CATCOM DYNAMIC E–NEWSLETTER, 2019
Updated: 25 November 2019
LIST OF ARTICLES: (click to go direct)
FOUND CATKILLERS AND FRIENDS: (9 August)
SP4 Benjamin Leroy “Ben” Fritchie, Phu Bai, 1971 to early 1972; SP4 David Errol Clarke, Phu Bai, 1971 to early 1972, both reassigned to other jobs at Da nang. See the story regarding a newly discovered Catkiller KIA below.
DEAR EDITOR: (6 January)
IN AN EMAIL ADDRESSED TO RAY CARYL, UNIT HISTORIAN:
“I am the grandson of Gary L. Clark, CatKiller 6, and have recently found the Catkillers.org website, which I must admit makes the hair on my skin stand straight reading the stories. So first I want to thank you for what you have already provided on the website! Your writing is very easy to understand and most enjoyable to read!
I am interested to learn as much as I can about my grandfather and his roll. He didn’t enjoy talking about the subject so we were limited in the stories he told.
I am emailing to ask if you have any stories about my grandfather that you would be willing to share? I am interested in knowing anything, good or bad.
Best regards,
Ben Clark”
EDITOR: If you have a story, comment or a photo or two to pass along to Ben, please send me an email and I will share his email address with you (or pass along your comments). Don Ricks
COMMENTS:
Great to hear from you, Ben. Your grandfather was a no–nonsense commanding officer. The only contact that I can recall having with him was described in my short story on the website. John Mulvany was a close confidant of his but, unfortunately, John passed away several years ago.
I recently wrote a book, CATKILLER 3–2, that is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the Naval Institute Press (I think least expensive on Amazon). It includes a history of the 220th as well as other little–known facts and some insights into what we did and how we did it. Jim Hooper wrote A HUNDRED FEET OVER HELL (also available from Amazon) that relates personal interviews with Catkiller pilots who were there in the 1968–1969 time frame. We were definitely a unique Army Birddog unit and, as such, were authorized to do things that other Army Birddog units were not allowed to do.
I do remember contacting him regarding my little “problem” [getting on the wrong side] of a general officer and having to ride shotgun on a 5–ton truck for three days as punishment, but he told me that he did not recall the incident. Boy, I sure do!
If memory serves, Major Clark played the banjo and it was he and Ken Trent who corroborated in writing CATKILLER 801. I will forward the request to Ken as I have good contact with him.
Welcome to the Catkiller family!
Ray Caryl
6 January: Received this map today from Charles Finch: Excellent Map of Our [Catkiller] Area in Vietnam:
It is a high resolution version. To view the map, just click on the direct link:
ROSTER RELATED: (15 January)
I was assigned to what originally was called the 45th Military Intelligence Detachment, which set up at the Phu Bai Airfield in three trucks. I had already wanted, since Fort Holabird, Maryland, to do hand held missions. I volunteered for Vietnam after going through the Pueblo Incident. Away, I went and got assigned to the north. So, armed with my camera, I was generally target specific. After I had only been there a few weeks, they wanted to know if I would do hand held. Of course! Take photos of NVA, if in the DMZ. That is where I met some of these guys. Never close, though, as I was an SP5 from Texas, with a top-secret clearance (only person that had one). My unit later changed its name to Detachment E, 1ST Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation) (Air Reconnaissance Support), nicknamed the Flying Eye Battalion.
I flew around 20 plus missions in 1968–69 with these guys. These were some of the bravest and craziest guys I ever had the pleasure of flying with. I was generally target driven and not looking for action as I was armed with a camera. We caught many good photos for the brass. Most of my targets were in the DMZ. I salute each and every one of them. 100 Feet Over Hell is a tough read, but I can vouch for chapter 9 or so on its accurate.
Brent Herrington
EDITOR: Brent’s updated info is now on the roster.
CAPTAIN HUGH “MAC” BYRD, JR., FIFTY YEAR REMEMBRANCE DAY:
Saturday, January 5, 2019
Marker in Berea Cemetery
500 Oak Grove Ct, Berea, KY 40403
50th Anniversary of Date Last Seen:
POW—MIA Remembrance Day and Wreath Laying Ceremony
Captain Hugh “Mac” McNeil Byrd, Jr. US Army
220th Aviation Company “Catkillers”, 212th Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade
Date of Birth: 22 October 1943, Pueblo CO
Home City of Record: Berea KY
Date last seen: 09 January 1969, Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam
Ceremony begins 2:00 pm Everyone Welcome
Berea Cemetery 500 Oak Grove Ct, Berea, KY 40403
Facebook page regarding ceremony
EDITOR: If you plan to attend this event, please let me know as there are several others interested in/contemplating making the trip to attend.
COMMENTS:
As an introduction to the following comment by Charles, I want to add my immediate thoughts after reading his remembrance document written fifteen years ago. I might also include my belief that there could be, perhaps, as many inclusive accounts within in the hearts of loved ones, written or not, as the American and Allied Forces experienced our large numbers of casualties. Acts of faithful service to the call to arms from our country are equal to all who served, especially the individuals we lost and still remember:
“Charles, my eyes watered as I read the words below and found that I had stopped breathing about halfway through the piece. It is a sad account of a tragic and perplexing ending of a life nobody could deny deserved a much longer run. I can only imagine the unspoken, private melancholy sorrow felt in the hearts of everyone who served with Mac, as the days moved into weeks, months and years. There seems to be no reasonable justification to a loss such as the family, his friends and the 220th experienced. I suspect nothing has changed since the 35th year of remembrance.
I am going to post this entire writing, for perspective sake.
Don Ricks”
Later, I discovered that we previously published this article as a tribute to Mac Byrd and made it available at the Memorial and Tribute: KIA/MIA Thirty–Five Years Later:
DEATH OF ROBERT J. “BOB” LAFERRIERE, 6 JANUARY 2019:
SOURCE: Direct link to Dobies Funeral Home to post a condolence
COMMENTS:
From: Grayson L. Davis
Relationship: Served with Bob in Vietnam in the 220th RAC Catkillers.
I served with Bob 50 years ago in Vietnam and at Ft. Hood when we returned from Vietnam. He was a good soldier, aviator, friend and a good man. I had a telephone conversation with him during the Christmas holidays. Sounded like the same person from long ago. That is the way I will remember him. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Sent on January 10, 2019
From: Carl Drechsel
Relationship: Member of 220th RAC
May God Bless you for your service to your country. You were one of the finest Army pilots as part of the 220th Reconnaissance Airplane Company (RAC), radio call sign “Catkillers.” You will be missed but never forgotten. Catkiller 30
Sent on January 11, 2019
Very sad. Bob attended the VMI symposium spring 2017 along with Marine AO Bob Laramy, Catkiller 44 Rick Johnson and me, Catkiller 32/42. Bob said he was in remission and he looked very good. Thought he had it whipped.
Bob and I had a history of sorts. He took over my Basic Training rifle range at Ft. Benning when I went to flight school. I briefed him on how Range OICs could skate on range maintenance days (Monday and Tuesday on my range) but he HAD to let his NCOs know where he was. No cell phones back then but the range had a land line that was easily accessible from the public phone system. Turns out that Bob failed to do that on one fateful day and his NCOs had to tell the colonel (who just happened to pop in) that they did NOT know where he was. This resulted in a major ass chewing and a requirement that ALL range OICs be present on their range on maintenance days.
Didn’t affect me ’cause I was in flight school, but the jungle telegraph lit up with some not too happy comments over it.
What a surprise when he showed up at Phu Bai one day right after Tet lit off—all smiles and ready to go.
He and Terry Bozarth had been flight school classmates and become quite close, so Terry’s shoot down and death hit Bob pretty hard. They had only been in-country a couple of weeks and suddenly, Terry was gone. Bob escorted Terry’s body home so he not only lost a close pal, he had to go through experiencing the agony Terry’s wife and family were going through. Bob never completely recovered from that experience.
For those who don’t know, the airplane that Terry Bozarth and his AO, Bob Laramy, were in that day did NOT have any rocket tubes. Laramy noticed it right away, but Terry was new and probably did not question his aircraft assignment. Maybe he did request a different aircraft and was turned down. It is a mystery that has no answer. Anyway, Laramy, noticing NO rocket tubes or rockets, grabbed a canvas bag and filled it with smoke grenades. He figured this was the only way that they could mark targets. THIS ALSO MEANT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO FLY OVER ANYTHING THEY WERE MARKING AND MADE THEM SUSCEPTIBLE TO GROUND FIRE.
At that time Hue was FULL of NVA and they had heavy machine guns. The Marines had already spent THREE weeks trying to root the NVA out of HUE and they were in a constant pitched battle trying to accomplish that job. (Read Nicholas Warr’s book, PHASE LINE GREEN: The Battle for Hue 1968 or Keith William Nolan’s book, BATTLE FOR HUE: Tet 1968)—both mention the shoot down, but Nolan says that it was an Air Force Birddog. I guess we can forgive his error, he was never there.
They were flying over Hue, with a deteriorating ceiling of around 400 feet AGL, and had an opportunity to run a flight of A-4s along the wall. They flew over, Laramy dropped a smoke grenade to mark an NVA position for the jets and the NVA opened up on them with a 12.7. Terry was hit and Bob somehow managed to glide their Birddog (the engine also received hits and quit) across the Perfume River, crashing into the front door of a building on the south side of the river. Laramy survived with serious injuries and a ticket home. According to Laramy, Terry died instantly from the machine gun fire.
I’ve heard that Terry was cautioned NOT to stay out there if the ceiling got too low, but as Catkillers you ALL know that we never backed down when we had troops in contact—and those Marines had been in contact for three weeks!
Personally, I believe that had they had rockets to mark the target and did not have to fly over it to drop a smoke grenade, the outcome would have been different. As it was, the A–4s took some pretty serious hits but survived and made it back to Chu Lai.
Now Bob can be with his close bud, Terry.
Raise a glass in tribute to our fellow Catkiller, Bob LaFerriere.
We few, we happy few
We band of brothers. (WS)
Stay tuned for info on the gathering in October 2019 at Fort Worth.
Ray Caryl, Catkiller Historian
CATKILLERS OVER CON THIEN, AN ARTICLE BY PAUL X. RUTZ:
This article highlights Charles Larry Deibert and is meant to specifically honor him, his career in the military and those he honored and served by exemplary service in combat.
I don't mean to draw attention to my brother in a distracting way from this excellent article about a highly decorated member of the 220th Aviation Company, but here is, indeed, a rare opportunity to peek into the place and time where Lance Corporal James William Ricks (deceased, brother of Catkiller 49, Don Ricks) served in Vietnam, and for you to read some of perspective the Catkillers lived and experienced while flying in our area of operation (which included Con Thien).
Yes, this is and will always be for my family personal; Jimmy Ricks and his fellow Marines of H&J Co., 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, were under intense stress and danger during their tour in 1967, at this contested spot of prime observation land, on a hill just south of the DMZ in northern South Vietnam. It was the most hotly contested piece of occupied land during the Vietnam War (which the Vietnamese call, The American War). Thank you, Larry, for the service, and thank you to all the other Catkillers and other Combat and Combat Support personnel who made the lives of these exposed Marines safer and eventually saved many of them from the fate of so many others killed or still missing in action. My brother was there on the ground, at OP1, in early September 1967 during the flights and actions taken by Captain Deibert. [James W. Ricks, The Middle Ground, (ISBN: 978–D–9968846–0–0, 2015, pp. 64–70), available from Amazon.com]
I also have an older brother, Douglas, who served two tours in Vietnam, the first as a scout pilot (the low LOH) for the 1st Cavary Division, and the second with B Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, and he is highly decorated. This is personal: for Larry Deibert, for my family, for my unit and for all its personnel there or who supported their effort for the length of the unit's tour in Vietnam. An amazing omission by the United States Army is that there was not, to the best of my knowledge, an official, documented unit inactivation event to properly honor the men with an official, ceremonial stand down. What we have to document the unit is what you and I have gathered and made available here, as best we could muster.
What you might not know is that Charles Larry Deibert was first an enlisted United States Marine in uniform and later an officer in the Unites States Army. Be sure to view his biography.
Donald M. Ricks, Editor
COMMENTS:
2022:
Good article. Well written.
Larry Diebert was off flying duty and waiting to rotate out about the time I arrived at the 220th in December 1967. He undertook the project of laying the stonework that was in front of the O-club, then newly built. I was new guy waiting to get checked out with not much to do so I helped him by busting rocks. We used a deuce and a half to bring these small boulders over from the other side of the airstrip and I would break them into the size rocks he needed to complete the wall, He laid and set every stone in it.
In the short time I worked with Captain Diebert I found him to be a class guy. II remember him being at at least one of the reunions but I don't remember which.
My only (very minor) knock on the article was the paragraph repeating the myth that flying in a slip (cross control) was a way to trick enemy gunners. But that isn’t the author’s fault; it was an article with most of the pilots.
When Captain Diebert left Vietnam he did not look like his picture in the article. He had a handlebar mustache.
Of the recipients on this email Dave O’Hare and Rick Johnson would know him best. They were in the 4th platoon (which was the only DMZ platoon then) at the same time he was.
The club was built mostly by the Marines as I recall. At that time all or most of the observers stayed with the 220th there in Phu Bai. Captain Diebert and I were the only two Army guys out there on a regular basis. The CO then, a Major Clark, was not happy with the lack of participation and ordered every pilot to be out there at one point. I do remember that. It was probably a good thing the Marines did the bulk of the work. They knew what they were doing.
Prior to the new building the O-club was just one end of a hootch. The dartboard was on the back of the door. You needed to knock before entering to be sure you didn't open to a dart flying at you.
I think Mulvaney may have been the one who got the plaque with the names on it made while on an R&R. But I am not certain of that.
And my hazy recollection of seeing CPT Diebert since would have been at one of the later reunions rather than the earlier ones. But I don’t have certainty on that either.
Don Pepe [30 June 2022]
2022:
I’m with Don. I can remember AO Bob Happe doing a LOT of the stone mason work.
Don wound up busting rocks because for some reason, they held him at Phu Bai for a couple of weeks before he came down to the 3rd platoon (probably because he was so good at busting rocks). Don was most likely just taking out his frustration with being held back.
I don’t thank that was the MOST disappointing thing that Don encountered early in his tour—it HAD to be when he got his basketball sent to him from home (we all thought that big square box was full of homemade cookies) and found it to be only partially inflated. He literally SCOURED Marble Mountain looking for a pump and needle. He DID find a pump, but no needle. Don is NOT a grumbler, but he DID grumble about that. A couple of weeks later a very small box arrived from home containing a needle.
Don instantly became a very happy boy! After that, it was pretty easy to figure out where Don was because of the thumping sound the basketball made every time it contacted the ground, and the ONLY place he didn’t have it with him was when he was flying!
My best memory of Diebert was at the Christmas Dinner party at Phu Bai. I was still in the 3rd platoon at Marble (didn’t move north until the day after Tet started in 1968) and they loaded us on a 282nd AHC Huey for the trip up to Phu Bai. The weather was AWFUL so most of the trip was low level. Diebert had a MOST IMPRESSIVE handlebar mustache. He was quite the celebrity because of all his awards and the fact that he was DEROSing home in just a couple of days. The CO made the comment that he had “seen a smaller rack on deer that he had shot” when he referred to Larry’s mustache.
An interesting aside is that Larry was in the Oregon National Guard and VOLUNTEERED to go on active duty and go to Vietnam. A true Patriot through and through. He most likely attended the Seattle reunion as he lives in Oregon near Portland.
Ray Caryle [1 July 2022]
CATKILLER GROUP, 1969:
On a visit to Georgia a few weeks ago I received the special photo shown below from Pete Blevins. i am certain there are other photographs in personal collections that we have not published, and if you have the wherewithal to get those gems to me, I can find a place for them to shine:
In addition to the photo above, during the process of searching for an obituary for CPT Gene F. Hayes, deceased,, I was able to locate one that is now posted at his roster line. Extracted from the online obituary site is a photo I copied, enhanced for better viewing and show it here as a reminder that you can see additional ones by reviewing the links included at Gene's roster line. I also added a Find A Grave site link at John Hillman’s roster line:
DEATH OF EDWARD H. “NED” MILER, LTC, RETIRED, 17 MAY 2019, SUMMERVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA:
This note came this morning from Francine Miler, wife of Ned Miler. It is with sadness and condolence to family and friends that, while awaiting an obituary, we share her heartfelt notification. Ned Miler also served in the Command Aircraft Company in 1965:
It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to let you all know that my beloved Ned passed away on Friday, May 17, 2019. Ned has had health problems over the years but he got “Shingles” for the second time (March and April) and it was on the right side of his head down to below his right eye. We saw his eye doctor earlier in May and his vision was fine in the right eye which was a relief to both of us. Dealing with the Shingles wore us down. Ned’s heart just gave out and EMS could not bring him back.
His funeral services were held at St. Paul's Anglican Church on Monday and he was buried in St. Paul's graveyard on Tuesday. Please forgive me but this is as much as I have the strength to let you, all of his Catkiller and other friends and family know. I lost my love and my best friend.
Yours truly,
Francine Miler
SOURCE: Parks Funeral Home obituary publication
FIFTY YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP, RESPECT:
I had lunch with one of my Marine backseaters this week. He and I flew 50 years ago but it seems like yesterday!
In June of 1969, Paris peace talks resulted in US policy that we could not fly into North Vietnam. So the NVA could bring all of their weapons and bombard us with rockets and mortars. So, Tango and and I launched and I was determined to fly up North of the DMZ and inflict some damage. We surprised a truck and rolled in, and I fired two of my rockets into the truck, which resulted ina huge explosion as he was transporting mortars. Some of the sharpnel from the explosion stuck in my wings and fuselage.
Higher headquarters was not pleased that I had broken the rules and my exploits were even discussed in Paris. But, the Marines were spared some incoming and Tango and I got much praise even though we were lucky to avoid getting blown up ourselves.
War had so many stupid rules and our hands were tied continuously.
Charles Finch
FIFTY YEARS LATER—ARMY VET, ARVN AO’S GRANDCHILD COME FULL CIRCLE:
There is a new and interesting history page added to the Catkiller History Index regarding an ARVN Aerial Observer and Catkiller 18/27 Charles W. Bud Bruton, Jr.. Please visit the index and the last article on the 1969 list, or use the following link:
DEATH OF LEMUEL G. “BRINK” BRINKLEY, JR., MAJ, RETIRED, 28 JUNE 2019, HIGHLANDS RANCH, COLORADO:
Lemuel “Brink” Brinkley, a devoted husband, father and patriot died June 28, 2019 after a brief battle with Metastatic Lung Cancer. Brink was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Bette and his oldest son Lemuel G. Brinkley, III. He is survived by three children; Barrie Lyn Brinkley, Richard Lee Brinkley, and Brooke Ann (Brinkley) Powell. He also leaves behind four grandchildren; Sean Brinkley, Ariel Lyn Brinkley, Lemuel Guyder Brinkley, IV, Damara Brinkley Powell and his beloved dog Kane.
Brink made a career of the Army. He began his military service in the Arkansas National Guard. In 1957, he was part of the Guard contingent that was federalized by President Eisenhower to escort the Little Rock Nine into Central High after the Arkansas governor tried to use Arkansas National Guard troops to block black students from entering the school after segregation was abolished. After his Guard service, he chose to make military service his career; first as an enlisted member in the Infantry and then as an officer first serving in Army Special Forces (Green Berets) as an “A-Team” commander. However, before he assumed this command, he was selected to go to Aviation School where he became an Army Aviator where he earned instructor wings on the Army’s first all metal fixed-wing aircraft, the Cessna L-19D/O-1 “Birddog”. He spent the rest of his Army career in Military Intelligence.
He served two tours in Vietnam. On his second tour, he was tasked as a Forward Air Controller (FAC). Piloting the propeller-driven “Birddog” above hostile territory, often becoming a target in order to locate enemy locations. He was essential to air operations by providing intelligence reconnaissance, target acquisition, artillery adjustment, radio relay, convoy escort, and above all, the on-scene commander of the strike forces and the start of any subsequent combat search and rescue if necessary. He was awarded the Air Medal with 53 oak leaf clusters, in addition to two Bronze Stars.
In 1974, “Lem,” as he was called by his fellow officers, became the first operational commander of the 330th ASA/RR Company. Here he was tasked as a Command Pilot flying reconnaissance missions utilizing the GUARDRAIL equipped U-21 reconnaissance aircraft in addition to commanding aviation and ground personnel at four sites throughout Germany.
Throughout his distinguished military career, Brink was awarded the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, 4 Overseas Service Bars, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Senior Army Aviator Badge.
Having served 22 years in the Army, he concluded his military career as an intelligence officer at the National Security Agency in Fort Meade, MD.
Upon retirement, he had a brief career in Ford and Chevrolet fleet sales before moving on to his final career of owning and operating an over-the-road trucking business contracting his truck fleet to Bekins Van Lines in transporting high-value tradeshow merchandise throughout the US and Canada before retiring in 2015.
A time of visitation will be held at Drinkwine Mortuary on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Casual dress is welcome and light refreshments will be provided. A burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia will follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Brink requested donations be made to the Dumb Friends League, 2080 S. Quebec St., Denver, CO 80231, phone 303-751-5772, www.ddfl.org.
Comments:
Lem was my first and only room-mate while in Viet Nam. We came in together, along with WO Medley and CWO Santos, all went to the Danang Platoon as the first replacements. After about two months, Lem was promoted to Maintenance Officer and left for Phu Bai, He was a great officer and friend.
Norm MacPhee
[Editor: Obituary notification, courtesy of Norman, is also at the roster line for Lem]
From a close relative:
“ Dad will be interred with a full–military–honors ceremony, escort and caisson at Arlington [National Cemetery] on November 25, 2019. at 1:00 PM. There will be a service at the Old Post Chapel on Fort Meyer before that and then the procession will proceed to the grave site in Section 60.
I will provide more detailed information as we get closer to that date.”
Heather (née Hillman) Easley, daughter of Catkiller John Hillman, deceased, states that she will be honored to attend the ceremony as a representative for the Catkillers. Others wanting to be there, especially in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia area, are encouraged to attend.
NEWLY DISCOVERED FACTS—FORMER CATKILLER, KIA, SP4 DAVID ERROL CLARKE, FEBRUARY 1972:
With thanks and appreciation to a recently found Catkiller, SP4 Benjamin Leroy “Ben” Fitchie, Aircraft Mechanic, who recently checked in to update his roster line, we have a newly discovered important imformation regarding a former Catkiller Sheet Metal Worker, from Phu Bai in 1971 to January of 1972. Our roster showed the name of this man as David L. Clark, but little else, except that he served at Phu Bai.
When Ben checked in, he also provided this important statement that while he, too, was reassigned to Da Nang in 1972, there was a man serving there, with whom he had previously served at Phu Bai:
“ It has been wonderful and very emotional to find this information. My name is Ben Fritchie, SP4. I was with the 220th RAC in 1971, then we moved to Marble Mountain in December 1972. My last name in the roster has a spelling error, the g should be an e. [Corrected]After doing an extensive internet search for confirmation of the information I received from Ben, I initially searched for a KIA surname of Clark. Nothing close to that date came up in my search, but a Vietnam Helicopter Crew Casualty List at VHPA.ORG showed a David E. Clarke (with the e), who was killed at Da Nang while serving as a door gunner. Once I had the correct name it was easy to locate the Viertnam Veteran Memorial Fund (VVMF) Wall posting. Here is a composite of several statements regarding the accident and further information on those killed in action:
Also this person, Clark, David E., 1971, SP4, Sheet metal shop, Phu Bai, was KIA when we were at Marble Mountain. He was in a Huey that contacted the tail rotor with a cable on a ship, the Huey spun, threw Clark out. His body was cut in half by the rotor blade. I had to clean the floor of the rescue chopper after they returned with his body parts. That bothers me a lot to this day.” Ben
Crash Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 68–15391From this information, I checked the 1971 roster on our web site and found a photo of SP4 Clarke that matched the photo found on the link below—specific information regarding SP4 Clarke’s wall posting:
The aircraft suffered a tail rotor strike departing a ship in Da Nang Harbor with a high ranking ARVN General. Two crewmen, aircraft commander WO1 William A. Gunnells and gunner SP4 David E. Clarke were killed in the crash. The pilot and crew chief were rescued. Five passengers also lost their lives, including COL Albert W. Smarr Jr. and MAJ William J. Morgan. MAJ Morgan’s remains were never recovered. Three Vietnamese passengers also died in the crash. A sixth passenger, an Army major, was rescued. There are three further accounts of this incident:
[Taken from vhpa.org]
- MAJ William J. Morgan was a passenger aboard a UH1H helicopter (tail #69-15391) that crashed in the Da Nang Harbor on February 25, 1972. The helicopter was recovered on March 17, 1972 and all personnel aboard the aircraft were accounted for except MAJ Morgan. It was concluded that his body drifted from the aircraft and either out to sea or to the beaches of nearby Mui Da Nang Island. A further search at the main harbor was not feasible, and MAJ Morgan was listed as dead, remains non-recoverable. No enemy action is associated with the loss. Search and recovery efforts in Vietnam were the best and most successful ever seen in wartime. They were so successful, in fact, that the numbers of those remaining missing in action were dramatically reduced over previous wars.
- Upon lift off from the destroyer helipad, the helicopter executed a right pedal turn causing the tail rotor to impact the guard rail on the next higher deck. Impact caused the tail rotor to separate from the aircraft and strike the main rotor, which in turn severed the tail boom. The helicopter crashed in the water inverted and sank. Four of the ten personnel aboard exited the helicopter. One was struck by the main rotor and killed. Three were recovered by swimmers from the destroyer.
- I was on the USS Craig (February 25, 1972) when the slick, 68-15391, from the 62nd Assault Helicopter Company took off, had a tail strike, and crashed in the DaNang harbor, killing one pilot, WO1 William A. Gunnells, and one crew member, SP4 David E Clarke. I was taking pictures (the film was confiscated by the accident board) and remember it pretty well. (From Mark Attebury, March 1997)
Thank you, Ben, for making contact and for bringing these facts to our attention, and thank you for your service!
MORE FINAL DAYS HISTORY, SPECIALIST FRITCHIE, 1971:
This is a personal note of thank you to Benjamin Leroy Fritchie, who provided a new insights, via photographs and official orders, into the closing days, departure experience and sequence of activity for those assigned to the 220th Aviation Company during December 1971. One soldier identified by Ben became our last known alumnus to have died before the end of his Vietnam service, SP4 David Errol Clarke.
We already know it was not the most satisfying nor text book representation of how to stand down a unit. It is my opinion that a shinning example of leadership metigation in this little documented inactivation was Captain Thomas Shaver, the last company commander. His contributions are documented in the following history pages:
Ben provided a set of orders, Special Orders 232, 11th Combat Aviation Group, APO 96349, dated 10 December 1971, which directed reassignment for nine mechanics serving with the 220th Aviation Company. Their Effective Date of Change of Strength Accountability (EDCSA) was 16 December 1971. Below is the list of nine aircraft mechanice–trained men (67B20 or [two with rank of PFC] 67A10, Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice) and their 11th CAG assignments:
- SP4 Harry L. Alexander, Zulu Co.
- SP4 Troy E. Brown, AMC
- SP5 Gerald E. Burnett, AMC
- SP4 Benjamin L. Fritchie, AMC
- PFC Thomas E. Gray, Zulu Co.
- SP4 Gerald G. Hofmann, Zulu Co.
- PFC Ted R. Martin, Zulu Co.
- SP4 Larry W. Tompkins, Zulu Co.
- SP4 Dennis W. Williams, AMC
These six photographs most likely depict the majority of the surnames shown on the above list:
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY BEN FRITCHIE: (more photos as we receive them)
WEB SITE ARCHIVED DVD DISKS SENT TO CMH, 2019:
Archive disks for three web sites, including CATCOM, were shipped via USPS to the Force Structure and Unit History Branch, US Army Center of Military History, on 18 September. D. Ricks, Editor.
PHOTOS OF THE STATE OF THE BIRDDOG MEMORIAL:
Some might note the weeds and cracks at the corners of the brick bed fields, otherwise the memorial is in remarkable shape as its features bask in the South Alabama sun. As you can also see, there is room, too, for your brick! If interested, please contact the Army Aviation Museum Foundation, Inc. Manager
For detailed information regarding costs, see this link: Brick Paver Program Information and Order Form
For a larger version of the above photo, click here
For a larger version of the above photo, click here
For a larger version of the above photo, click here
For a larger version of the above photo, click here
For a larger version of the above photo, click here
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OREGON POW HIGHWAYS, 2019:
I was just rereading the 2012 Catkillers Reunion brochure (Seattle). The last page is about MIAs. That made me think that my latest veterans project might be of interest to Catkillers – a new 471 mile POW/MIA Memorial Highway across Oregon. It is described in the attached fact sheet.
In my testimony to the Legislature I mentioned Catkiller MIAS and the 27 American POWs I helped repatriate during my second tour.
Looking forward to seeing all at San Antonio [Fredericksburg, Texas?] in 2020.
Dick Tobiason, Catkiller 26
AGENT ORANGE RELATED INFO:
Here is a summary of my heart condition caused by Agent Orange:
“Like all Catkillers, Dick Tobiason, was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam during 1966–1967 and 1972–1973. Last year Dick experienced heart issues that were evaluated by the VA using an echocardiogram test. VA concluded his “myocardial infarction” was caused by Agent Orange exposure. VA awarded Dick a 30 percent service–connected disability. Any Catkiller who has a heart condition might want to request a VA evaluation for Agent Orange.”You have my permission to post the above on the Catkiller website.
Dick
The informational link above is not an endorcement of legal services by any law firm. I recommend doing a web search for information related to Agent Orange exposure, symptoms and how to get help, if needed.
Don Ricks, Editor
Also suggested by Dick Tobiason and Dennis Currie: This VA and some other web links discuss the purpose, limitation and benefit of the Agent Orange Registry Program Exam:
Agent Orange Registry Info
COMMENTS:
Hi Don, had a great reunion with CAC in DC recently. My roommate Gary Zentner also attended. Great to see him after 45 years.
Currently I am a 100 percent DAV vet [Total Disability Individual Unemployability(TDIU)]. All related to Agent Orange. I was diagnosed with immunohistochemistry (IHC) at 60 percent; this allowed the VA rate me at 100 percent TDIU. During my first tour I was a fire team lead for the Vikings in Soc Trang and were frequently tasked to provide air support for Operation Ranch Hand which did the spraying [the U.S. Air Force flew nearly 20,000 spraying sorties from 1961 to 1971]. The gunships, due to our slightly slower speeds, did all of our support below the C123 aircraft.
Anyway, great to still be on the green side. If someone has a 60 percent or greater risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) they should be able to get a 100 percent TDIU rating. I hope this will help someone.
Thanks for all you do,
Charles Hardin (CAC70-71)
Don, in addition to Heart Disease, these are the following presumptive medical conditions:
Veterans' Diseases Associated with Agent Orange
I see many Vietnam Veterans coming into my office who have diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and peripheral neuropathy who don’t realize they are service connected. Diabetes is an insidious condition, in that vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy can be a secondary condition that is also a compensible injury. The VA Blind Rehab Centers have wonderful programs for those with low vision to total blindness. All Vietnam Veterans should contact their local VA Health Care System and ask for an appointment with the Agent Orange Registry. This exam will help identify if the Veteran has any of the service connected presumptives. A qualified Veteran Service Officer can help expedite the claim forms required for filing.
Dennis Currie (Catkiller Crew Chief/Inspector, 1966–68)
REQUEST FOR MARINE AO INFORMATION, NOVEMBER 1968:
I received this e mail from Lou Kern, a former 3rd Force Recon Marine. I am hoping that [someone] will inquire of the Catkillers and AOs who were flying the DMZ in November 1968—to see if anyone can remember the incident that Lou mentions below. I DO know that our AOs kept pretty good notes in their flight logbooks, so someone out there may have been involved.
If so, please contact Lou and cc: [thru Ray Caryl or via Editor. Original message has Lou’s contact info]. Remember, it was just a year ago that we were able to put the survivors of a would–be ambush just SW of Da Nang and the Catkiller pilot, who saw what was about to happen (and not having their radio frequency), was able to warn them by writing on smoke grenades with a grease pencil and tossing them to the Marines.
You just never know when the stars will align.
Ray Caryl
Ray, I hope this note finds you and yours healthy and happy. We met at the Recon Bn reunion in Tucson two years ago. You were finishing up your book at that point. I bought a copy and have not started reading it yet.
I am researching a hot extraction of a 3rd Force team up by the DMZ, which occurred on November 25th, 1968. An on–scene AO actively assisted. Of course, we would love to find the pilot and the Marine in the back seat!
I know you have done extensive research. Perhaps you could help me out by pointing me in the right direction. I assume it was either your unit or a sister unit.
Lou Kern
3rd Force, 1968
DEATH OF PETER S. OSSI, CATKILLER ORIGINAL, 14 OCTOBER, WITICHA, KANSAS
This notification came from Peter’s wife via email and tells us that arrangements are not completed as of this date. When available, I will post the additional information here. I expressed our condolences to Shirley, but if anyone wishes to personally communicate yours I will share her contact information. Don RicksDear Sir I am sorry to inform you of the death of Peter Ossi, in Wichita, KS on October 14, 2019. He had a cancer in his throat and had been ill for several months, treated at our VA facility here. Services are not arranged as of today, will notify you when I have more info. Sincerely Shirley Ossi
DEATH OF CW4 MARK S. DUENOW, US ARMY, RETIRED, 25 OCTOBER 2019, RIVER FALLS, WI:
Just wanted to let you know CWO4 Mark S. Duenow, age 70, of River Falls, Wiconsin, passed away on October 25th, after a very long illness. He was very proud of his service in Vietnam with the Catkillers in the 1969–1970 timeframe and the Bronze Start that he earned then. After his discharge, he was a 22–year veteran of the St. Paul, Minnesota, Police Department and a 16 year veteran flying helicopters for the Minnesota Army National Guard. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, November 6, at 11:00 AM, at the Minnesota Veterns Home Chapel, 5101, Minnehaha Ave. S, Minneapolis, Minnessota. Vistiation is one hour prior with internment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Best regards,
Kim Schumann [brother–in–law, contact information on request]
OBITUARY:Mark S. Duenow, July 07, 1949 - October 25, 2019
Duenow, Mark S. age 70 of River Falls, WI passed away after a long illness on October 25, 2019. Preceded in death by parents, Merlyn and LuAnn; siblings Jeff, Cindy and Rob. Survived by his wife of 38 years, Cindy; son Dylan, siblings, Tom (Judy), Brad (Sheila) and Susan (Kim); sister–in–law, Bonnie and many nieces and nephews. Mark was a Vietnam Veteran who received the Bronze Star, a 22 year veteran of the St. Paul Police Department and a 16 year veteran of the Minnesota Army National Guard. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday November 6th at 11AM at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home Chapel, 5101 Minnehaha Ave. S., Minneapolis. Visitation one hour prior. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Thank you to the entire staff of the Minnesota Veteran’s Home who provided loving care to Mark and his family.
SERVICES Memorial Service Wednesday, November 06, 2019 11:00 AM
Minnesota Veteran's Home 5101 Minnehaha Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN
FROM THE CAMERA OF MARK “DINO’ DUENOW, 1969–70:
Gentlemen,
On behalf of Mark’s wife Cindy, his family and many friends, I want to thank you for your response to Mark’s passing. To you Don for getting the word out. And Bob, we can’t thank you enough for you taking the time to come to the service and sharing stories. BTW: I did get with Cindy later in the day and gave her the coin which brought yet another tear to her eye.
As you may remember, Mark took quite a few photos when he was in country. Over the next few emails I will share some of them for you to do with as you wish. Most of them will be of guys with whom Mark served.
Again, thank you both very much.
Best regards,
Kim Schumann [Mark’s brother–in–law]
Editor: Bob McComiskie (Catkiller 35) flew from his home area airport New Hampshire to Minneapolis and personally attended Mark’s memorial service and spoke to attendees on 6 November. Please send in your identity of those in Mark’s photos, if known.
ARLINGTON BURIAL OF MAJOR LEM BRINKLEY, US ARMY, RETIRED, 25 NOVEMBER 2019:
Hello all:
We have heard back from Arlington for Dad’s funeral. It will be November 25th, at 1 PM. There will be a service at the Old Post Chapel on Ft Meyers, before the graveside activities. We do not know what the time of the service is as of today, we’re still waiting on the information packet from Arlington on particulars.
I know that is a hectic week for most people since it's Thanksgiving week. If any are planning to attend, please let me know at (email address available upon request), or my home phone number is (available upon request). I work full–time so if I don’t answer, please leave a detailed message and I’ll get back to you.
Thank you all,
Barrie Brinkley (Lem Brinkley’s daughter)
CATKILLERS ON PARADE, KEY WEST, NOVEMBER 2019:
An event participation that has become a tradition these last few years finds Catkillers Paul Brennan, Carl Drechsel and Pete Blevins riding in style in the Veterans Day Parade at Key West, Florida, on November 11, 2019:
COMMENTS:
Don, thank you for posting this to the Catkiller website. It was a great event and we actually ran into a Headhunter [219th Avn Co] Birddog pilot and his wife; plus, three people along the parade route served in Phu Bai and yelled at us when we went by in the parade.
“Paul: Thanks for getting that great photo and sending it to Don.”
Wishing you all a SAFE and wonderfully Happy Thanksgiving!!
Carl Drechsel, Catkiller 30
DEATH OF RONALD WAYNE LAMONDS, CATKILLER MECHANIC, 23 NOVEMBER 1919, TACOMA, WA:
My uncle, Ronald Wayne Lamonds passed away November 23, 2019. There will be a memorial in Tacoma for any that would like to go.
Link to Faith Community Church Page
There isn’t an obituary online that I can link to, but his celebration of life information is as follows:
Saturday January 4th, 1 PM at:
Faith Community Church
1014 152nd Street East
Tacoma, Washington 98445
Thank you for the kind words and for spreading the word on this.
Stephanie Kupper
COMMENTS:
Hello, Don:
I am Ron’s only child, Nicole Lamonds–Hansen. My dad passed from Pancreatic Cancer that he courageously battled for 5 years. You found the correct info online for him. He was living in Yuma, AZ, at the time of his death with his wife Renee. However, most family and friends are in Washington, which is why I am having a Memorial Service at Tacoma for him on January 4, 2020. Dad is also survived by his wife, two grandchildren and three great gramndchildren.
He was a retired Assistant Fire Chief for Joint Base Lewis–McChord and will have full honors. I am not able to get his DD–214 in time to add the military honors.
Attached you will find his picture and Memorial details. All are welcome to join.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Sincerely,
Nicole Lamonds–Hansen
