March-April 1969-page 4

"Nine-Hour Mission Flown By HH-43 Crews"

In an operation which lasted more than nine hours, three HH-43 "Pedro" crews rescued or evacuated almost two dozen U. S. soldiers from a steep mountain slope covered by dense jungle canopy. During the operation, which was carried out after an Army helicopter was downed in hostile territory, the HH-43's were exposed to enemy automatic weapon and B-40 rocket fire on numerous occasions. In addition, artillery fire and air strikes were also being carried on in the immediate area during the entire period - one series of bursts came within 200 meters of the hovering Pedros ! In order to evacuate the survivors, and later, soldiers who had been sent to defend the crash site, the HH-43 pilots hovered the rescue helicopters for as long as 30 minutes. Rotor tip clearances were often less than two feet from the surrounding trees. Some of the pickups were made in total darkness. Most of the rescuees were seriously injured and one was trapped in the wreckage for more than six hours before the rescuemen were able to free him with chain saws and bolt cutters.

The operation involved three 38th ARRSq (MAC) HH-43's - two from Det 13 and the other from Det 9 - the joint Search and Rescue Center, a "Crown" HC-130 which controlled the mission, numerous helicopter gunships, the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing, and Army ground personnel.

The tremendous rescue effort began as a Det 13 Pedro was returning to its home base at Phu Cat AB from a Medevac. Word was received that an Army helicopter with eight soldiers aboard had been downed 12 miles from the base by enemy fire. Capt Jack S. Brannan, RCC, immediately headed for the crash scene. With him were lstLt Wayne A. Grant, CP; Sgt Larry Knefelcamp, medical technician; and SSgt Delbert Dunn, flight engineer. At Phu Cat, two other HH-43 crews also responded. One, another Det 13 Pedro, was manned by Capt Richard J. Bouckout, RCC; Capt Robert S. Morita, CP; Alc Jones Stamey, pararescueman; Sgt Arthur Charlton, helicopter mechanic; Sgt James Degraw, medical technician; and Capt George W. Atkinson, flight surgeon. The other HH-43, from Det 9, Pleiku AB, was at Phu Caton a parts pickup. The crew consisted of Capt James G. Ellis, RCC; Capt William F. Clark, CP; TSgt Donald Gooding, flight engineer; Alc Lief Arvidson, and Sgt Lonnie C. Conners, pararescueman.

After flying five sorties involving four flight hours and making four combat saves, Captain Bouckout and his crew were relieved by Maj Juan H. Migia, RCC and detachment commander; Maj Dwight Hageman, CP ; SSgt Jesse Franklin, Jr. , helicopter mechanic; and Sgt John Henry, medical technician.

At the crash scene it was found that the whole area was saturated with fuel, but the pararescuemen ignored the obvious danger and worked steadily at freeing or aiding the casualties. They were taken to Phu Cat AB or the Qui Nhon Army Airfield hospital by the HH-43's. A man who figured prominently in the rescue of the downed pilot was SSgt Robert E. Rager of the 37th Civil Engineering Squadron's Fire Department. An expert in the use of crash equipment, the Sergeant was lowered from an HH-43 to conduct the delicate operation of removing the seriously injured pilot from the wreckage. He was lying face down in a position which denied the room needed to operate a power saw. The pilot was fitted into a gunner's harness and his torso gently lifted by a block and tackle so the fireman could start cutting his legs free. Later, when freed, the pilot was lowered carefully to a stokes litter and then hoisted to a rescue helicopter. In addition to the survivors, most of the members of the Army ground party were hoisted to the ARRS helicopters. The last 30 minutes of the operation was conducted in total darkness.

Ironically, as the rescuemen pulled one of the injured passengers into the helicopter, he said, "I'm sure glad to see you guys. This is my last day in Vietnam and I'd hate to spend any more time down there. Please get me fixed up fast, I'm due to go home tomorrow." 

Five men from an Army helicopter downed in hostile territory were evacuated by two HH-43 "Pedros" from Det 13, 38th ARRSq, at Phu Cat AB. Protection against ground fire was given during the pickups by an F-100 Supersabre and Army gunships. The first Pedro was piloted by Maj Juan H. Migia and Maj Dwight C. Hageman with SSgt Delbert B. Dunn and TSgt Aaron W. Farrior as crewmen. They picked up two of the soldiers. The other three were taken aboard the second HH -43 which was piloted by Capt Richard J. Bouckhout and 1stLt Wayne A. Grant, III, Sgts Arthur I. Chariton and Jimmy E. Applegate were crewmen. Both helicopters made confined area landings between 80-foot trees and the downed helicopter. The ground was also covered with logs and large stumps.

last update : 16/07/2007