"A MAN IS NOT DEAD UNTIL HE IS FORGOTTEN"
J
WILLIAM “BILL” JAMES
Died after his tour on August 24, 2012
Bill was a Rat Pack pilot
with the 281st AHC (Rat Pack 11) from January 1, 1970 until December
31,
1970.
He graduated from Flight School with class 69-37.
Bill passed away on 24
August 2012 after a long battle with cancer brought on by Agent Orange
exposure in Vietnam. Bill retired from the US Army in 1986 as a
Chief Warrant Officer 3. Following his army career he flew for Life flight
in Indiana then flew offshore with Air Logistics in Louisiana. He them
became an ROTC instructor and opened a gun store with a five star rated
indoor range in Texas.
Bill is survived by Mary,
his wife of forty-four years, two sons, two daughters and two grandchildren.
RONALD "RON" K. JAVINS
Died after his tour on June 18, 2008
Ron served with the 281st AHC as an avionics technician from 3-70 until 12-70. Following his service he returned to Louisville Kentucky where he raised his family and was a successful business man. In mid-life he was involved in an automobile accident and as a result of his injuries he required the use of a wheel chair for the remainder of his life. Ron was a strong supporter of the 281st AHC association and an active participate in each annual reunion. Rons death on 18 June 2008 was due to natural causes. He is survived by his wife Madeline.
ROBERT A. JOHNSON
24 September 1934 - 22 June 2004
Bob Johnson is shown on the far left of this picture
Robert A. Johnson was born on September 24, 1934 and
died in Livingston, Louisiana on June 22, 2004. Robert served in the 145th Air Lift
platoon as a WO Aviator supporting Project Delta in 1965 and 1966. For his
service he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal With
"V" for Valor.
"I found the 281st website while I was researching my
Uncles' tour in Vietnam. His name is WO1 Robert A. Johnson. He passed away in
June of 2004 at 70 yrs. I have him as a member of the 145th airlift platoon in
Jan. 1966. Believe his tour started last half of 1965 thru last half of 1966.
What I have is 2 awards orders, one for a Air medal W/V (Tenth OLC) for the 28th
of Jan 1966 and a Distinguished Flying Cross for 29 Jan 1966. These were awarded
for support of Project Delta during Operation Masher. Your Morning report has
him listed as unknown with no unit, thought you would like to know. I am a 26
year veteran in Army Aviation, started on the UH-1H then AH-1E The AH64A and now
work on AH64Ds. I have attached a photo I found on this website he is the one on
the far left side."
1SG Christopher M. Johnson
8-229th Aviation
Regiment
"Flying Tigers"
Ft. Knox, Ky.
chris.johnson2@usar.army.mil
(502) 624-3688
JODIE M. JOINER
March 24, 1949 - September 19, 2020
Jodie M. Joiner, (USAR) age 71, of Lyons, died Wednesday, September 16, 2020, in Meadows Health in Vidalia after a brief illness. He was a native of Toombs County and was a 1967 graduate of Reidsville High School. After high school, he entered the U.S. Army, served one tour of the Vietnam War and retired after twenty years as a Master Sergeant. After his military service, he worked in security at Edwin I. Hatch Plant and retired after twenty years. Jodie enjoyed the outdoors and was a beekeeper. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gainer Joiner and Nelle Thompson Joiner.
Mr. Joiner is survived by his wife, Pamela W. Joiner of Lyons; two sons, Michael Joiner and wife Tami of Hixson, Tennessee, and Alan Joiner and wife Judy of Chattanooga, Tennessee; one sister, Jo Gay of the New Branch Community; one brother, Eddie Joiner and wife Laura of Macon; four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and a special remembrance to Nicole and Megan.
The family will have a memorial service at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Vietnam Veterans of America
Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home and findagrave dotcom
SP4 JOHN E. JONES, Jr.
January 13, 1948 - June 12, 2017
Jonesy during one of his four tours.
John E. Jones, known to us as “Jonesy,” deployed to Vietnam in November 1967 with the 61st AHC.
John, along with several other individuals, was transferred to the 281st AHC in December of 1967, as part of the infusion process.
John was a school trained UH1 Crew Chief, and in the 281st he was initially assigned to the Rat Pack as a “Huey” Crew Chief.
He subsequently transferred to the Wolf Pack platoon where he crewed an armed helicopter gunship.
John transferred to the 192nd AHC in the late summer of 1968. While assigned to the 281st AHC, Specialist John E. Jones was awarded the
Air Medal with “V” for valor device for protecting his fellow crew members in a combat action involving a hostile force.
Jones was recognized as a good Crew Chief and was always there to support his fellow Intruders.
John shall be remembered by the Intruder family. His Obituary follows:
“John E. (Jack) Jones Jr., 69 years old, of Gloucester, passed away after a 2 year courageous battle with lung cancer.
He was born January 13, 1948, to the late John E. Jones Sr. and Caroline (Jones) Brennan.
He served 4 tours in Vietnam as part of the first air Calvary 194th armored brigade, between 1966 through 1972.
He flew medivac choppers and saved many lives. He was awarded the air medal for meritorious achievement.
From a very young age, Jack fished the ocean, beginning as a child, fishing with his grandfather and father, to adulthood,
where he fished on various boats from North Carolina to New Hampshire. He loved the ocean so very much that it was hard for him to be on land for too long.
He was an active part of bringing the Vietnam wall to Gloucester in 2015. Jack was a kind and gentle man who helped everyone without being asked. He had a great sense of humor. He loved kids. He always played with and interacted and was there for all kids he knew over the years. He had a lot of friends and will be missed. He is in pain no more and he is at peace.
He is survived by his stepfather, Robert Brennan of Gloucester; seven brothers, and four sisters, as well as many nieces, and nephews.”
In memory of SP4 John E. Jones, Jr.:
We were operating out of the DELTA Forward Operating Base (FOB) at PHU Bi, during April-May 1968. I recall an insertion attempt of a DELTA recon team just before sunset. I do not recall the date. Sp4 Jones was our crew chief/gunner, I do not recall the other crew members. The insertion site was located on the side of a hill covered with tall elephant grass. While at a hover the team began to exit the aircraft via the right side. Two NVA soldiers with AK47s located about 5 meters to the left of the aircraft nose appeared. I distracted the two NVA with the main rotor. Sp4. Jones could not traverse his M60 enough to engage the enemy. However. he immediately engaged the enemy soldiers with his M14 and eliminated the threat. The recon team re-entered the aircraft and we aborted the insertion. We also did not use the alternate insertion site because the area was saturated with NVA. With the obvious intel collected we returned to the FOB. Sp4 Jones saved the day!
Gone but not forgotten! It was truly an honor to serve with these dedicated soldiers.
--Don Torrini, WO-2 Aircraft Commander
Note: For His actions under fire, Sp4 John E. Jones, Jr. was awarded the Air Medal with (For Valor) Device.
SFC RUDOLPH JONES
October 2, 1927 - November 1979
Rudolph Jones died in November 1979. Born October 2,
1927, Rudolph Jones was 52 years old.
The last known place of residence for
Rudolph Jones was Pikeville, NC.
Source: Gary Stagman and Social Security Administration
LTC ALLEN L. "AL" JUNKO
Third Commander of the 281st AHC
December 18, 1930 - August 7, 2015
Major Allen Junko was the third commander of the 281st AHC, (Jan. 1967- Aug. 1967). Allen was killed in an automobile accident on August 7, 2015 at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Patsye Junko, of Huntsville. AL, and a daughter, Lori Monia (Greg) of Paris, Michigan. On the night before Al was to assume command of the 281st, the North Vietnamese Army gave him a welcoming ceremony by having sappers enter the compound and using satchel charges they destroyed a large number of the units helicopters. After retiring from the Army, Al spent several years with General Motors then relocated to Huntsville, Alabama where he lived at the time of his death. Major Junko contributed significantly to the success of the 281st and he shall be remembered by the Intruder family.
MAJ DONALD GEORGE "ZORRO" JUTZ
June 10, 1930 - July 25, 2018
Don served in the 281Assault Helicopter Company, the U.S. Army’s first Special Operations
Helicopter Company, from 11-66 to 9-67. Don served as the unit executive officer under two unit commanders. Don was an experienced combat leader and as such was highly respected by those who had the honor of serving with him. He as an active member of the Special Operations Association and the 281st AHC Association. Zorro shall be remembered by all who served with him.
His obituary follows:
“Zorro” found his peace on July 25, 2018, age 88. Loving brother of Robert (Clarice) and Patricia Burton. Preceded in death by his wife Betty, parents Herman Sr. and Elizabeth, brothers Gordon, Herman Jr. and sister Emily Benvenuto. Further loved by other relatives and friends throughout the world.
Committal Service with Military Honors at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 21731 Spring Street (Hwy C and Hwy 45), Union Grove on Thursday, August 2, 2018, 2:00 PM-2:30 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials appreciated to the charity of your choice.
Donald was an Army veteran of 21 years during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He served with the 82nd and 187th ABN RCT Divisions and a pilot with the 281 Assault Helicopter Company, a Green Beret, Special Forces and Special Operations. He was awarded the distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with V for Valor and numerous other awards during his military career. Donald had a guardian angel watching over him during his time in service. After retirement he became a flight dispatcher for American Airlines.
Suit bag indicates a DEROS goodby photo.
Unknown on right: a friend and satisfied customer.
Photo provided by J.Mayhew
Zorro with camera inspecting the holes I put in his rotor blades the night before when he earned a DFC ...
LT McMillan far left, Barc in tiger stripe shirt
- Brent Gourley
Rehab in PC Beach, February, 2016. L-R: Don, caregiver, Rachel Hood, sister-in-law
Clarice, Brother Bob. A shock to Rachel and I; she had been a court reporter in
Ozark where I frequently practiced law; and unbeknownst to me, the widow of Don's long-ago flight school stick-buddy and best friend. Don and I had to tell the story of a wild night in May of 1967, making two of the three landings to pick up two crews of our shot-down aircraft and the SF team. He flew the night
extraction, dodging F4s and Spooky's parachute flares. Thanks to Barc and the Wolf Pack shooting rockets under us as we climbed out with an SF hanging on the rope ladder.
Don and Brent Gourley.
Check out that pocket patch.