Helicopter UH-1D 66-00870
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-00870
The Army purchased this helicopter 1066
Total flight hours at this point: 00001050
Date: 02/08/1968
Accident case number: 680208132
Unit: 129 AHC
The station for this helicopter was An Son in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 1 . . Passengers = 0
costing 0
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.
Crew Members:
AC O4 CROUCH CS
P O3 GROOVER WM
G E4 NITZ KM
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-00870
The Army purchased this helicopter 1066
Total flight hours at this point: 00002229
Date: 04/27/1970
Incident number: 70042777.KIA
Unit: 281 AHC
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: BR064327
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Also: OPERA (Operations Report. )
Loss to Inventory
Crew Members:
P CW2 GARDNER ROBERT WAYNE KIA
P WO1 MILLER STANLEY JOSEPH JR KIA
CE SP5 TOM GEORGE WILLIAM KIA
G SP4 FIELDS GARY RES
Passengers:
LTC MCKAY GERALD EUGENE, AR, PX, KIA;
MAJ RUSS JAMES ALVIN, AR, PX, KIA;
CSM PALMER JAMES HESTER, AR, PX, KIA;
CPT GRAY ROY VIRGIL, AR, PX, KIA;
CPT FISHER CARL NELSON JR, AR, OB, KIA;
War Story:
On April 27, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D (tail number 66-00870) from the 281st Assault Helicopter Company, 1st Aviation Brigade, was flying a Command & Control mission for the 4th Infantry Division in the An Khe Pass with five passengers on board the aircraft when it was shot down near Pleiku, RVN. The only surviving crew member, SP4 Gary Fields, was the gunner for the mission. SP4 Fields remembers flying up the pass when the aircraft became targeted by .50 caliber fire from both sides. The pilot, CW2 Robert W. Gardner, took the brunt of the fire and slumped over the controls as the aircraft nosed over and out of control. When SP4 Fields realized that the aircraft was going to crash, he jumped from the ship and fell approximately 200 feet, landing in a rice paddy. SP4 Fields suffered multiple injuries as a result of the fall, and is still disabled later in life. He was the only survivor because he jumped from the helicopter as it crashed in front of the lead ship in a combat aviation assault. The other crewmen included co-pilot WO1 Stanley J. Miller Jr. and crew chief SP5 George W. Tom. The passengers were LTC Gerald E. McKay, MAJ James A. Russ, SMAJ James H. Palmer, CAPT Roy V. Gray, and CAPT Carl N. Fisher Jr. [Taken from 281stash.org]
This record was last updated on 08/19/2015
The following is crew member information for this incident:
Name: CPT Carl Nelson Fisher, Jr.
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 04/27/1970 while performing the duty of Aerial Observer.
Age at death: 31.5
Date of Birth: 10/21/1938
Home City: Tilden, NE
Service: FA branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: B/6/29 INF 4 DIV
Major organization: 4th Infantry Division
Service: FA branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 11W-057
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00870
SSN: 392366858
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 1193 = 11 Field Artillery Unit Commander
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 12/14/1969
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 14
Location: Pleiku Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Protestant - no denominational preference
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: officer
This record was last updated on 01/05/1994
Name: CPT Roy Virgil Gray
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 04/27/1970 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Age at death: 29.0
Date of Birth: 04/13/1941
Home City: Milan, MO
Service: FA branch of the regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: B/6/29 INF 4 DIV
Major organization: 4th Infantry Division
Service: FA branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 11W-058
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00870
SSN: 498421608
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 2162 = 21 Operations & Training Staff Officer (G3, S3)
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 08/23/1969
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 04
Location: Pleiku Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: officer
This record was last updated on 07/31/1996
Name: LTC Gerald Eugene Mc Kay
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 04/27/1970 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Age at death: 36.7
Date of Birth: 08/13/1933
Home City: Grayslake, IL
Service: IN branch of the regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: HHC 3/12 INF 4 DIV
Major organization: 4th Infantry Division
Service: IN branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 11W-059
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00870
SSN: 332285807
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 1542 = 15 Infantry Unit Commander
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 01/19/1970
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 14
Location: Pleiku Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Protestant - no denominational preference
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: officer
This record was last updated on 07/31/1996
Name: CSM James Hester Palmer
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 04/27/1970 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Age at death: 40.0
Date of Birth: 04/30/1930
Home City: Meridian, MS
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: HHC 3/12 INF 4 DIV
Major organization: 4th Infantry Division
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 11W-060
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00870
SSN: 427521000
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 00Z50 = Command Sergeant Major
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 08/25/1969
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
The initial status of this person was: no previous report
Length of service: 20
Location: Pleiku Province II Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: U
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Presbyterian
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 07/31/1996
Name: MAJ James Alvin Russ
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 04/27/1970 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Age at death: 29.8
Date of Birth: 07/17/1940
Home City: Panama City, FL
Service: IN branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: HHC 3/12 INF 4 DIV
Major organization: 4th Infantry Division
Service: IN branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 11W-061
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00870
SSN: 424541268
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 2162 = 21 Operations & Training Staff Officer (G3, S3)
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 07/09/1969
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 06
Location: Pleiku Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Negro
Relgion: Baptist - other groups
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: officer
This record was last updated on 07/31/1996
Name: SP5 George William Tom
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 04/27/1970 while performing the duty of Crew Chief.
Age at death: 23.3
Date of Birth: 01/02/1947
Home City: Stanton, TX
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 281 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 11W-061
Short Summary: Shot down by small arms fire near Tuy Hoa on recon looking for AA gun site with Robert W. Gardner, AC.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00870
SSN: 464828183
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67N2F = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: crew chief
Started Tour: 07/05/1968
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 02
Location: Pleiku Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 08/20/1995
Name: CW2 Robert Wayne Gardner
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 04/27/1970 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 22.9
Date of Birth: 06/02/1947
Home City: Wheaton, MD
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 281 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 68-521/68-39
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 11W-058
Short Summary: Shot down by small arms fire while on recon for AA gun site near Tuy Hoa with Stan Miller. Gardner was 281 AHC IP.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00870
SSN: 219483080 Service number: W3162541
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 100E = Attack Helicopter Pilot
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: pilot
Started Tour: 02/18/1970
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - pilot
Length of service: 02
Location: Pleiku Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Presbyterian
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 02/21/1994
Name: WO1 Stanley Joseph Miller, Jr.
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 04/27/1970 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 20.6
Date of Birth: 09/26/1949
Home City: Elizabeth, NJ
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 281 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 69-25/69-11
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 11W-059
Short Summary: Shot down by small arms fire near Tuy Hoa on recon looking for AA gun site with Robert W. Gardner, AC.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00870
SSN: 152401127
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 100B = Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: co-pilot
Started Tour: 01/14/1970
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Location: Pleiku Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 02/21/1994
The following is Goldbook
information on US Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-00870
It is provided here as an ESTIMATE of the history of this helicopter
and is not intended to be the final authority.
This helicopter was purchased by the US Army in 1066.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.
DATE FLT HRS UIC UNIT AREA POST COUNTRY
196610 0 0 W0MHAA DIROF SUP TRAN 6TH ARMY SHARPE GD SUPMACOM
196611 0 0 W0MHAA DIROF SUP TRAN 6TH ARMY SHARPE GD SUPMACOM
196612 0 0 W0MHAA DIROF SUP TRAN 6TH ARMY SHARPE GD SUPMACOM
196701 20 20 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196702 92 112 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196703 67 179 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196704 86 265 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196705 87 352 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196706 106 458 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196707 90 548 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196708 101 649 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196709 70 719 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196710 74 793 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196711 79 872 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196712 92 964 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196801 86 1050 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196802 0 1050 WCLNAA 79 TRANS CO VIETNAM RVN
196803 0 1050 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM
196804 0 1050 8005 BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM
196805 0 1050 8005 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY
196806 0 1050 8005 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY
196807 0 1050 8005 OPM SEA NITEOPS 1ST ARMY FORT BELVOIR AMC
196808 0 1050 8005 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC
196809 0 1050 8005 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC
196810 0 1050 8005 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC
196811 0 1050 8005 POST SUPPLY 6TH ARMY FORT ORD 6TH ARMY
196812 0 1050 8005 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC
196901 0 1050 8005 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC
196902 0 1050 3300 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC
196903 107 1157 WFJFAA 281 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196904 83 1240 WFJFAA 281 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196905 54 1294 WFJFAA 281 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196906 127 1421 WFJFAA 281 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196907 101 1522 WFJFAA 281 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196908 73 1595 WFJFAA 281 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196909 80 1675 WFJFAA 281 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196910 80 1755 WFJFAA 281 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196911 72 1827 WFJFAA 281 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
196912 53 1880 WFJFAA 281 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
197001 47 1927 WFJFAA 281 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
197002 111 2038 WFJFAA 281 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
197003 153 2191 WFJFAA 281 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
197004 38 2229 WC5EAA 608 TRANS CO VIETNAM RVN
197005 0 2229 WC5EAA 608 TRANS CO VIETNAM RVN
Please send additions or corrections to:
Gary Roush
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Printed from databases on:
12/16/2016
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