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

1st Aviation Brigade
52nd Combat Aviation Battalion
57th Aviation Company

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1973 Gladiators - Cougars


Camp Holloway - Pleiku, Vietnam

Annual Supplement - History of the 57th Aviation Company (AH)


17th Aviation Group (Combat), 1st Aviation Brigade
Camp Holloway, Pleiku, Republic of Vietnam APO 96318
1 January 1973 - 9 March 1973

Prepared by Unit Historical Officers


CW2 Daniel G. Swan
WO1 Steve D. Bortnyk

Approved by


Monty B. Price MAJ, IN Commanding

FOREWORD

1973 opened with the promise of peace being close, but the reality of war was still with the 57th Aviation Company (Aslt Hel). Daily combat missions continued. Then on 28 January peace in Vietnam was signed into a treaty. All of February saw the Gladiators continuing unarmed support missions while transferring equipment and aircraft to the South Vietnamese. The combat proven Gladiators were the last Army aviation elements to leave the Central Highlands over which they had flown and fought for five years. Memories of gallant comrades and valorous deeds will forever be a part of those who served with the proud 57th Aviation Company (Aslt Hel).


HERALDRY


Gladiator Crest The Gladiator crest represents the symbolic dedication to duty and skill that the famed Gladiators of ancient Rome exhibited. The contrast exhibited in the Gladiator crest is represented by the sword which is wielded by the Gladiator of ancient Rome, and the winged bird he brandished upon his shield. The Gladiator of old was the backbone of the greatest army ever seen in ancient history. The Gladiator of today tries to emulate his predecessor. The weapon he employs are the wings of Army Aviation, the ideals and high standards are as applicable to the Gladiators of today as they were to those of yesterday. The true spirit of the Gladiator is carried on by the flying warriors of today.

COMMAND AND CONTROL


Maj. Monty B. Price » 1 Jan 73 - 9 Mar 73

ORGANIZATION AND MISSION

January of 1973, prior to the signing of the cease-fire on the 28th, the 57th Aviation Company (AH) utilized 25 UH-1H and seven AH-1G aircraft. The company consisted of two lift platoons, one gun platoon, one service platoon, and a headquarters platoon.

Soon after the cease-fire, company strength was reduced considerably by the disbanding of the Cougar gun platoon. The unit then continued to reduce in personnel strength proportionate to the withdrawal of U.S. forces in Vietnam. With the arrival of the unit's final day, 9 Mar 73, personnel strength was at 30 officers and men who would leave Camp Holloway and start their return trip home together.

In the little over two months the unit flew in 1973, they were the only aviation assets to provide daily support to the four Western Provinces of II Corps. Throughout this period the Gladiators provided support for:

Commanding General of II Corps, Headquarters and Staff
Ranger Command
Senior advisors for Pleiku, Kontum, Darloc, and Phubon provinces
Commanding General, Headquarters and Staff to the 23d ARVN Division
Second Regional Assistance Command Staff

The 57th also utilized an effective UH-1H Nighthawk gunship equipped with two 7.62 miniguns and a Xenon searchlight for perimeter defense and night rescue operations in the Pleiku area.

UNIT OPERATIONS

The Gladiators of the 57th Aviation Company (Aslt Hel) welcomed the new year at Camp Holloway, Pleiku, Republic of Vietnam. From Camp Holloway the unit flew daily support missions for Kontum, Pleiku, Darlock, and Phubon provinces. The company flew resupply, command and control, visual reconnaissance, and armed helicopter escort missions throughout the four supported provinces.

Everything went well for the 57th starting at the very beginning of the new year with renewed talk of a cease fire throughout Vietnam. Enemy activity was light throughout the month of January and only four aircraft received minor damage from enemy fire. Fortunately there no injuries on any of the aircraft.

All was going well for the 57th until near the end of the month, on 25 January, one UH-1H crashed three miles West of Pleiku returning from a visual reconnaissance in support of the Second Regional Assistance Command. The pilot and door gunner received serious injuries and were medevaced to hospitals in the United States.

This was to be the last serious incident to affect the 57th due to the signing of the long awaited cease-fire on 28 January 1973. The day everyone hoped would come had finally arrived and the 57th immediately began preparations to disband the unit.

With the coming of the February, mission commitment decreased, but support was still being provided for the four provinces senior advisors and the Second Regional Assistance Command. Visual reconnaissance and resupply were the main missions being performed by the Gladiators. This support continued on through the first week of March. The 57th was the last aviation unit to leave the Central Highlands.

The 57th's Cougar gun platoon ceased flying the day the cease-fire was signed as did the Nighthawk gunship. The aircraft were disarmed and all preparations were made quickly for their final flight in the Republic of Vietnam. On 4 February that flight was made to a Saigon turn in point where the aircraft would be prepared for shipment to the United States.

Throughout the month of February and on into March, the personnel strength was reduced so as to arrive on 9 March with a total of 30 officers and men assigned to the company.

With all preparations completed in all areas and all equipment either signed over to the South Vietnamese or shipped to the United States, a final inspection was made of Camp Holloway for suitability. With this completed, the 57th Aviation Company (Aslt Hel) departed on the first leg of their long trip home.

The Combat Proven 57th, disbanded but not forgotten, leaves behind an impressive record in mission accomplishment. A record which enables each man who served in the 57th Aviation Company (Aslt Hel) proud to say he was a Gladiator.

STATISTICAL SUMMARY


JANUARY
Number of hours flown: UH-1H 911 AH-1G 143
Cargo carried in tons: 32
Sorties flown: 2148
Passengers carried: 4817
Aircraft availability rate: UH-1H 74% AH-1G 67%
Ammunition expenditures: 40MM: 3830 7.62: 35,300 2.75: 481
Damage assessment: No confirmed reports received.

FEBRUARY
Number of hours flown: UH-1H 654 AH-1G 22
Cargo carried in tons: 21
Sorties flown: 1423
Passengers carried: 3747
Aircraft availability rate: UH-1H 90% AH-1G 94%
Ammunition expenditures: NONE
Damage assessment: NONE

MARCH
Number of hours flown: UH-1H 135 AH-1G NONE
Cargo carried in tons: 12
Sorties flown: 205
Passengers carried: 702
Aircraft availability rate: UH-1H 96% AH-1G NONE
Ammunition expenditures: NONE
Damage assessment: NONE
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AWARDS AND DECORATIONS


ANDERSON KENNETH D SP4 ARCOM
ANDERSON LARRY M SP4 ARCOM
BARRETT RALPH E SP4 ARCOM
BAUER MICHAEL SP4 ARCOM
BAXTER WILLIAM 1LT BS-S DFC
BECHTOL DAVID C SP4 ARCOM
BILLOPS ALLEN PV2 ARCOM
BORTNYK STEVE WO1 BS-S
BOWEN RICHARD SP4 ARCOM
BRIDGES JAMES SP5 ARCOM
BRIGGS JERRY W SP5 ARCOM
BRINSON CHRIS A CW2 ARCOM
BROCKS RICKY L SP4 ARCOM
BROWN WRITEFIELD SP4 ARCOM
BRUMMETT ALVINL SP4 ARCOM
BRYANT PAUL M SP4 ARCOM
BRYANT TEDDY SP5 ARCOM
BUSBY BERNARD H CW2 BS-S
BYRDSONG WILLIE SP4 ARCOM
CARMICHAEL PAUL D 1LT BS-S
CHAMBERS EDWARD S JR CPT BS-S
CHRISWELL MICHAEL D SP4 ARCOM
CLAPPER JOHN W JR CPT BS-S
CLARK CHARLES R PFC ARCOM
CLOVER RICHARD CW2 BS-S DFC
COHEN HENRY SP4 ARCOM
COOPER SAMUEL SP5 ARCOM
COTTON JAMES PFC ARCOM
CRAIG ROBERT G SP4 ARCOM
CURRY RIGINALD C SP4 ARCOM
DANIEL LUTHER SFC BS-S
DARNY BRUCE SP4 ARCOM
DAVIDSON WALTER SP5 ARCOM
DAVIS DAVID L SP4 ARCOM
DEAN ROBERT H 1LT BS-S
DIAZ ROBERTO E III SP4 ARCOM
DOZIER RUSSELL G. SP5 ARCOM
DRENCKPOHL DARRELL J SSG BS-S
DRODDY GROVER SFC BS-S
DUBAR EARN R. SP5 ARCOM
EDWARDS JULIUS C SSG BS-S
EIDEN STEVE L PFC ARCOM
ENGRO DEWEY SP5 ARCOM
EZELL MARSHALL 1LT BS-S
FAHEY PAUL JOSEPH SP4 ARCOM
FARMER JOHN H CW2 BS-S
FERNSTROM CARL SP5 ARCOM
FORD ALVIN J SSG BS-S
FRAINE CARL K PFC ARCOM
GIEBNER ROBERT CW2 BS-S
GONZALES JOHNNY SP5 ARCOM
GOSS JON B SP4 ARCOM
GRAY RICHARD T SP4 ARCOM
GREGOR DALE SP4 ARCOM
GRIBLING GORDON G JR SP4 ARCOM
HALE JIMMY D SP5 ARCOM
HARVISON WILLIAM SP5 ARCOM
HAWKINS JUNIOR D SP5 ARCOM
HENDERSON THOMAS E PFC ARCOM
HEPLER EDWARD O. SP5 ARCOM
HICKMAN DANIEL L SP4 ARCOM
HILLEBERT TEDDY R SP4 ARCOM
HOLDEN LARRY J 1LT BS-S
HOPKINS ROBERT L SP4 ARCOM
HOOD DANNY W SP4 ARCOM
HOOVER DONALD R SP4 ARCOM
HUGHES STEPHEN A SP4 ARCOM
HULL WILLIAM B SP4 ARCOM
IDOL HERBERT W SSG BS-S
JACKSON DALE SP5 ARCOM
JAWALKA ROBERT M PFC ARCOM
JENNINGS DONALD V SFC BS-S
JOHNSTON BOBBY G SP4 ARCOM
JOHNSON JAMES W SSG BS-S
JORDAN CHARLES P SFC BS-S
KEITH THOMAS A SP4 ARCOM
KILIAN BRUCE 1LT BS-S
KIMBALL BERNARD PFC ARCOM
KING LLOYD JR WO1 BS-S
KLINGMAN DALE H SP4 ARCOM
KNIGHT ODIOUS O 1LT BS-S
KOONCE CURTIS L SP4 ARCOM
KOSTYK MICHAEL S SP5 ARCOM
KUPCHO THOMAS WO1 BS-S
KURUZAR MICHAEL E CPT BS-S
LAABS DAVID H SP4 ARCOM
LAMBERT HAROLD SP4 ARCOM
LANGHAMMER HANS CPT BS-S
LAVERY MICHAEL A SP4 ARCOM
LAWLER DAVID W PFC ARCOM
LINENSCHMIDT CHARLES SP4 ARCOM
LISIEWSKI STANLEY SP5 ARCOM
LOPEZ FIDENCIO SP4 ARCOM
MANTANONA FRANCISCO SP5 ARCOM
MARKSTEINER ROBERT N SP4 ARCOM
MASTELLER JOHN E SP4 ARCOM
MATHAIS JAMES SP5 ARCOM
MCCUTCHEON JACK E WO1 BS-S
MCCRARY THOMAS SP4 ARCOM
MCGRAW STEPHEN SP5 ARCOM
MEHRBRODT RICKY D SP4 ARCOM
MEIER TERRY A. SP5 ARCOM
MERRITT GARY R SP4 ARCOM
MESSA DAVID T 1LT BS-S
MILLER GARY M PFC ARCOM
MILLER JAMES G SP4 ARCOM
MOLLAUN BERNARD SP5 ARCOM
MONTOYA GUILLERMO SP5 ARCOM
MOORE DANIEL L SP5 ARCOM
MOSLEY JACKIE R SP4 ARCOM
NICHOLOSON LOUIS JR SP4 ARCOM
O'BRIEN WALTER L SP4 ARCOM
OLSSON ERIC D WO1 BS-S
ORAHOOD JAMES A CPT BS-S
OSMUNDSON DENNIS SP4 ARCOM
OWEN DEWAYNE J SP4 ARCOM
PANCAKE MICHAEL A WO1 BS-S
PARKER CHARLES CW2 BS-S
PATTON WILLIAM M SP4 ARCOM
PETH STEPHEN CPT BS-S
PITTS JESSE R. SP5 ARCOM
PLATT DANNY R WO1 BS-S
PORATH KEITH SP5 ARCOM
PORTER JOHNNIE L SP4 ARCOM
PREVOST CHARLES WO1 BS-S
PRICE MONTY MAJ BS-S
PRUITT ROBERT M SP4 ARCOM
PULE JOHN A SP5 ARCOM
QUASCHNICK DAN E SSG BS-S
QUIGLEY GREGORY A SP4 ARCOM
RAMNES HENRY JR SP4 ARCOM
REICHELT THEODORE J SFC BS-S
RICE WALTER E SP4 ARCOM
RIGGAL MILES A WO1 BS-S
ROGERS ROYAL P JR CPT BS-S
ROHRBACHER JIMMIE SP4 ARCOM
ROHWER TERRY A SP4 ARCOM
ROONEY MICHAEL T 1LT BS-S
ROSS JOHN W SP4 ARCOM
RYAN MICHAEL P WO1 BS-S
SANDERS DANNY L SP5 ARCOM
SCHWAB HERBERT G SP5 ARCOM
SEARCY WILLIE O SP4 ARCOM
SIMMONS GUY O SP4 ARCOM
SMITH JAMES L SFC BS-S
SMITH JEFFERY L SP4 ARCOM
SMITH STEPHEN P CW2 BS-S
STANKEWICZ HENRY SP4 ARCOM
STEWART LARRY PFC ARCOM
STEWART RICHARD L SSG BS-S
STROUD DAVID H SP4 ARCOM
SWAIN JAMES G CW2 BS-S
SWAN DANIEL G CW2 BS-S
TERRELL WILLIAM P SP4 ARCOM
THOMAS HOWARD R SP4 ARCOM
THOMPSON ALLAN SP5 ARCOM
THOMPSON CHARLES D SP5 ARCOM
TOWERS TYRONE L SP4 ARCOM
TUCKER JAMES R SP5 ARCOM
TURNBOW JAMES L SP6 BS-S
VALDEZ ROGER F SP5 ARCOM
VIERRA DAMIEN D SP5 ARCOM
WALDRIP JOHNNY SP5 ARCOM
WASNER HANS F SP4 ARCOM
WELLS WILLIAM M SP5 ARCOM
WENGREN JON C SP4 ARCOM
WEST JESSE R SP5 ARCOM
WIGGINS HARRY L SSG ARCOM
WILSON DONALD W SFC BS-S
WINSOR MILTON G 1LT BS-S
YOUNG DOUGLAS A SP4 ARCOM
ZIEGLAR CHARLES R SP4 ARCOM
ANDERSON KENNETH D SP4 ARCOM
ANDERSON LARRY M SP4 ARCOM
BARRETT RALPH E SP4 ARCOM
BAUER MICHAEL SP4 ARCOM
BAXTER WILLIAM 1LT BS-S DFC
BECHTOL DAVID C SP4 ARCOM
BILLOPS ALLEN PV2 ARCOM
BORTNYK STEVE WO1 BS-S
BOWEN RICHARD SP4 ARCOM
BRIDGES JAMES SP5 ARCOM
BRIGGS JERRY W SP5 ARCOM
BRINSON CHRIS A CW2 ARCOM
BROCKS RICKY L SP4 ARCOM
BROWN WRITEFIELD SP4 ARCOM
BRUMMETT ALVINL SP4 ARCOM
BRYANT PAUL M SP4 ARCOM
BRYANT TEDDY SP5 ARCOM
BUSBY BERNARD H CW2 BS-S
BYRDSONG WILLIE SP4 ARCOM
CARMICHAEL PAUL D 1LT BS-S
CHAMBERS EDWARD S JR CPT BS-S
CHRISWELL MICHAEL D SP4 ARCOM
CLAPPER JOHN W JR CPT BS-S
CLARK CHARLES R PFC ARCOM
CLOVER RICHARD CW2 BS-S DFC
COHEN HENRY SP4 ARCOM
COOPER SAMUEL SP5 ARCOM
COTTON JAMES PFC ARCOM
CRAIG ROBERT G SP4 ARCOM
CURRY RIGINALD C SP4 ARCOM
DANIEL LUTHER SFC BS-S
DARNY BRUCE SP4 ARCOM
DAVIDSON WALTER SP5 ARCOM
DAVIS DAVID L SP4 ARCOM
DEAN ROBERT H 1LT BS-S
DIAZ ROBERTO E III SP4 ARCOM
DOZIER RUSSELL G. SP5 ARCOM
DRENCKPOHL DARRELL J SSG BS-S
DRODDY GROVER SFC BS-S
DUBAR EARN R. SP5 ARCOM
EDWARDS JULIUS C SSG BS-S
EIDEN STEVE L PFC ARCOM
ENGRO DEWEY SP5 ARCOM
EZELL MARSHALL 1LT BS-S
FAHEY PAUL JOSEPH SP4 ARCOM
FARMER JOHN H CW2 BS-S
FERNSTROM CARL SP5 ARCOM
FORD ALVIN J SSG BS-S
FRAINE CARL K PFC ARCOM
GIEBNER ROBERT CW2 BS-S
GONZALES JOHNNY SP5 ARCOM
GOSS JON B SP4 ARCOM
GRAY RICHARD T SP4 ARCOM
GREGOR DALE SP4 ARCOM
GRIBLING GORDON G JR SP4 ARCOM
HALE JIMMY D SP5 ARCOM
HARVISON WILLIAM SP5 ARCOM
HAWKINS JUNIOR D SP5 ARCOM
HENDERSON THOMAS E PFC ARCOM
HEPLER EDWARD O. SP5 ARCOM
HICKMAN DANIEL L SP4 ARCOM
HILLEBERT TEDDY R SP4 ARCOM
HOLDEN LARRY J 1LT BS-S
HOPKINS ROBERT L SP4 ARCOM
HOOD DANNY W SP4 ARCOM
HOOVER DONALD R SP4 ARCOM
HUGHES STEPHEN A SP4 ARCOM
HULL WILLIAM B SP4 ARCOM
IDOL HERBERT W SSG BS-S
JACKSON DALE SP5 ARCOM
JAWALKA ROBERT M PFC ARCOM
JENNINGS DONALD V SFC BS-S
JOHNSTON BOBBY G SP4 ARCOM
JOHNSON JAMES W SSG BS-S
JORDAN CHARLES P SFC BS-S
KEITH THOMAS A SP4 ARCOM
KILIAN BRUCE 1LT BS-S
KIMBALL BERNARD PFC ARCOM
KING LLOYD JR WO1 BS-S
KLINGMAN DALE H SP4 ARCOM
KNIGHT ODIOUS O 1LT BS-S
KOONCE CURTIS L SP4 ARCOM
KOSTYK MICHAEL S SP5 ARCOM
KUPCHO THOMAS WO1 BS-S
KURUZAR MICHAEL E CPT BS-S
LAABS DAVID H SP4 ARCOM
LAMBERT HAROLD SP4 ARCOM
LANGHAMMER HANS CPT BS-S
LAVERY MICHAEL A SP4 ARCOM
LAWLER DAVID W PFC ARCOM
LINENSCHMIDT CHARLES SP4 ARCOM
LISIEWSKI STANLEY SP5 ARCOM
LOPEZ FIDENCIO SP4 ARCOM
MANTANONA FRANCISCO SP5 ARCOM
MARKSTEINER ROBERT N SP4 ARCOM
MASTELLER JOHN E SP4 ARCOM
MATHAIS JAMES SP5 ARCOM
MCCUTCHEON JACK E WO1 BS-S
MCCRARY THOMAS SP4 ARCOM
MCGRAW STEPHEN SP5 ARCOM
MEHRBRODT RICKY D SP4 ARCOM
MEIER TERRY A. SP5 ARCOM
MERRITT GARY R SP4 ARCOM
MESSA DAVID T 1LT BS-S
MILLER GARY M PFC ARCOM
MILLER JAMES G SP4 ARCOM
MOLLAUN BERNARD SP5 ARCOM
MONTOYA GUILLERMO SP5 ARCOM
MOORE DANIEL L SP5 ARCOM
MOSLEY JACKIE R SP4 ARCOM
NICHOLOSON LOUIS JR SP4 ARCOM
O'BRIEN WALTER L SP4 ARCOM
OLSSON ERIC D WO1 BS-S
ORAHOOD JAMES A CPT BS-S
OSMUNDSON DENNIS SP4 ARCOM
OWEN DEWAYNE J SP4 ARCOM
PANCAKE MICHAEL A WO1 BS-S
PARKER CHARLES CW2 BS-S
PATTON WILLIAM M SP4 ARCOM
PETH STEPHEN CPT BS-S
PITTS JESSE R. SP5 ARCOM
PLATT DANNY R WO1 BS-S
PORATH KEITH SP5 ARCOM
PORTER JOHNNIE L SP4 ARCOM
PREVOST CHARLES WO1 BS-S
PRICE MONTY MAJ BS-S
PRUITT ROBERT M SP4 ARCOM
PULE JOHN A SP5 ARCOM
QUASCHNICK DAN E SSG BS-S
QUIGLEY GREGORY A SP4 ARCOM
RAMNES HENRY JR SP4 ARCOM
REICHELT THEODORE J SFC BS-S
RICE WALTER E SP4 ARCOM
RIGGAL MILES A WO1 BS-S
ROGERS ROYAL P JR CPT BS-S
ROHRBACHER JIMMIE SP4 ARCOM
ROHWER TERRY A SP4 ARCOM
ROONEY MICHAEL T 1LT BS-S
ROSS JOHN W SP4 ARCOM
RYAN MICHAEL P WO1 BS-S
SANDERS DANNY L SP5 ARCOM
SCHWAB HERBERT G SP5 ARCOM
SEARCY WILLIE O SP4 ARCOM
SIMMONS GUY O SP4 ARCOM
SMITH JAMES L SFC BS-S
SMITH JEFFERY L SP4 ARCOM
SMITH STEPHEN P CW2 BS-S
STANKEWICZ HENRY SP4 ARCOM
STEWART LARRY PFC ARCOM
STEWART RICHARD L SSG BS-S
STROUD DAVID H SP4 ARCOM
SWAIN JAMES G CW2 BS-S
SWAN DANIEL G CW2 BS-S
TERRELL WILLIAM P SP4 ARCOM
THOMAS HOWARD R SP4 ARCOM
THOMPSON ALLAN SP5 ARCOM
THOMPSON CHARLES D SP5 ARCOM
TOWERS TYRONE L SP4 ARCOM
TUCKER JAMES R SP5 ARCOM
TURNBOW JAMES L SP6 BS-S
VALDEZ ROGER F SP5 ARCOM
VIERRA DAMIEN D SP5 ARCOM
WALDRIP JOHNNY SP5 ARCOM
WASNER HANS F SP4 ARCOM
WELLS WILLIAM M SP5 ARCOM
WENGREN JON C SP4 ARCOM
WEST JESSE R SP5 ARCOM
WIGGINS HARRY L SSG ARCOM
WILSON DONALD W SFC BS-S
WINSOR MILTON G 1LT BS-S
YOUNG DOUGLAS A SP4 ARCOM
ZIEGLAR CHARLES R SP4 ARCOM

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