Brothers (& Sisters) Killed in Action in USMC Helicopters or while assigned to USMC Helicopter or Tiltrotor Squadrons
19650606HMM-161 HMM-161 Vietnam
Download PDFIncident Date 19650606 HMM-161 UH-34D 148791+ - HMM-161 UH-34D 148820+ - Mid-air Collision
McNally, Paul Francis Capt Pilot HMM-161 MAG-16 1965-06-06 (vvm 02E:001)
Hertz, Allen Conrad 1stLT Co-Pilot HMM-161 MAG-16 1965-06-06 (vvm 01E:132)
Wilson, Frank Willard Cpl Crew Chief HMM-161 MAG-16 1965-06-06 (vvm 02E:001)
McBee, Carl Edward LCpl Crew HMM-161 MAG-16 1965-06-06 (vvm 01E:132)
McKay, Gerald Otto 1stLT Pilot HMM-161 MAG-16 1965-06-06 (vvm 01E:132)
Doeden, Nicolaus August 1stLT Co-Pilot HMM-161 MAG-16 1965-06-06 (vvm 01E:132)
Tracy, Gary Dale Cpl Crew HMM-161 MAG-16 1965-06-06 (vvm 02E:001)
Foster, Curtis Lamarr PFC Crew HMM-161 MAG-16 1965-06-06 (vvm 01E:132)
HMM-161 Command Chronology
HMM-161 Command Chronology - 30 June 1965:
“6 June 1965 – Continued normal RLT-4 support. Two squadron aircraft and crews were lost in an aircraft accident, which occurred at 0510H [5:10 AM]. Launched from LPH-2 for a pre-dawn SAR [search and rescue] mission, the two helicopters apparently collided in mid-air and fell to the sea. The accident claimed the lives of eight squadron members: Capt. P.F. McNally, 1stLt. A.C. Hertz, 1stLt. G.O. McKay, 1stLt. N.A. Doeden, Cpl. F.W. Wilson, Cpl. G.D. Tracy, LCpl. C.B. McBee, and PFC C.L. Foster. May their souls rest in peace.”
Official Narrative - Report of Casualty
From the official “Official Report of Casualty” prepared 10Jun65, Department of the Navy:
Cpl. Frank W. Wilson “Died 6Jun65 near Chu Lai Republic of Vietnam result of injuries received when the helicopter in which he was crew chief collided with another helicopter shortly after take off from the USS IWO JIMA and crashed into the sea.”
US MARINES IN VIETNAM
Corporal Frank W. Wilson was involved in the preparation for the initial invasion of South Vietnam by the USMCR as a crew chief of a UH-34D (Sea Horse). Prior to the landing, his squadron was a part of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (3rd MEB) assembled in Okinawa. The amphibious flagship was the USS ESTES. HMM-161 boarded the USS PRINCETON in Okinawa.
"HMM-161 supported RLT-4 from the USS PRINCETON until 7 May 1965. On May 7th 1965, at 0800, the squadron flew two companies of troops from the USS PRINCETON (LPH-5) (Cos. A and B, 1st Battalion/ 4th Marines) to Landing Zone ROBIN after Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/4 – Cos. C and D and BLT 2/4 began an amphibious landing over Red Beach near Chu Lai. This was the initial landing of Regimental Landing Team 4 (RLT-4) to establish the airfield at Chu Lai. On that day, the Navy changed amphibious assault ships (LPH's) substituting the IWO JIMA (LPH-2) for the USS PRINCETON. Lt.Col. Gene W. Morrison's squadron (HMM-161) moved to the USS IWO JIMA, which remained positioned off of the Chu Lai coast until 7 June 1965. During that period, the squadron provided helicopter support for Col. Dupras' Marines (RLT-4) in the form of resupply and medevac.
Capt Paul Francis McNally
http://www.popasmoke.com/visions/image.php?source=682
1stLt Gerald O. McKay, HMM-161
1stLt Allen Conrad Hertz, HMM-161
1stLt Nicolaus A. Doeden
Submitted by: POPASMOKE Admin, 20050206
1stLt Allen Conrad Hertz, HMM-161
Submitted by: POPASMOKE Admin, 20050207
LCpl Carl Edward McBee
