Posted on Feb 3, 2017

First U.S. helicopter is shot down in Vietnam. - Feb 04, 1962 - HISTORY.com

1.44K

46

13

14

0

The first U.S. helicopter is shot down in Vietnam. It was one of 15 helicopters ferrying South Vietnamese Army troops into battle near the village of Hong My in the Mekong Delta.

The first U.S. helicopter unit had arrived in South Vietnam aboard the ferry carrier USNS Core on December 11, 1961. This contingent included 33 Vertol H-21C Shawnee helicopters and 400 air and ground crewmen to operate and maintain them. Their assignment was to airlift South Vietnamese Army troops into combat.

@ SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas Capt Christopher MuellerCOL Mikel J. Burroughs Sgt Joe LaBranche SSgt (Join to see)Capt Seid WaddellSrA Christopher Wright LTC Stephen F.PO2 Ed C. SFC(P) Hercules Lobo MSG Tom EarleyPVT James Strait Alan K. PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SGT John " Mac " McConnell SSG Leo Bell SFC William Farrell LTC (Join to see) SPC Britanny *Winnie* Balthaser Maj Kim Patterson

Posted in these groups: Vietnam service ribbon

Military History American history logo

Posted 8 y ago

Responses: 6

5

0

Edited 8 y ago

Posted 8 y ago

Thanks for reminding us SP5 Mark Kuzinski that the U.S. helicopter was shot down in Vietnam on Feb 04, 1962 as it was ferrying South Vietnamese Army troops into battle near the village of Hong My in the Mekong Delta. This occurred within 3 months as the first U.S. helicopter unit had arrived in South Vietnam aboard the ferry carrier USNS Core on December 11, 1961.
When I see posts about helicopters in Vietnam it reminds of Sgt Keith Bodine who left RallyPoint last month.LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Capt Christopher Mueller Capt Seid Waddell CW5 (Join to see) SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see)] SGT John " Mac " McConnell SGT Robert George SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright SP5 Robert Ruck SPC Tarrence Molendyk CPT (Join to see)SCPO Morris Ramsey CPL Eric Escasio Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM

(5)

Comment

(0)