Unit Operations 1967

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September 1966
187th Assault Helicopter Company Activated
Fort Bragg, North Carolina

1967 Annual Supplement

In the day to day combat operations of an Assault Helicopter Company, certain events stand out above all others. These happenings relate to the extraordinary achievements, the courage, the humor and the tragedies that come from the men of an Assault Helicopter Company; together they present us with a picture of the unit’s character and spirit. The Blackhawks have a story to tell; a story about the making of the finest Assault Helicopter Company in Vietnam.

On 31 March 1967 the Blackhawks returned to their Tay Ninh Roost after two weeks of training with the 11th and 145th Combat Aviation Battalions. On 1 April 1967, with from 50 to 60 hours experience under their belts, the Blackhawks began flying as Aircraft Commanders and Pilots in their own ships for the very first time. That wasn’t so easy; it took a lot of cools to assume command of that ship with only 50 hours experience and that not being in the left seat. Artillery wasn’t so easy to translate yet, the tactical approaches were still uncoordinated abortions, emergency procedures were greased on the windshields, all those maps were unmanageable, and Charlie was down there just waiting!

The Blackhawks learned fast. With five slicks and a light fire team, (LFT) under the operational control of the Hornets (116th Aslt Hel Co), the Blackhawk crews performed on combat assaults and on every kind of ash and trash mission conceivable.

April - 1967 Go Top

3 Apr 67 - The first tragedy to beset the Blackhawks happened on this day. In the traditional Blackhawk effort to give of themselves 120%, Warrant Officer Corbett and Thornburg, crew chief SP4 Hodge, and door gunner PFC Matthews, volunteered to carry a load of radio equipment to the top of Song Be Mountain. They crashed on top of that mountain. The cause - inexperience, too much of a load, and moderate turbulence on top of a 3500’ mountain. Warrant Officer Corbett sustained a broken nose; Warrant Officer Thornburg sustained a compound fracture of the arm and a damaged nerve. They were both evacuated to Japan. Warrant Officer Thornburg was further evacuated to the States.   SP4 Hodge broke a bone in his foot and PFC Matthews sustained some deep cuts; they are both back on duty as Blackhawks. The aircraft was totaled.

6 Apr 67 - The Blackhawks were programmed to provide only five slicks and two guns until April 10, but they were fast improving and requests for their support were growing. On this day they committed 10 and 4. This was the beginning of a trend that would prove the Blackhawks maintenance team to be the finest in keeping the "mostest up the longest".

8 Apr 67 - The Rat Pack got their first sampan! While test firing their weapons west of Tay Ninh, Captain Kunde , Major Bauman, Captain Derosier, and Warrant Officer Stahleoker discovered a VC sampan. Alas! A moving target! The fun didn’t last long; the two gun ships disintegrated the sampan after only two passes.

10 Apr 67 - The Blackhawks go fully operational. Flying in support of the 2d Bde, 25th Inf Div at Duo Hoa and the 36th RVN Ranger Bn at Tay Ninh, the Blackhawks committed 12 and 4, carried 624 troops, 68 tons, flew 148 hours on 322 sorties.

12 Apr 67 - The Blackhawks take their first hits. Warrant Officer Conde and Warrant Officer Taylor take 14 hits on the way out of French Fort PZ. These two Blackhawks will go on to establish themselves as the biggest "magnet asses" in the company.

13 Apr 67 - 2LT Jackson and WO Smith, flying a UH-10, were making their second firing pass on a suspected VC headquarters when they were hit with intense automatic weapon fire. One round hit and exploded 2.75" rocket as it was leaving the pod. The explosion nearly severed PFC Howell’s arm. SP4 James T. Hester, the crew chief, immediately went to his gunners aid. The wound was so devastating and bleeding so profusely, that SP4 Hester literally thrust his hand into Howell’s chest cavity to pinch the artery off. His courageous action saved PFC Howell’s life. The explosion also knocked the hydraulics out and severely damaged the control linkage. The engine temperature rose to above the red line. LT Jackson and WO Smith should have landed the aircraft immediately before the hydraulics completely froze or before the engine blew up. Rather than risk the loss of Howell’s life both pilots elected to fly the crippled ship back to Dau Tieng. There, they made a no hydraulics, running landing on their very first try. PFC Howell's arm was saved and he was evacuated to the states. The Doctor’s statement attested to the soundness of the pilots’ decision to fly to Dau Tieng. If they hadn’t, PFC Howell most likely would have bled to death. SP4 Hester was recommended for the Silver Star. LT Jackson and WO Smith were recommended for the Distinguished Flyer Cross.

14 Apr 67 - The first of many counter mortar standbys for the Rat
Pack began tonight. So far, they haven’t been needed at Tay Ninh.

15 Apr 67 - At 2030 hours Major William F. Bauman received an emergency request for a Blackhawk Command and Control ship to aid Prek Klok Special Forces Camp which was under a heavy mortar and ground attack. Major Bauman, Warrant Officer McGrady, Sergeant Stoeve and SP4 Dolan volunteered their services to crew the ship. These Blackhawks flew through IFR weather conditions for several hours as they assisted the Prek Klok Commander. During this time they landed outside the Prek Klok perimeter and evacuated eleven wounded back to Tay Ninh. They also assisted an LFT in finding their way out of the weather and back to Tay Ninh . For their courageous actions and devotion to duty the pilots have been recommended for the DFC and the crew for the Air Medal with V Device.

18 Apr 67 - A big day for the Blackhawks. Four gun ships and five slicks displayed the courage and flying ability that would have been expected only of people with six to eight months combat experience. A Civilian Irregular Defense Group was ambushed near the Cambodian border. They were about to be overrun when Captain Kunde’s and Captain Weaver’s fire teams came to the rescue. Once again, Blackhawks flew through thunderstorms where visibility was less than a quarter of a mile. The guns even lifted some Special Forces advisors into the beleaguered LL. Captain Clarke then led five slicks of his third platoon into the LZ where he hovered around while under fire to pick up 23 wounded and KIA personnel. Once again the Blackhawks were recommended for a fist full of DFC’s and AM w/"V"’s.

20 Apr 67 - The Blackhawks experience their first Tac E at 1930 hours. Prek Klok is out of ammunition and the Blackhawks are called to conduct a night re-supply. The mission went without a hitch.

21 Apr 67 - The Blackhawks receive their first RRF mission for II Field Forces. They were not’t committed - a day of much needed rest.

23 Apr 67 - Black Baron executes it’s first Battalion lift. The Hornets lead, followed by the Blackhawks, while the Top Tigers bring up the trail. Thirty-six lift ships carry the 1st and 2d Bde of the 25th and the 1/34 Ranger Bn. The Blackhawks committed 15 and 3.

    24 Apr 67 - Three slicks and one heavy fire team participate in the           Blackhawks’ first Eagle flight for the 1st of the 9th Infantry.

25 Apr 67 - The Blackhawks are traveling far these days - The 9th Royal Australian Regiment at Vung Tau. The Rat Pack teaches the Vung Tau VC that it doesn’t pay to shoot at helicopters with a big white rat painted on the front. When they did the Rat Pack retaliated by destroying 18 structures, 1 mortar position, 1 storage area, and 10 sampans.

27 Apr 67 - Another bump on a rough road to stardom. Warrant Officers Henry and Meade catch a tail rotor as they are going into a tight LZ. The aircraft is totaled and the crew sustains some bruises, but they are soon back in action.

30 Apr 67 - The Blackhawks finish April by committing 16 and 4 in support of the 9th at My Tho. They fly 456 sorties in 182 hours and carry 893 passengers. 2822 hours for the Blackhawks for their first month!

May - 1967 Go Top

5 May 67 - A tactical emergency was relayed to Blackhawk Operations requesting a medevac and a light fire team when a Special Forces Camp at XT 165554 was overrun by the VC. Eleven casualties were evacuated to the 45th Surgical Hospital at Tay Ninh.

6 May 67 - On this day a Blackhawk was performing a Command and Control mission for the 25th Div. At 1500 hours the ship took a hit and was forced to make a precautionary landing to check for damage. At 1600 the same Blackhawk was again hit by enemy fire, however, he continued to fly his mission until 1620 hours when another hit forced him to make a precautionary landing. He again returned to the air to complete his mission without further incident.

8 May 67 - Warrant Officers Seale and Meade were taking off from Tay Ninh POL on a south departure, closed right from traffic to the Roost, when either their engine failed or a short shaft failed. They were about 40’ in the air with less than 35 knots. Before they were aware of the problem they had lost most of their RPM. They fell to the ground and totaled the aircraft. WO Seale is flying again, WO Meade has been evacuated to the states.

12 May 67 - WO Tanner had an engine fail while at a high hover in POL. He did a good job of setting it down even though the skids did a split.

23 May 67 - The Blackhawks had their first, and probably last, maintenance stand down.

24 May 67 - The Blackhawks committed 15 and 4 and flew 200 hours.

27 May 67 - At approximately 1330 hours the Blackhawks were rallied for a tactical emergency. All Blackhawks left whatever re-supply mission they had been on and headed for Bao Troi. In twenty minutes 10 ships were sitting on the strip waiting to be deployed.

30 May 67 - At dusk the Rat Pack discovered three gun or rocket positions 2’ by 8’ just off the Tay Ninh perimeter. They were destroyed.

The Blackhawks flew 3479 hours in May while the Hornets flew 3452 hours.

June - 1967 Go Top

9 Jun 67 - The 188th placed five UH-1H helicopters under Blackhawk control for training purposes. The Blackhawks and five Black Widows supported the 1st, 2d Bde of the 25th Div. near the horseshoe at Duc Hoa. Six Blackhawks received 30 caliber hits; two were evacuated and the rest continued to fly. Captain Presson was wounded in the arm, however, he courageously continued to lead the flight until the mission was accomplished. He received the DFC. Fourteen VC KIA’s were confirmed and 10 more were possible’s.

17 Jun 67 - The Blackhawks were on RRF status when at 1430 they were called on a Tac E at Lai Khe. They were released at 1900 hours.

22 Jun 67 - At 1900 hours 5 slicks and 2 guns were called out on a Tac E for the 25th Div.

23 Jun 67 - One dog was evacuated for injuries from XT 525020 to the Veterinary Hospital at Chu Chi.

24 Jun 67-Tac E at Lai Khe at 1300 hours.

July - 1967 Go Top

2 Jul 67 - The Blackhawks were involved in a combat assault mission in which they received intense enemy automatic weapons fire. Aircraft Commander Warrant Officer Paul Walker and his co-pilot Warrant Officer John Lindeman were wounded simultaneously in the legs and crew chief SP5 Larry W. Mackey rushed forward and removed the pilot from his seat and flew the aircraft to the medivac facility in Cu Chi. For his bravery and exceptionally outstanding skill which saved the lives of everyone aboard the aircraft, SP5 Mackey was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

5 Jul 1967 - While conducting eagle flights for the 25th Infantry Division our "Rat Pack" gunships received enemy fire, They were cleared to return the fire and were credited with 16 Viet Cong KIA. They also destroyed four bunkers and four sampans,

7 Jul 1967 - A UH-1D helicopter flown by Major Charles E. Sauer and Captain Thomas A. Derosier was reported missing Crews were scrambled immediately upon report of the missing Blackhawks, The aircraft was found in the vicinity of Minh Thanh and it had crashed and burned beyond recognition.  No one knows the cause of the mysterious tragedy which took the lives of the four crew members aboard.  Major Sauer, Captain Derosier, PFC Tatum and PFC Simon were the first members of the 187th Assault helicopter Company to die in the Republic of Vietnam.

12 Jul 1967 - The Rat Pack gunships received enemy fire while supporting 116th Assault helicopter Company on a tactical emergency. One of the gunners was wounded by the deadly assault.

15 Jul 1967 -The Blackhawks responded to an emergency and evacuated nineteen U.S. troops and one ARVN during the darkness of night, The gunships fired 2.75 rockets at the enemy and were credited with three Viet Cong KIA,

16 Jul 1967 - While on a general support mission, Major Wolfe and WO1 Eckle experienced engine failure in their aircraft, The crew performed marvelously by landing the aircraft safely without damage or injuries.

26 Jul 1967 - The Blackhawks noticed for the first time since arrival in country, a new type of enemy aircraft fire (airburst) while on a combat assault mission

August - 1967 Go Top

1 Aug 1967 - The 187th flew combat assault missions for Second Brigade 25th infantry Division. They carried 946 passengers and performed seven medivac missions The Rat Pack killed one Viet Gong in the course of the action and were credited with two possible Viet Cong KIA. They also destroyed five huts five bunkers and three sampans, Four Viet Cong were wounded by the Rat Pack and later- captured by the ground troops.

4 Aug 1967 - What a day for the Rat Pack. They were credited with 18 Viet Cong KIA’s as the Blackhawks continued combat assault missions into an area four miles southwest of Cu Chi,

7 Aug 1967 - The Blackhawks were called upon to support the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in a combat assault which developed into the fiercest battle in the history of the 187th at that time.   Major William F. Bauman flew the command and control aircraft as his flight of UH-1D helicopters descended into the LZ and immediately encountered intense heavy automatic weapons and small arms fire.  Four aircraft were immediately hit.   More aircraft were requested to arrive on the scene seven miles north of Saigon to assist with the insertions which were to be continued.  More insertions into the area were executed and the enemy's ground assault continued to lash at the Blackhawks flight. Several aircraft had been shot down in the LZ.  Lieutenant David Eshelman flew into the hot LZ to rescue a downed crew and received heavy automatic weapons fire.  He managed to rescue the crew but his aircraft was shot down after departing the LZ.   The 187th used 15 helicopters in the action and thirteen of these aircraft were hit, damaged or destroyed as a result of the intense enemy ground fire.  The Blackhawks slept over night in Cu Chi following the battle.

8 Aug 1967 - The Blackhawks assembled in the company area for a spot awards ceremony, Major General George P, Seneff, Commanding General of 1st Aviation Brigade awarded the Silver Star to Major William F. Bauman, Lieutenant Charles D, Eshelman, Captain Jerry T, Wagner, Captain Billis Pfesson and Captain Gerald R Kunde for demonstrations of gallantry in action in the battle of 7 Aug. 1967.  This was the largest awards ceremony ever held by the 187th.  Five Silver Stars and 23 Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded.

12 Aug 1967 - The 187th Finally begins combat assault missions after re cooperating from the aircraft shortage suffered following the action of 7 August 1967, They flew assaults for the 1st Infantry Division operating from Phuoc Vinh and Quan Loi.

30 Aug 1967 - While conducting combat assault missions in the vicinity of Phu Hoa Dong four miles east of Cu Chi, the Blackhawks received intense enemy ground fire from three sides of the L2, Eleven aircraft were damaged by the ground fire and three Blackhawks were wounded, Another busy day for the awards and Decorations Officer,

September - 1967 Go Top

1 Sep 1967 - This day was established as "Unit Day for the 187th Assault helicopter Company. Since the unit was activated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina exactly one year ago on the 1st of September. The Blackhawks celebrated the day with pomp and Circumstance followed by steak dinners at the club. A CBS camera crew was on hand to film the occasion as well as to cover the Blackhawks in action while they flew combat assault missions for the 25th Infantry Division on the same day,

11 Sep 1967 - The 187th was involved in a battalion size combat assault mission in the Hobo Woods, Major William Bauman led the flight of twenty helicopters into the LZ with full suppressions Following the Battalion operation, the Blackhawks supported the 25th ARVN Division in a combat assault training mission two miles east of Cu Chi,

20 Sep 1967 - Captain Billie Presson a flight platoon leader of the 187^th was killed during the last extraction from what appeared to be a secure PZ. He had led the Blackhawk flight through out the day conducting Eagle Flights for the 25th Infantry Division in the Hobo woods. Four ships were hit by enemy ground fire throughout the mission but continued to fly. Captain Pressen died from a bullet wound in the head while sitting in the PZ as the troops loaded.

25 Sep 1967 - While operating from a PZ in the Hobo Woods, a flight of five Blackhawk aircraft led by Captain Jerry T, Wagner was subjected to an enemy mortar attack as the troops scrambled aboard. The flight departed before the mortar barrages were adjusted towards the point of touchdown, and there were negative injuries or damage, New aviators in the flight earned their Blackhawk patches that day,

28 Sep 1967 - The Blackhawks participated in a six company combat assault into an LZ, ten miles southwest of Go Dau Ha.. Major William Bauman led the formation and went in for a single ship rescue of a downed Blackhawk crew in an insecure area.

29 Sep 1967 - Warrant Officer Eric Mercer establishes a Blackhawks record with Two (2) forced landings in two days. WO Mercer managed to land safely without damage or injury on both occasions,

October - 1967 Go Top

11 Oct 1967 - Captain Ellis M. Bailey died when his aircraft crashed into the water and sank with six people on board, while on operations south of Saigon with U.S. Navy Riverboats.  Captain Bailey was the only person unable to get out of the aircraft, and it settled in 30 feet of water.

16 Oct 1967 - While operating in the vicinity of Duc Hoa, the Blackhawk flight received automatic weapons fire on short final to an LZ, They continued through the ballistic assault with negative suppression and discharged the troops, Two aircraft sustained bullet damage but continued to fly, Warrant Officer Frank Kurinec is officially designated the "Magnet" of the unit since his aircraft had received ten hits in two days of combat assaults.

18 Oct 1967 - Warrant Officer Joseph Henry and 1Lt Jerry Adams were flying general support missions for the 25th infantry Division three miles northeast of Dau Tieng when they received enemy automatic weapons fire at 140O feet, The crew chief, Specialist fourth Class Richard Krawczyk realized that the ship had been hit but. he did not realize that his flight helmet had taken a round also, He discovered this forty-five minutes later when he attempted to pull his visor down, The single enemy bullet had penetrated his visor and continued through the top of his helmet. A close shave for Krawczyk.

21/Oct 1967 - Taken from General orders 1040: Dated 10/21/67 .......these men (Blackhawks) distinguished themselves while serving as crew of UH-1D helicopters during an eagle flight operation.  After a series of strategically placed combat assaults isolated a twenty man Viet Cong platoon, the flight lifted off with a 20 man reaction force and headed to the battle scene.  The men put down a deadly barrage of suppressive fire from their M-60 machine guns as the flight flew through heavy enemy fire to a touchdown point on top of the enemy platoon.  Those men were credited with killing at least 2 (more like 7, Frenchie) Viet Cong trying to get out from under the flight.  They made it possible for the total annihilation of a 20 man Viet Cong platoon without a single United States soldier being killed.
Submitted by Robert "Frenchie" Gibeault

November - 1967 Go Top

1 Nov 1967 - Major Bauman is promoted to Lieutenant Colonel,

6 Nov 1967 - Major Joseph C. Burns formerly the executive officer of the 187th becomes the new Blackhawk commander in a change of command ceremony in Blackhawkland. Lieutenant Colonel Bauman became the Operations Officer of the 12th Combat Aviation Group. Major Thomas L. Hester became the executive Officer of the 187th.

22 Nov 1967 - While engaged in a company sized operation north of Dau Tieng, aircraft 66-00925 was hit by small arms fire. Pilot MAJ Evart Eugene Robeson suffered a severe leg wound and the crew evacuated him immediately to medical facilities in Dau Tieng. He subsequently succumbed to shock two days later. More

30 Nov 1967 - The Blackhawks complete an accident-free month, The maintenance officer Major James Stewart, compliments the officers and men of the 187th for the safety record

December - 1967 Go Top

6 Dec 1967 - The 187th was. summoned as the Ready Reaction Force to support the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in the vicinity of Tan Uyen, RVN. The flight of troop carrying helicopters received automatic weapons fire on short final to an LZ ten miles north of Bien Hoa, The "Rat Pack" pounced upon the enemy positions immediately with 2.75 rockets and miniguns, The enemy fire was silenced and the troops were inserted, Extractions began late in the afternoon and continued into the hours of darkness, Warrant Officer William A. Britt experienced an engine failure at 1915 hours and autorotated into an insecure area, He and his crew plus equipment were immediately evacuated from the area. The Blackhawks regrouped and performed a night insertion of security troops into the narrow LZ to protect the downed gunship over night. That was certainly a long day for the 187^th.

7 Dec 1967 - On this day, W01 Charles Chester Wilcox was assigned to another unit (190th AHC) to provide training.  WO1 Wilcox was reported as KIA.   Official report states: WO1 Charles Chester Wilcox died of a gun shot to the head while inserting ARVN troops to a hot LZ near Phu Loi.  UH-1D.

22 Dec 1967 - The Rat Pack" gunships were scrambled for counter mortar in the vicinity of Bo Tuc, 30 miles north east of Tay Ninh. The fire support base received a mortar and ground attack after dark and the "Rat Pack" interrupted the enemy assault with rockets and machine gun fire, They were credited with 10 Viet Cong KIA by actual body count at the location,

25 Dec 1967 - Christmas Day and the Blackhawks flew general support missions for the 25th Infantry Division. The crews delivered food, gifts, and tidings of great joy to U.S. and ARVN soldiers throughout the Third Corp Tactical Zone. The mess hall experienced the Yule tide spirit in grand style, for the flight crews returned for dinner which included a choice of chicken, steak, or lobster or even all three if one so desired.

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