WE WILL FOREVER
REMEMBER
Names are listed on this page by the year our brothers were killed in action
KIA - 2003
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Fallen Heroes Memorial: Army 1st Lt. Jeremy L. Wolfe Defense Link News Release: DOD IDENTIFIES ARMY CASUALTIES Wisconsin Office of the Governor - Media Room
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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.
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Fallen Heroes Memorial: Army Spc. Ryan Travis Baker Honor the fallen: Army Spc. Ryan T. Baker
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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.
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DefenseLink News Release: DoD Identifies Army Casualties Fallen Heroes Memorial: Army Spc. Jeremiah J. Digiovanni Gulf War 2003-2006 Casualty List for Mississippi
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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.
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Fallen Heroes Memorial: Army Spc. William D. Dusenbery
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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."
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Honor the fallen: Army Sgt. John W. Russell Fallen Heroes Memorial: Army Sgt. John W. Russell
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Photographs of the A 4/101 Avn unit Memorial Service in Iraq and a video of the Ft Campbell services |
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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 |
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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.
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KIA/MIA
- 1971
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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
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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
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Information on WEBB ROBERT MITCHELL JR Information on helicopter or incident 67-19497 Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02W
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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
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Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02W Information on helicopter or incident 67-19497 Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02W
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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
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Barry Lee Brown Information on helicopter or incident 67-19497 Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02W
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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.
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Information on helicopter or incident 67-19497 Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 02W
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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 Information on helicopter or incident 68-15491
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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.
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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.
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Information on helicopter or incident 68-15491 Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 01W Information on helicopter or incident 68-15491
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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.
Update May
20, 2008
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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.
If you knew Tim, Cindy would love to hear from you. Cindy's email CinderellaMc1@aol.com
Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 01W Information on helicopter or incident 68-15491
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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.
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
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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
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George Phillip Berg Information on BERG GEORGE PHILLIP Information on helicopter or incident 68-15255 BERG, GEORGE PHILLIP Compiled by Task Force Omega Inc |
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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
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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
This photo of Gerard Woods was taken in Nov. or Dec. 1970 with A/C# 264- Provided by Wayne Jones |
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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
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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
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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
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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 |
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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
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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
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Some SOG web sites with more information on Watson & Lloyd and this incident: |
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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.
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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® |
KIA/MIA - 1970
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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
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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
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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
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Information on helicopter or incident 67-17349 Gerald Schwuchow, SP4, Army, Hobart IN, 14Jan70 14W035 - The Virtual Wall®
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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
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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
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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
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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: Vietnam War Helicopter Crew Members on panel 11W
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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
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Tommy Kearsley Information on KEARSLEY TOMMY L |
