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57th Assault Helicopter Co.
57th AHC
Gladiators - Cougars

Goldbook Info - UH-1D 66-16091

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-16091
The Army purchased this helicopter 0267
Total flight hours at this point: 00001360
Date: 02/16/69
Incident number: 69021657.KIA
Unit: 57 AHC
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: ZA055956
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Also: OPERA (Operations Report. )
Loss to Inventory

Crew Members:
AC WO1 PAPALE ARTHUR LAWRENCE KIA
P WO1 PERRON NORMAND PAUL KIA
CE SP4 OLIVER RICK ALTON KIA
G SP4 ALCOS LARRY MELVIN KIA

War Story:
The 57th AHC unit history states that while trying to insert a LRRP team in an LZ one mile northeast of Polei Kleng, the aircraft, piloted by WOs Norman Perron and Arthur Papale, received an unknown number and type of hits from enemy ground fire. WO Perron radioed on climb out that the controls were erratic. The aircraft then began a slow spiral descent, it crashed and burst into flames upon impact. All four of the crewmembers were killed as were 4 LRRP team members aboard This record was last updated on 05/25/98

The following is crew member information for this incident:
Name: SP4 Larry Melvin Alcos
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 02/16/69 while performing the duty of Gunner.
Age at death: 20.8
Date of Birth: 05/17/48
Home City: Waipahu, HI
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 57 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 32W-041
Short Summary: LRRP insert near Polei Kleng, west of Kontum. Enemy fire hit controls. Lost 90 degree gear box on take off, crashed & exploded. All died
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-16091
Service number: 67190675
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67A1F = Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: door gunner
Started Tour: 08/08/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Location: Kontum Province II Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: ZA055956
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Malayan
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 04/18/98


Name: SGT Ralph Gerald Dunn
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 02/16/69 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Date of Birth: 10/27/47
Home City: Andalusia, AL
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Major organization: 4th Infantry Division
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 32W-043
Short Summary: LRRP insert near Polei Kleng, west of Kontum. Enemy fire hit controls. Lost 90 degree gear box on take off, crashed & exploded. All died
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-16091
Service number: 12939230
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B40 = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 11/20/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Kontum Province II Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: ZA055956
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Baptist - other groups
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 07/31/96


Name: SP4 Gerald Quinn Hancock (posthumously promoted)
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 02/16/69 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Date of Birth: 12/13/41
Home City: Louisville, KY
Service: component of the U.S. Army.
Major organization: 4th Infantry Division
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 32W-043
Short Summary: LRRP insert near Polei Kleng, west of Kontum. Enemy fire hit controls. Lost 90 degree gear box on take off, crashed & exploded. All died
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-16091
Service number: 51945014
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11C20 = Indirect Fire Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: unknown
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 06/25/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Kontum Province II Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: ZA055956
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Episcopal (Anglican)
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 07/31/96


Name: PFC Hugh Rufus Mc Kinney (posthumously promoted)
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 02/16/69 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Date of Birth: 12/11/47
Home City: New York, NY
Service: component of the U.S. Army.
Major organization: 4th Infantry Division
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 32W-045
Short Summary: LRRP insert near Polei Kleng, west of Kontum. Enemy fire hit controls. Lost 90 degree gear box on take off, crashed & exploded. All died
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-16091
Service number: 52773369
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B1P = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 12/10/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Location: Kontum Province II Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: ZA055956
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Negro
Relgion: Protestant - other churches
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 07/31/96


Name: SP4 Rick Alton Oliver
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 02/16/69 while performing the duty of Crew Chief.
Age at death: 20.2
Date of Birth: 11/30/48
Home City: Chula Vista, CA
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 57 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 32W-045
Short Summary: LRRP insert near Polei Kleng, west of Kontum. Enemy fire hit controls. Lost 90 degree gear box on take off, crashed & exploded. All died
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-16091
Service number: 18851225
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67N20 = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: crew chief
Started Tour: 10/24/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Kontum Province II Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: ZA055956
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Christian Science
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 04/18/98


Name: WO1 Arthur Lawrence Papale
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 02/16/69 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander.
Age at death: 23.4
Date of Birth: 09/05/45
Home City: Biloxi, MS
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 57 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 68-19
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 32W-045
Short Summary: LRRP insert near Polei Kleng, west of Kontum. Enemy fire hit controls. Lost 90 degree gear box on take off, crashed & exploded. All died
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-16091
Call sign: Gladiator
Service number: W3163328
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 062B
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: pilot
Started Tour: 01/03/69
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - pilot
Location: Kontum Province II Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: ZA055956
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 07/20/98


Name: WO1 Normand Paul Perron
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 02/16/69 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 23.3
Date of Birth: 10/23/45
Home City: Glen Burnie, MD
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 57 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 68-505/68-3
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 32W-047
Short Summary: LRRP insert near Polei Kleng, west of Kontum. Enemy fire hit controls. Lost 90 degree gear box on take off, crashed & exploded. All died
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-16091
Call sign: Gladiator
Service number: W3160818
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 062B
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Started Tour: 07/02/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Location: Kontum Province II Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: ZA055956
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 04/18/98


Name: SP4 Jack Lee Rightmyer
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 02/16/69 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Date of Birth: 08/19/48
Home City: Allentown, PA
Service: component of the U.S. Army.
Major organization: 4th Infantry Division
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 32W-046
Short Summary: LRRP insert near Polei Kleng, west of Kontum. Enemy fire hit controls. Lost 90 degree gear box on take off, crashed & exploded. All died
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-16091
Service number: 52987683
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B2P = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: small arms fire
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 07/13/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Kontum Province II Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: ZA055956
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 07/31/96

The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-16091
It is provided here as an ESTIMATE of the history of this helicopter and is not intended to be the final authority.
This helicopter was purchased by the US Army in 0267.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.

Tabular Data unavailable on mobile device
DATE  FLT HRS    UIC      UNIT          AREA          POST          COUNTRY
6702   0    1 W0Y6AA TRAN MDMHELCO S  ALASKA                      ALASKA
6703   2    3 W0MHAA DIROF SUP TRAN   6TH ARMY   SHARPE GD        AVCOM
6704   0    3 W0MHAA DIROF SUP TRAN   6TH ARMY   SHARPE GD        AVCOM
6705   0    3 W0MHAA DIROF SUP TRAN   6TH ARMY   SHARPE GD        AVCOM
6706   7   10 3364   USARV FLT DET    VIETNAM                     RVN
6707  21   31 3364   USARV FLT DET    VIETNAM                     RVN
6708  20   51 3364   BELL HCPTR       BAILMENT   FT WORTH         AVCOM
6709  34  114 WBSZAA 283 MED DET HA   VIETNAM                     RVN
6710  45  159 3364   BELL HCPTR       BAILMENT   FT WORTH         AVCOM
6711  24  183 3364   355 AVN CO       4TH ARMY   FORT SILL        4TH ARMY
6712  26  209 3364   355 AVN CO       4TH ARMY   FORT SILL        4TH ARMY
6801  35  244 3364   355 AVN CO       4TH ARMY   FORT SILL        4TH ARMY
6802 106  350 WC41AA 173 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN
6803   0  350 WC41AA 173 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN
6804   0  350 WC41AA 173 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN
6805  83  433 WAX5AA 57 AVN CO AM FW  VIETNAM                     RVN
6806  43  476 WAX5AA 57 AVN CO AM FW  VIETNAM                     RVN
6807 100  576 WAX5AA 57 AVN CO AM FW  VIETNAM                     RVN
6808 108  684 WAX5AA 57 AVN CO AM FW  VIETNAM                     RVN
6809 124  808 WAX5AA 57 AVN CO AM FW  VIETNAM                     RVN
6810 103  911 WAX5AA 57 AVN CO AM FW  VIETNAM                     RVN
6811 138 1049 WAX5AA 57 AVN CO AM FW  VIETNAM                     RVN
6812 164 1213 WAX5AA 57 AVN CO AM FW  VIETNAM                     RVN
6901 119 1332 WAX5AA 57 AVN CO AM FW  VIETNAM                     RVN
6902  28 1360 WC5CAA 572ND MI DET     VIETNAM                     RVN

Printed from databases on: 08/27/00
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