July-August 1967-page 10

"Southeast Asia"

A downed fighter pilot was rescued from hostile, mountainous territory by a HUSKIE crew from Det 5, 38th ARRSq, Udorn AB, Thailand. To make the pickup, 1stLt Kenneth O. Wentzel held the HH-43 below the tops of the 120-foot trees as crewmen called out the blade tip clearance from the surrounding branches. The crew chief was lowered on the sling to aid the pilot and then both men were hoisted aboard. 1stLt Roland J. Page was copilot on the mission; Alc John A. Cleland, helicopter mechanic; SSgt Esquiel Monarez, Jr. , rescue specialist.

In another Det 5 mission, 1stLt Paul F. Dole and his HH-43 crew flew 40 miles over dense jungle and landed at night in a small village to evacuate two seriously injured construction workers. A vertical approach was made in a small area surrounded by bamboo stalks and 60-foot trees. During the return trip medical treatment was given by a doctor, Capt John J. Young (MC). Other members of the HH-43 crew were 1stLt Billy C. Marcontell, copilot, and Alc William L. Schimonsky.

  In a last-minute save, a swimmer marooned on a rock surrounded by the violently swirling waters of an incoming tide was plucked from his precarious position by an HH-43 crew from Det 8, 38th ARRSq, Cam Ranh Bay AB. To make the approach necessary, Capt Lawrence D. Jones, Jr. , flew close to a series of shoreline cliffs as 1stLt Ronald W. Murray, the copilot, called out rotor blade clearances. Since the hoist had gone out of commission a short time before, the pilot then held the HUSKIE in an extremely low hover and, as spray began breaking over the aircraft, the rescuee was pulled into the cabin. Just as he was inside, a wave surged completely over the rock. Sharing in the unusual rescue were SSgt Peter J. Mackin and SSgt H. V. DeBruyne, rescue specialists, and Alc Benny S. Perez, medic.

  Nineteen Vietnamese soldiers injured by grenade booby traps, were evacuated from a flooded rice paddy by two HH-43 crews from Det 10, 38th ARRSq, Binh Thuy. The landing zone was bordered on three sides by high tree lines under enemy control and the area still contained hidden booby traps so landings had to be made in the exact spot designated. Two dead soldiers and all of the soldiers' equipment were also removed by the HUSKIE crews. It was learned later that the quick action of the rescuemen in evacuating the Vietnamese and treating their injuries was the sole factor in saving the lives of five wounded men. Aboard the first HH-43 were Capt Donald E. Van Meter, RCC; 2ndLt Granville B. Goza III, copilot; and A2c Gary G. Harold, rescue and survival specialist. Manning the second HUSKIE were Capt Armand J. Fiola, RCC; Capt Robert D. Vespico, copilot; and TSgt Clyde R. Ross, rescue and survival technician.

In another Det 10 mission, Captain Fiola and his crew rescued five members of the U.S. Special Forces from an Army helicopter that made a forced landing in hostile territory. Considerable equipment and arms were also saved. With Captain Fiola were Capt William P. Shea, copilot; Sergeant Ross; and Alc Bernard L. Touchette, flight engineer.

 Braving winds gusting to more than 35 knots, an HH-43 crew from Det 1, 38th ARRSq, Phan Rang, RVN, flew to a Korean Navy ship 50 miles off shore to evacuate a seaman suffering from acute appendicitis. With just enough fuel for one attempt at a pickup, Capt Lamonte M. Kahler, RCC, maintained a 50-foot hover over the vessel which was underway and rising and falling about 15 feet. The swaying main mast and several antennas constantly threatened the HUSKIE as the patient was hoisted aboard. Due to the low fuel state, the helicopter landed at Phan Thiet and the seaman was transferred to a Phan Rang C-47. Sharing in the mercy mission were Capt Leonard D. Fialco, copilot; SSgt Ronald T. Cantwell, crewman; and Alc Joseph N. Luther, pararescueman.

HH-43's Long Hover Saves Downed Pilots

Flak... a 58-minute hover over hostile territory... almost inpenetrable jungle growth... a three-mile ride on the end of a hoist cable... these elements were all included in one of the most hazardous missions flown by the rescuemen from
Det 9, 38th ARRSq, Pleiku AB, RVN.

Two HH-43's were involved in the rescue of two seriously injured pilots downed in "extremely hostile" territory 28 miles from Pleiku. Aboard the first HUSKIE were Capt Keith H. Ricks, pilot; Maj Richard A. Smith, copilot; MSgt Frederick F. Wharton and Alc John A. Smith, crewmen. Manning the second helicopter were Capt Donald D. Metzinger, pilot; Capt Jack V. Butler, copilot; Alc Jose G. Abara and A2c Wayne A. Baguio, crewmen. Captain Metzinger took off first but, as flak was encountered and then intensified, he was forced to deviate from a straight course. Captain Rick's crew, which left five minutes later, was able to fly directly to the rescue site and arrived first over the 200-foot jungle canopy.

Airman Smith was lowered to the jungle floor to prepare the survivors and the rescue operation began. The jungle was so thick it was necessary to hoist very slowly to ensure that the survivors were not dragged through the trees. Time and again the hoisting had to be stopped and the forest penetrator seat lowered to untangle it from the interlacing branches. Each time Airman Smith had to hack his way through the dense growth while searching for the device - there were no holes in the jungle canopy which would let it be lowered directly to him. After the second survivor was recovered, the penetrator was lowered to recover the Airman. Although the seat was less than 15 feet away, it took him ALMOST 20 MINUTES to reach it. As he was being lifted, the cable snarled when he was 10 feet below the cabin door. By this time the HUSKIE had been in a hover for 58 minutes and constantly exposed to possible ground fire. Captain Metzinger's crew had also been flying cover during this period and exposing themselves to ground fire in an effort to be close enough to effect a rescue if the hovering HUSKIE was hit. With the Airman still suspended in air, Captain Ricks hover taxiied three miles to a small clearing where the helicopter landed and Airman Smith was taken aboard. Soon afterward the survivors were delivered to the hospital where it was ascertained that both would survive.

(add by Ragay :  for photo of presentation of the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross and two Air Medals to Sergeant Smith click here)

last update : 06/07/2007