SGT Patrick Ronan, a 20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male from PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA joined the 281st. AHC on September 12, 1967 as a UH-1 Helicopter Crew Chief. On 18 February 1969, the crew of his helicopter UH-1H 715 were performing a recovery mission for a Long Range Recon Team from the 173rd. Infantry Brigade in a hostile area in the vicinity of PHU YEN, South Vietnam, approximately 25 miles southwest of Tuy Hoa Air Base. The crew of 715 consisted of WO Vick Rose, Aircraft Commander; WO Frank Martin, Pilot; SGT Ronan, Crew Chief and an unidentified Door Gunner. The crew maneuvered the helicopter over the pickup point and were preparing to recover the recon team when the aircraft engine failed. WO Rose maneuvered the helicopter away from the ground troops and crash landed it in the vicinity of the pickup point. SGT Patrick Ronan was killed in the crash and the remaining crew members were seriously injured. Recovery assistance was requested and A USAF CH-43 of the 38th ARRS (USAF) reached the scene and lowered Sergeant Michael E. Fish and a firefighter to the ground. Despite intermittently heavy enemy fire and pressure, three of the trapped crew members were freed after considerable effort on the part of the rescue team and hoisted aboard the CH-43 just before darkness fell. WO Rose and the Door Gunner sustained major injuries and were medical evacuated.

The pilot of 715, WO Frank Martin, was trapped in the wreckage and could not be freed. With night approaching and WO Martin still trapped in the wreckage, the rescue aircraft was forced to leave the area. Sergeant Fish and the Recon Team, despite being low on ammunition and claymore mines, remained on the ground with WO Martin overnight. Covering fire was provided into the night by supporting gun ships and "spooky" aircraft along with the remaining 281st helicopter which continued to fly covering support until past midnight. Early the next morning the recovery task force returned and continued to encounter small arms fire. However, thy were able to free WO Martin and both he and SGT Fish were evacuated from the area. For his actions SGT Fish was awarded the Air Force Cross.

SP4 Patrick Ronan was promoted posthumously to grade of SGT E-5, AUS, as of 17 February 1969, under provisions of PL 680, 77th Congress, as amended. He was a Roman Catholic and his name is inscribed on the Vietnam Memorial wall on panel 32W-line 56.

Patrick's body was escorted home by his friend and fellow Philadelphian,
Mark Deitz, CE

Mark Deitz

A MAN IS NOT DEAD UNTIL HE IS FORGOTTEN