Executive Officer's Official Report
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Company B (Gen. Spt.) 101st Aviation Battalion
APO San Francisco 96383
SUBJECT: Aviation Aspect of Fire Team Mission
June 19, 1968
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
A review of all eyewitness statements reveals the following aviation aspects of the fire team mission in support of C/1/505 Infantry, 82nd Abn. Div., on the night of April 4, 1968.
1. The close proximity of C/1/505 Infantry to the enemy position would have indeed made the fire support mission an extremely difficult task during daylight hours. However, this mission was accomplished during extreme darkness, with very limited lighting to identify friendly elements. During the gun-runs, enemy fire was suppressed, with no friendly troops being injured by the gunship fire. The problem was further complicated by the fact that the fire team leader not only had to identify the enemy and friendly positions but also had to brief and direct the fires of eleven other members of the fire team.
2. Weather reports verify that the mission was performed in weather conditions that were far below those accepted by aviation personnel as combat essential weather minimums.
3. Either one of the above-mentioned conditions would have given the fire team leader ample justification to refuse to accept the mission for safety reasons alone.
4. The statements also indicate that the fire team leader exhibited a high degree of professionalism and understanding, being able to fully understand the tactical situation and coordinate with the ground commander[s] with minimum visual aids and directing the fire of all three ships, providing the much-needed air support without endangering the lives of the friendly forces.
5. The door gunners of the fire team displayed the highest degree of professionalism in being able to suppress the enemy fire that caused extensive damage to the medevac helicopter and nearly cost the lives of the crew. The heavy enemy fire received by both medevac helicopters clearly illustrates the close proximity of the enemy to the friendly position.
6. The fireteam leader, although fully aware of his responsibility for the safety of his crew and aircraft, landed his aircraft in a hot, unprepared area, without lighting and while under heavy enemy fire, in order to evacuate the seriously wounded personnel. The task was completely voluntary and far above and beyond the call of duty. The helicopter gunship [UH-1C] is designed to carry a maximum crew of four due to its critical weight limitations and relatively low power as compared to a medevac helicopter. The gunship, in addition to the crew of four, carried five critically wounded personnel out of that area on two occasions, which placed the aircraft in an extremely overloaded condition. This flight would have taken an exceptional degree of knowledge and professionalism, even under the most favorable flight conditions during daylight hours.
Vietnam, 1968; Cpt. Fry (Black Angel 6), B Company, 101st Aviation Battalion, outside a helicopter gunship (UH-1C), arm resting on the door gun mount.
Medevac (Dust-Off) Helicopter, photo from the cover of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) Aviator Magazine, Issue 37-06, November/December, 2018
Vietnam 1967: 1/Lt. Fry (Lancer 3), 17th Assault Helicopter Company (Kingsmen) gunship platoon, standing outside the cargo compartment of a helicopter gunship (UH-1C).
7. The crew further endangered their lives by surrendering all of their machine gun ammunition to the infantry personnel, who were running low on ammunition, thereby limiting their own ability to return fire while evacuating the wounded.
8. The pilots exhibited a high degree of professional flying ability by using an extremely difficult means of navigation while low level at night en route to the hospital area, necessitated by extremely poor weather.
9. Any number of existing circumstances on that night would have given the fire team leader complete justification for refusing any portion of the mission. The successful completion of a mission of this nature, under the existing conditions that night, would appear to be almost impossible. Indeed, the entire crew exemplified an exceptional degree of courage and professionalism and performed duties far above and beyond the call of duty.
Submitted by:
Francis Gniazdowski
Cpt., TC
Executive Officer