Brothers (& Sisters) Killed in Action in USMC Helicopters or while assigned to USMC Helicopter or Tiltrotor Squadrons
19830327HMH-362 USMC RESERVE INCIDENT/ACCIDENTS
Download PDFIncident Date 19830327 HMH-362 CH-53D - BuNo 157152 / YL-13 - - Crash enroute Twenty-Nine Palms for combined arms exercise
Cobb, Christopher A. Cpl Crew HMH-362 MAG-16/MCAS New River 1983-03-27
Powell, Kenneth H. Sgt Crew HMH-362 MAG-16/MCAS New River 1983-03-27
Machalk, David E. LCpl Crew HMH-362 MAG-16/MCAS New River 1983-03-27
Haliburton, Richard A. Sgt Crew HMH-362 MAG-16/MCAS New River 1983-03-27
Friedrich, Paul D. LT Co-Pilot HMH-362 MAG-16/MCAS New River 1983-03-27
Davis, Hartley R. Maj Pilot HMH-362 MAG-16/MCAS New River 1983-03-27
News Article
San Simon, AZ
Marine Helicopter Crash, Mar 1983
MARINES DIE IN CHOPPER CRASH.
San Simon, Ariz. (AP) -- The Marine Corps has identified six Marines, including one from the Upper Peninsula, killed when their helicopter crashed near this southeastern Arizona community while on a flight from North Carolina to maneuvers in California.
A seventh Marine, identified Monday as 1st Lt. ANTHONY HERROD, 23, of Crownsville, Md., was hospitalized at St. Mary's Hospital in Tucson with severe burns.
The CH-53 helicopter from the Marine Corps Air Station in New River, N.C., crashed Sunday night en route to Yuma Marine Corps Air Station for an overnight stop, said Lt. Robert Ross, spokesman for the Yuma base.
Spokesmen at the North Carolina base identified the dead as:
Maj. HARTLEY R. DAVIS, 33, of Port Jefferson, N.Y.
1st Lt. PAUL D. FRIEDRICH, 26, of Richton Park, Ill.
Sgt. RICHARD A. HALIBURTON, 22, of Chaplin, Minn.
Lance Cpl. DAVID E. MACHALK, 22, of Daggett in Menominee County, Mich.
Sgt. KENNETH H. POWELL, JR., 25, of Howard City in Montcalm County, Mich.
Cpl. CHRISTOPHER A. COBB, 23, of Brooklyn, N.Y.
"There were seven persons on board and they were getting ready to participate in a combined arms exercise at the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center in Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif.," said public affairs officer Master Sgt. Gary Mosley.
The helicopter came down in rugged country some 12 miles east of here about 6 p.m. Sunday.
Ross said the helicopter crew had spent Saturday night in El Paso and had planned to spend Sunday night at the Yuma base.
He said the cause of the crash was under investigation. Marine spokesmen said it would be at least three or four days before the reason for the accident could be determined.
Submitted by: N/A, 20110802
Personal Recollection
I was a Sgt serving in the quality assurance dept, of HMH-362 when this crash happened. This CH-53D was from our squadron - 362, not 461. It would be great if you could correct this slight mistake.
Semper Fi!
Personal Recollection
The crash occurred on 27 March - not on the 29th. Burger - you are still sorely missed. Some of us still get together and talk about you and our antics. We still toast your memory - and it hurts to know you're gone - 30 years now... Sleep well my friend. -Smitty
Submitted by: Bob Smith, comrade-in-arms, 20130407Personal Recollection
LtCol Fine was the CO. LT Friedrich was the Copilot. He was a former grunt, enlisted.
HD, Lt Friedrich, Kenny Powell and I had just been testing my aircraft YL-10, BuNo 157741, before we deployed, but it had problems with the AFCS and we'd just changed the swash-plate, so I had YL-04 on that trip. They were behind the rest of us because of maintenance issues, I think with YL-07, and were supposed to catch up with us at Ft. Huachuca.
I still remember we were on the bus, and they said YL-13 was down; at first I thought broke down and wouldn't meet us there. Then something else was said. I remember how silent it was. Still think about these guys; have the handout from the memorial service somewhere, carried it with me for years.
Personal Recollection
I was part of this deployment. As an Avionics Tech, Ken Powell and I were two of the three Avionics Troubleshooters flying with the 8 aircraft cross country. 1st Lt Friedrich was the Avionics OIC, Maj Davis was our AMO. Someone had mentioned Col Fine; he was the CO at the time of the crash. I was part of the crew that returned to Wilcox AZ with Col Fine to recover the dash two aircraft that had maintenance issues at the helo pad at the hospital where they brought 1st Lt Herrod.
This was a tragic loss of life and really brought to light the inherent risks involved with Naval Aviation. I am not a superstitious person, but the mishap aircraft which had just recently returned from Depot Level ASPA prior to the deployment was number 13. I don't recall the BuNo. Unfortunately, after the crash, we had to participate in back to back CAX without our Squadron Mates and with heavy hearts.
Recollection
I was just looking this over and believe there are a couple of mistakes.
I was a SGT 6113 that worked on the flightline in HMH-362 with most of the guys that were killed. I was in HMH-362 from late 82' through late 85'. MAJ Davis was my Maint Officer.
I was deployed to Beirut at the time of this incident and this was several years ago. I am pretty sure though that HMH-362 was part of MAG-26, not MAG-16. I am also pretty sure that a 1st Lt named Fine was killed. I do not remember a Lt Friedrich.
I do not remember the A/C BUNO but the tail # was 13. Chris Cobb used to wear a skull with the # 13 sewed to his flight suit. # 13 was the 1st CH-53 I had ever flown on and Chris was the crew chief.
I hope this info is helpful.
Personal Comment
It has been 33 years since I lost my husband Chris Cobb, and he is still alive in all our hearts and memories. I still dream of him often, and he is as handsome as ever. Still in touch with his best friend, Bob Whitney, and just went to his daughter's wedding in Cleveland. Still in touch with Terri Coffman. Semper Fi my love!
Submitted by: Alison Cobb Ullrich, Widow, 20160802They say it’s a small world and I truly believe it is. I was a CH-46 crew chief Hmm-163 based in Tustin Ca 77-81. Recently I met a lovely lady from NY who happened to be related to former Marine Crew Chief Chris Cobb who was lost in a CH-53 Crash in AZ.
She asked me if anyone who knew him had any photos of him that they could send to me for her. Her name is Sharon Cobb and Chris was very dear to her. So if anyone has some pics of him I would appreciate it if you sent them to me at Copterdoc458@ aol.com
Thank You
Semper Fi
I was the maint. Administration no at hmh362, Mag 26 when the crash took place. I was at the home base in new river. Those of us that remained at the Squadron, instead of deploying to CAX in 29 Palms, were also doing our jobs with heavy hearts. All the guys that perished were great guys. I worked daily with Maj. Davis. He was a tuff guy. And, he kept me on my toes. He demanded perfection. But, I realized that was expected from Marines.
Submitted by: Sgt Michael Dale, 20190328I was in same TBS class as HD and we served together in D 19 1972-3. He was a consummate professional, a great guy with fantastic sense of humor, and a good friend. Rest in peace brother.
Submitted by: Hugh ODonnell, Friend of Maj Davis, 20191112HD was my Dad...technically stepdad, but I called and embraced him as Dad. I have great memories of him and his brand of being a parent to his children, husband to his wife, loyal friend to many and patriot to our country. I think of him often and am grateful for the influence he had on me that has made me the father and husband I am today. I love you Dad.
Submitted by: Travis Hunter, Son to HD, 20200123Maj Davis and I roomed together at the The Basic School in 1971 and subsequently served together in A19. He as a platoon commander and I as a forward observer. HD was a terrific man. He was bright, honorable, brave and funny. We sat next to one another throughout The Basic School. He made laugh continuously with his under the breath comments. I considered, and still do, that it was my honor to have known and served with HD. My condolences to his family. As Mr. Brunk says above, I still miss him. I would love to pick up the phone and give him a call.
Semper Fi
Personal Remembrance
Chis not only qualified with me; he was my best friend. Please take a minute this week and remember the good days and the bond we had! Semper Fi, my brother - 30 years this week on Karen's birthday. Miss ya dearly, Your Bro always, Whit
Submitted by: Robert Whitney, Wing man, 20130325Personal Recollection
Many of us who attended Cornell University between 1967 and 1971 have fond memories HD especially those of us who were in the NROTC unit and Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. I had the pleasure of buying HD a beer at the Chapter House bar in Ithaca in 1973 a few months before I was commissioned. I regret We never connected while I was on active duty (1973-1979)All I can say is HD was the quintessential hard charging Marine. He was extremely bright and a gifted student of history. He is still missed.
Submitted by: Fred Brunk , Friend of Major Hartley Reese Davis (HD), 20180520