52nd AB / VHPA / 52nd aB / findagrave.com:
The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots' Association describes this loss as follows:
The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots' Association describes this loss as follows:
"19 April: Operation Quyet Thang 137 was conducted in support of the 22nd (ARVN) Div. The 119th Avn Company joined other elements of the battalion in lifting 320 troops from Phu Cat to LZ Alpha (CR099410) on the peninsula north of Qui Nhon. An additional 100 troops were landed at LZ Bravo (CR 075495). Intense ground fire was received from LZ Alpha, and two armed UH-1Bs were shot down and exploded on impact. All crew members were killed. Four other aircraft were also hit with one additional crewman being killed."
Additional information from the 52nd Aviation Battalion's 1965 History permitted the aircraft and the US aircrewmen to be identified. The three aircraft which had casualties were
UH-1B serial 63-08632, 145th Airlift Plt, B Co, 25th Avn Bn
1LT Josef L. Thorne, Brookings, SD
WO Daniel E. Bishop, Newcastle, CA
SP5 Charles F. Millay, Philpot, KY
SP4 Gilbert Olivar, Kurtistown, HI
UH-1B serial 63-08575, 119th AHC, 52nd Avn Bn
2LT Patrick P. Calhoun, Columbus, GA
WO Douglas D. Mack, Amarillo, TX
SP4 Arthur F. Hennessey, West Falmouth, MA
SP4 Terry W. Mills, St Louis, MO (A Co, 2nd Bn, 27th Infantry)
UH-1B serial 63-08646, 119th AHC, 52nd Avn Bn
CPT Robert D. Walker, Dallas, Tx
Defense Investigative Agency report:
Helicopter UH-1B 63-08632
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1B tail number 63-08632
Date: 04/19/1965
Incident number: 65041900.KIA
Unit: HHC 52 CAB
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
for Close Air Support
Unknown this helicopter was Unknown at 0200 feet and UNK knots.
South Vietnam
Count of hits was not possible because the helicopter burned or exploded.
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic
projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = 09 DOI . .
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Burned
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or
updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database.
Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database.
Also: UH1P1, 01031, CASRP, JSIDR (Joint Services Incident Damage Report.
Casualty Report. )
Loss to Inventory
Crew Members:
AC 1LT THORNE, JOSEF LOYD KIA
P WO1 BISHOP, DANIEL EDWARD KIA
CE SP5 MILLAY, CHARLES FRANCIS KIA
CE SP4 OLIVAR, GILBERT KIA
CE SP4 MILLS, TERRY WAYNE KIA
War Story:
19 April: Operation Quyet Thang 137 was conducted in support of the 22nd
(ARVN) Div. The 119th Avn Co. joined other elements of the battalion in
lifting 320 troops from Phu Cat to LZ Alpha (CR 099410) on the penisula
north of Qui Nhon. An additional 100 troops were landed at LZ Bravo (CR
075495). Intense ground fire was received from LZ Alpha, and two armed
UH-1Bs were shot down and expoded on impact. All crew members were killed.
Four other aircraft were also hit with one additional crewman being killed.
A MAN IS NOT DEAD UNTIL HE IS FORGOTTEN
ONCE AN
INTRUDER....ALWAYS AN INTRUDER
