a short time later and it is beleived he drowned. | |
68-10927 | 15 May 75 | 21st SOS | Cambodia | Knife 23 | John H. Schramm | John P. Lucas | Ronald A. Gross | Eduardo E. Arrieta | James M. Barschow, (Photog) | KNIFE 23 was alongside KNIFE 31 during the intial attempt to insert Marines onto the Eastern Beach of Koh Tang Island. As they approached the beach, the two aircraft came under intense ground fire. Just after KNIFE 31explosed in flames, Knife 23 lost an engine and made a hard landing on the beach, loosing its entire tail section. The crew and the 20 Marines onboard exited the aircraft and made it to the treeline and were later rescued. |
68-10929 | 18 Feb 71 | 21st SOS | Laos | Knife 47 | Roger Korenberg | Lyle Horner | Carl DeMattos | Augie Lawson | Laos, 11 people on board. The official accident investigation report listed the aircraft as a combat loss due to groundfire. All rescued by KNIFE 33. | |
68-10931 | 1 Mar 71 | 21st SOS | Laos | Knife 34 | Milton H. Ramsey | Albert Tijerina, Jr. | G. Pearson | F. Deck | at Lima Site 20, crashed on landing, hit ground, spun right, rolled down hill, flipped, burst into flames. Two flight engineers survived. | |
68-10933 | 14 May 75 | 21st SOS | Thailand | Knife | James G. Kayes | Laurence E. Froehlich | Robert P. Weldon | George E. McMullen | The helicopter departed launched from Nakhom Phanom airfield at 2030 on 13 May 1975 with a crew of five and 18 USAF Security Police onboard to assist in the recovery operation for the USS Mayaquez. The helicopter disappeared from the airfield's departure radar 40 miles west of the airfield. All onboard were killed. | |
70-1627 | 15 May 75 | 21st SOS | Cambodia | Knife 22 | Terry D. Ohlemeier | David W. Greer | Michael C. Wilson | Norman A. Paul | KNIFE 22, along with KNIFE 21, was attempting to insert Marines into the western beach of Koh Tang Island. On the run into the beach. the aircraft received heavy damage, which caused a fuel lead. Unable to off load the Marines, the aircraft attempted to return to its staging base, but ran out of fuel and was forced to make an emergency landing on the mainland. | |
70-1628 | 24 Jan 75 | 21st SOS | Knife | Gary C. Hall | Bryan A. Rye | James K. Hurley | Garry W. Hermanson |
Rescue HU-16 SEA Losses
Tail Number | Date | Unit | Location | Call Sign | Pilot | CoPilot | Navigator | Flight Engineer | Flight Engineer | Radio Operator | Pararescue | Notes |
51-058 | 3 Jul 65 | NVN |
|
|
Not in USAF listing, Grid YG105019, approximately 120 kilometers off the coast of North Vietnam, no further information |
|||||||
51-5287 | 19 Jun 65 | Not is USAF Listing, No Grid, no further information | ||||||||||
51-0071 | 14 Mar 66 | 33rd ARRS, Tan Son Nhut AB | NVN | Crown Bravo | Westenbar | W.E. Hall | D.S. Price | C. Jackson | Robert L. Hilton | James. E. Pleiman | Aircraft lost while flying rescue mission for PLUTO ONE, F-4C 64-0740, Maj J. Peerson, pilot, and Capt L.C. Bryant copilot, both recovered. The aircraft landed in the water to pick up the survivors, was hit by enemy gunfire, and caught fire. The crew abandoned the aircraft and it sank. The six survivors, four crewmembers and the crew of PLUTO ONE were picked up by a U.S. Navy helicopter, it is assumed the two unaccounted for individuals went down with the aircraft. The remains of one of the crewmembers reportedly washed ashore after the incident and were buried by the North Vietnamese. What are believed to be the buried remains were turned over to the U.S. in December 1988. These remains were identified as A1C Pleiman on 13 March 1989. | |
51-7145 | 18 Oct 66 | 37th ARRS, Danang | NVN | Crown Bravo | Ralph H. Angstadt | John Henry S. Long | Inzar W. Rackley Jr. | Robert L. Hill | John R. Shoneck | Lawrence (NMI) Clark | Steven H. Adams | The aircraft was on a SAR orbit north of the DMZ and reported to a Navy ship he was returning to his home station, Danang. This was the last contact with the aircraft and no trace of the aircraft or crew was ever found. |
Tail Number | Date | Unit | Location | Call Sign | Pilot | CoPilot | Flight Engineer | Pararescue/Other | Pararescue/Other | Other | Notes |
58-1845 | 10 Oct 68 | 38th ARRS Phan Rang |
SVN | Pedro 44 | Von M. Liedernecht | Donald Brooks | Milard Bledsoe | Emmett Orr (FE) | Angel Luna (LM) | crashed at Phan Rang AB as a result of control problems, control surface hit blades, which caused blades to separate. | |
59-1562 | 19 Jul 69 | 14th Utapao | Thailand | MAPLE 02 | Warren K. Davis | Harry Cohen | Tommy Miles | flying SAR for burning B-52 at Utapao, B-52 exploded causing helo to crash. | |||
59-1587 | 8 Jul 66 | 38th ARRS Tan Son Nhut |
SVN | unknown | Ground loss, hit by a mortar attack. | ||||||
59-1590 | 27 Jun 69 | 41st ARRS Phan Rang |
SVN | Pedro 92 | J. Gammon | W. Mcoll | Pomerpleu | H. Jones | Crashed during SAR for BLADE 04, F-100D, Capt J. Casper pilot/recovered, white flash from helicopter, possibly due to ground fire. Minimal injuries to crew. | ||
60-0278 | 10 Jul 69 | 38th ARRS Utapao |
unknown | unknown | Listed in USAF loss list, but no info, no entries in SAR log. | ||||||
60-0282 | 7 Aug 69 | 38th ARRS Tuy Hoa |
SVN | Pedro 24 | Wohlnick | Brittingh | Ferry mission to Cam Ranh Bay, engine quit, 2 restarts failed, crashed in water. | ||||
62-4510 | 20 Sep 65 | Det 1, 38th ARRS, NKP | NVN | DUTCHY 41 | Thomas J. Curtis | Duane W. Martin | William A. Robinson | Arthur N. Black | The helo was participating in the SAR for ESSEX 04, an F-105D piloted by Capt Willis E. Forby, who was captured by the NVN, when it was hit by ground fire and crashed. Three of the crew were captured; however, Lt Martin evaded and made his way to Laos and was captured by the Pathet Lao; at the end of June 1966, Lt Martin, along with USN LTJG Dieter Dengler, Air America civilian Eugene DeBruin, a Chinese National, and three Thais, escaped from the Houay Het Prison camp in Central Laos. Martin and Dengler evaded together for 17 days before Lt Martin was killed by a machete wielding villager. Dengler was rescued five days later. | ||
62-4511 | 28 Oct 66 | 38th ARRS Pleiku |
SVN | Pedro 42 | C.Vermeys | George H. "Spike" Bonnell | Frances D. "Dave" Rice FE |
Allen Stanek | Aircraft was shot down in the Ia Drang Valley while attempting a night rescue of wounded 4th Infantry Div. soldiers. | ||
62-4525 | 7 Feb 68 | Det 9, 38th ARRS Pleiku |
SVN | Pedro 56 | Francis B. Gilligan | Lester M. Jiggens | Jose G. Abara | Davis R. Berrio | Assisting in the recovery of the crew of a downed Army helicopter, helicopter hit by ground fire near Kontum, caught fire, crashed ten seconds later; three of the four crewmembers survived the crash. | ||
63-9711 | 21 May 67 | 38th ARRS Bien Hoa |
SVN | Pedro 73 | D.L. Wiest | Rielly | H.H. Ewton | R.S. Loud | Aircraft was flying rescue Cap for RAMROD 02, F-100D, Capt Lindberg pilot/KIA, helo damaged by ground fire and landed. The aircraft was later destroyed on the ground. | ||
63-9712 | 26 Jan 69 | 38th ARRS Pleiku |
SVN | Pedro 74 | William F. Clark | Warren Kaufman | Donald W. Gooding | Luther T. Jones | Gus Jones | George Bogner (observer) |
Helo lost power and crashed, investigation revealed helo had received small arms fire. |
63-9713 | 2 Jun 65 | unknown unit/station | SVN | unknown | Lockhart | Kilpatric | R. Smith | Flying rescue cap for downed aircraft, aircraft was hit by ground fire while hovering over downed O-1F aircraft and crashed. | |||
63-9715 | 8 May 67 | Det 7, 38th ARRS | SVN | Pedro 96 | John .J. Hoye | Al Jacox | Ray Weddell | Phil S. Resos | John Tobey | Aircraft was shot down while attempting to rescue four Marines who were in contact with the enemy. |
Special Operations UH-1 SEA Losses
All aircraft were operated by the 20th Helicopter Squadron
(later 20th Special Operations Squadron)
Tail Number | Model | Date | Wing/ Operating Location | Location | Call Sign | Pilot | CoPilot | Flight Engineer | Gunner/Other | Gunner/Other | Notes |
63-13151 | UH-1F | 19 May 69 | 14th SOW, Nha Trang | SVN | W. D. Boyd | Lost due to a fuel control malfunction. All personnel rescued | |||||
63-13152 | UH-1F | 21 Apr 69 | 14th SOW, Nha Trang | SVN | Shot down while attempting to extract a reconnaissance team. All of the crew members and the team were rescued. | ||||||
63-13155 | UH-1P | 21 Oct 69 | 14th SOW, Tuy Hoa | SVN | R. B. Swenck | M. R. Loper | R. G. Davis | The aircraft lost power and autorotated into 5 foot high elephant grass. Upon landing it rolled onto it's side. Fire completely destroyed the helicopter. | |||
63-13158 | UH-1F | 26 Mar 69 | 14th SOW, Nha Trang | Near Duc My, SVN | Green Hornet 58 | Frank DeFigulia | Jesse C. Bowman | Antonio L. Alho | James E. O'Gorman | Passengers: Col. Levesque, Col Lepard, Capt Fields, Capt Booth, Mr. Greer, all died. Sgt Joslyn was rescued. Aircraft experienced a 1-1 beat, auto-rotation initiated and control was lost due to the heavy vibration. Main rotor disintegrated, severing the tail boom. Aircraft impacted the ground. | |
63-13164 | UH-1F | 3 Jan 69 | 14th SOW, Nha Trang | Cambodia | Dart | Paul McClellan | Thomas Courtney | Jess R. Rowland | Ronald P. Zenga | Shot down while attempting to rescue a six man Special Forces recon patrol. The patrol was in contact and in danger of being overrun. Enemy fire struck the fuel cells and set the aircraft on fire. The engine failed and the aircraft crashed into the trees. | |
64-15484 | UH-1P | 25 Sep 70 | 14th SOW, Cam Ranh Bay | SVN | Green Hornet 621 | Jackie P. Heil | Henry B. Carrington | Gerald A. Cooper | David J. Calvin | Near the SVN/Cambodian border, the aircraft turned to avoid a mid-air collision with a VNAF CH-34, hit tress and caught fire after coming to rest. | |
64-15491 | UH-1P | 14 Mar 70 | 14th SOW, Tuy Hoa | SVN | Marvin R. Loper (IP) | Dana A. Dilley | John A. Thornburn | David A. Carpenter | Pilot was hit by ground fire and the helicopter hit the trees and crashed. The other three crew members were all injured when the aircraft landed. | ||
64-15492 | UH-1F | 13 Feb 69 | 14th SOW, Nha Trang | Near Duc Co, SVN | Vulture 02 | Ronald Andrews | Ronald N. Guy | Jesse C. Bowman | Isidro Arroyo | Shot down while trying to suppress ground fire to allow the rescue of a Special Forces patrol. The aircraft burst into flames but was able to land without injury to the crew. Crew was picked up by another Green Hornet. | |
65-07923 | UH-1F | 21 Sep 67 | 14th ACW, Nha Trang | SVN | Green Hornet 23 | Hoffmann | J. W. Berka | The helicopter was at a hover when it raised and then descended, tilted to the right and left and then nosed over into the ground. | |||
65-07929 | UH-1P | 14 Jul 69 | 14th ACW, Nha Trang | SVN | The helicopter was being flown on a FCF when the engine lost power. Autorotation was initiated but the aircraft landed on a slope, rolled to the right and the main rotor blades struck the ground | ||||||
65-07930 | UH-1P | 29 Jul 70 | 14th SOW, Tuy Hoa | Tuy Hoa, SVN | John R. Clapper (IP) | Marion J. Messenger | Roby J. Farmer | Ronald W. Clark | Bryan R. McGregor | While flying local gun training the aircraft was autorotated into the trees. Recovery of the aircraft indicated numerous bullet holes and possible engine failure. Aircraft was a combat loss due to the extensive damage and was not repaired. | |
65-07932 | UH-1F | 31 Mar 67 | 14th ACW, Nha Trang | Laos | Robert L. Baldwin | D. E. Lyall | The helicopter was hit by ground fire over a landing zone in the Lima Site 6 area during as attempt to exfiltrate friendly forces. | ||||
65-07935 | UH-1P | 8 Dec 69 | 14th SOW, Tuy Hoa | SVN | McCallist | Rochell | J. Sanchez | D. Delahoy | Shot down while covering an exfil of a reconnaissance team in contact with the enemy. The engine took hits and the aircraft crashed into the trees. Crew was rescued by a US Army UH-1 slick. | ||
65-07937 | UH-1F | 13 Apr 69 | 14th SOW, Nha Trang | SVN | J. Johnson | James O. Lynch | H. W. Mattox | Isidro Arroyo | Shot down by enemy ground fire. Pilot was killed and co-pilot wounded in the action. | ||
65-07942 | UH-1F | 27 Nov 68 | 14th SOW, Nha Trang | Cambodia | Robert Dyer | John Walker | Gene P. Stuifbergen | Victor Adams | While inserting a Special Forces team, the aircraft was hit by ground fire while hovering. Rolled to the left and crashed, killing 4 Special Forces soldiers and SSgt Stuifbergen. His body was pinned under the left side of the aircraft and could not be recovered. | ||
65-07944 | UH-1P | 19 Mar 70 | 14th SOW, Tuy Hoa | SVN | Green Hornet 944 | Clyde W. Enderle (IP) | Carlos A. Estrada, Jr. | James W. Greenwood | John N. Visnesky | The aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire while on a training flight and spun into the ground. The aircraft subsequently burned and was completely destroyed. | |
66-01217 | UH-1P | 25 Aug 69 | 14th SOW, Nha Trang | SVN | Green Hornet 217 | W. Bradley | During a test flight at Nha Trang, at 300 feet, 60 KIAS, the aircraft lost power and auto-rotated to the ground. Impact caused one skid to fold and the aircraft rolled and pivoted over the left front corner of the fuselage, coming to rest on the top left side. | ||||
69-6621 | UH-1N | 4 Dec 71 | 483rd SOW, Cam Ranh Bay | SVN | Green Hornet 621 | B. Claxton | D. L. Vesley | R. T. King | Thomas E. Fike | The aircraft was returning from a SAR mission when it was forced to land in a rice paddy. Sgt Fike was shot in the back. | |
Unknown | UH-1P | 26 Nov 68 | 14th SOW, Nha Trang | SVN | David Miller | Russel Simonetta | The aircraft was hit by heavy automatic weapons fire on an exfil of troops in contact. Aircraft autorotated into a small jungle clearing. Crew was rescued by a 20th UH-1F slick. Less than 25 minutes later the aircraft was set on fire by enemy forces. Aircraft was believed to have been downed by a round though the oil cooler. |
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