Brothers (& Sisters) Killed in Action in USMC Helicopters or while assigned to USMC Helicopter or Tiltrotor Squadrons
19680606-1HMM-165 Vietnam
Download PDFIncident Date 19680606-1 HMM-165 CH-46A 151940+ / YW-23 - Hostile Fire, Crash, Post-Crash Fire
Eberle, Ronald Earl Cpl Passenger HMM-165 D/1/7/1stMARDIV 1968-06-29 (vvm 54:015)
HMM-165 Command Chronology
HMM-165 Command Chronology: [many errors in this write-up]
"6 June 1968. The White Knights launched two divisions today in support of the Third Marine Amphibious Forces. Major D. SAYES [Maj. Sayes was my HAC on this mission] led his division to the North and proceeded to work in the Khe Sanh area. His wingman, 1/Lt. M. J. FRIEL, was shot down while attempting to lift troops from a landing zone where they had come under fire. 1/Lt. FRIEL, using his competent abilities, flew the aircraft to the ground and was able to exit the aircraft along with his co-pilot 1/Lt. T. C. MADDEN. All personnel escaped serious injury and were immediately picked up by the wingman [we actually picked up the last grunt, dropped him off at Vandergrift, fueled-up, and returned to Khe Sanh for the wounded]. The other division led by Capt. E. N. Maley went south to the Da Nang area. While flying cargo into the hills southwest of Da Nang in direct support of the 26th Marines, YW-23, piloted by Capt. C L. Weaver and 1/Lt. G. L. KAHLER, was observed to receive enemy fire and almost instantaneously catch fire. Despite having been hit in the leg by an enemy round and his aircraft burning and quickly becoming uncontrollable, Capt. WEAVER was able to get his aircraft low enough to the trees that when he crashed all personnel aboard were able to exit the aircraft. His wingman, in constant danger from enemy fire as well as the rounds set off in the burning aircraft, successfully hoisted the stricken aircraft's crew to safety to be med-evaced. The day's losses were 2 aircraft due to enemy ground fire with no loss of personnel. HMM-165 stands ready to do their mission against all odds with the professionalism and dedication exhibited by Capt. C. L. WEAVER, 1/Lt. G. L. KAHLER, 1/Lt. M. J. FRIEL, and 1/Lt. T. C. MADDEN. Their wingmen's actions are a tribute to the proud efforts and traditions of the professional White Knights of HMM-165.”
Personal Narrative
The same day [6 June 1968], HMM-165 lost another CH-46A [Capt. C L. Weaver and 1/Lt. G. L. KAHLER] down south and the crew also got banged up: crew/chief Connie Myers (cmcm@281.com) and S/Sgt. Miller were evaced to the states with critical burns. Connie mentioned that he believed that at least some of the grunts that went in on his bird were KIA.
Submitted by: Gary Zimmerman, HMM-165, 20060903