JOHN J

JOHN J. (JACK) CALLAGHAN
Wolf Pack Door Gunner, 1970. Crewed with CE, Dan Smith. SSAN: 174-38-5956, Date of Birth: 25 Apr 1949, Date of Death: 24 Aug 2002, SSAN Issued: Pennsylvania , Following Vietnam Jack worked as Correctional Officer in the PA prison system. He is survived by a daughter and his wife Kathy who resides at : 152 Wood Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 570-829-1041

Alan M. Carter
SSAN: 541-64-0803, Date of Birth: 16 Mar 1951
Date of Death: Jun 1976, SSAN Issued: Oregon
Crew chief with the "Rat-Pack” 70s. Reported to have been killed in an auto accident.

CW2 Thomas Carter

410-82-3718
DOD: August 1984. DOB 23 April 1950
Served as a WO with the Bandit Platoon (Bandit 22, affectionately known as “Mad Dog”) in 68-69. He later served in the Michigan National Guard. Thomas was killed in a Helicopter Accident while transporting seismographic equipment on a sling load when, on takeoff, the load caught in trees and brought the aircraft down. Tom's last address was 48224 Detroit, Wayne MI. He was interned at Houghton Lake, MI with full military honors and a fly-by conducted by the Michigan National Guard.

CW5 JAMES EMMONS CARY

James E. Cary was born in Richmond Virginia on June 26, 1946. Jim was the only son and oldest of two children born to James and Laura Cary. His father was a career officer and veteran aviator of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, who retired as a Colonel from the Air Force in 1966. Jim graduated from Pensacola High School, Pensacola, Florida in 1965. Following high school he attended Pensacola Junior College. After about two years of college Jim joined the Army on March 9, 1967. After completion of basic training at Ft. Polk, Louisiana, Jim requested and received orders for Ft. Wolters, Texas to begin primary helicopter training on May 29, 1967. Jim was a member of WORWAC class 67-25 and completed the advance phase of his training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama on April 8, 1968.

Warrant Officer Jim Cary after a month of leave arrived in the Republic of Vietnam on May 6, 1968 and was assigned to the 281^st AHC and eventually became a highly trained and skilled pilot with the 1^st platoon, Rat Pack.

On November 5, 1968 in support of Delta Project, Jim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic actions that day. Warrant Officer Cary distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as aircraft commander of a UH-1H helicopter during the extraction of a Special Forces reconnaissance patrol team in contact with enemy forces west of Da Nang. The primary pickup ship attempted to reach the landing zone, but was forced to abort because of highly accurate enemy fire. Tactical air strikes were then called in to suppress the enemy fire. Upon completion of the air strikes, Warrant Officer Cary spotted the team in a small opening between two ridgelines, descended to tree top level, and initiated a high speed, low-level approach towards the team. As he maneuvered, intensive enemy fire was directed at his ship. Despite hostile fire, dense vegetation, and poor visibility, he skillfully brought the aircraft to low hover over a pile of rocks, thereby enabling the team to safely board the aircraft. Warrant Officer Cary’s courage and sound judgment were the decisive factors in the success of the mission. His actions ere in keeping with highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Jim completed his Vietnam tour on April 28, 1969 and was reassigned to Fort Wolters, Texas as a tac officer at the primary helicopter school. On December 10, 1969, Jim accepted a direct appointment to First Lieutenant, Field Artillery. In early 1971 Jim completed the field artillery basic course and while in route to Vietnam, completed the cobra transition course. Jim’s second tour was from July 6, 1971 to July 7, 1972 with two units, B/4/77 ARA, 101^st Aviation

Battalion and the 334^th Aerial Weapons Company (Sabers).

When Jim returned to the states he was assigned to Fort Know, Kentucky with the 7^th Squadron, 1^st Cav. In 1973 the Army began a reduction in forces and Jim was honorable discharged and released to the Army Reserve on September 16, 1973.

After discharge Jim went into the automobile business in the Fort Knox area and it wasn’t until 1981 when Jim became friends with some National Guard pilots that he decided to join the Kentucky Army National Guard. At that time I was the company commander of the UH-1 lift company and was more than happy to have another 281^st pilot in the unit. Coming from the 281^st there was never any doubt about his flying skills.

DAT 9/5/93, Last known address, 231 N Suffolk AV. North Massapequa NY11758
Nick in the 281st and on Jan of 1987

Nick was born and raised in Astoria, Long Island City, New York in the borough of Queens. He was the son of Joseph and Tavia Clericuzio, both children of Italian immigrants. He also lived with his grandfather, who lived in the basement of their row house. He had only one sibling, Vera, who was my mother. She passed away last year due to lung cancer. He went to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and School (45th. Street, Astoria, NY, 11105, US).

Nick was a drummer, loved to fish and always took great care of his cars. In high school he formed a band and was the drummer. His favorite drummer was Gene Krupa. He loved music, especially Chicago, Santana, Rare Earth -- anything with great percussion. I will always remember his great sound system he purchased while in Viet Nam (Pioneer amp/receiver, Pioneer Reverb, Sansui reel to reel, and Akai tape deck, along with Pioneer speakers with real wood cabinets).

Both before and after the war, Nick worked for Consolidated Edison (Con Ed) in various positions leading up to a position as a supervisory manager. Nick got married to Violet Fasolino around 1973 or 1974 and they had two children, Tina and Nick. Nick passed away on 5 Sep 1993 due to a heart attack. He was buried in section 71 site 1511 Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, NY 1

Mark

Anthony (Tony) Colonna
Tony was a member of the 145th, 2/171 and 281 AHC died of a heart attack at the age of 52 in 1983. He joined the US Army in 1947 and flew as gunner on B-17 and B-29. Joined the Navy during the Korean War and flew recon missions. He joined the Army again in 1964 and came to Viet Nam as a door gunner in the 145th Avn Plt. Tony stayed with the unit when it changed to the 2/171 and while serving with the 2/171 he was shot down coming out of the Ash How Valley in April 1966. When the 2/171 was deactivated he was assigned to the 281st. . At the time of his death he was NCOIC of the Navel Reserve Unit in Ontario with two years go until retirement. His Wife lives in CA

JOHN M. CRAFT
Date of Birth: 21 Dec 1951, Date of Death: 01 Oct 1998
SSAN 347-42-2755, Issued: Illinois