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HMM-161 Command Chronology - March 1970

During the month, HMM-161 had one aircraft accident which resulted in the loss of 4 Marine passengers and Alpha damage to the aircraft.

Submitted by: Alan H Barbour, Historian, USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association, 20040320

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HMM-161 Command Chronology - Sequential Listing of Events

10 MAR 70 - While conducting a routine resupply mission the aircraft, piloted by 1stLt L. D. Hughes and 1stLt D. H. Cady crashed just after take-off. This accident resulted in the loss of 4 Marine passengers and Alpha (strike) damage to the aircraft. The flight crew escaped without injury. [Location of incident was adjacent to Camp PERDUE near Hill 327 at grid AT 947754 - 4 mi. west of Danang city]

Submitted by: Alan H Barbour, Historian, USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association, 20040320

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Personal Narrative

I ALWAYS THOUGHT MORE MARINES WERE KILLED IN THE CRASH AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. FOUR MARINES ARE STILL TOO MANY. I WATCHED THE CH46 TAKE OFF W/EXTERNAL NET LOAD TO RESUPPLY AN "OP" AND DROP OFF MARINES. AS THE CHOPPER LIFTED OFF AND STARTED TRAVELING FORWARD, I HEARD CRACKING OR CHOPPING AND LOOKED UP ABOVE TO SEE THE PROPS COMING APART. THE 46 CRASHED A COUPLE HUNDRED YARDS FROM THE HELIPAD AND BURST INTO BLACK SMOKE.

I SAW THE PILOT AND CO-PILOT EXCAPE - CAN'T REMEMBER ANYONE ELSE RUNNING AWAY FROM THE 46. IT WAS A HELPLESS SITUATION - THERE WAS AMMO AND EXPLOSIVES ON BOARD AND THEY STARTED TO COOK OFF AFTER THE FIRE STARTED. FELT REALLY DEPRESSED AFTER THE INCIDENT - THERE WAS NOTHING I OR ANY OF US COULD DO TO HELP THOSE TRAPPED MARINES INSIDE THE BIRD.

TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, THERE WAS A PHOTOGRAPHER (CIVILIAN) WHO SHOWED UP FROM NOWHERE AND STARTED TAKING PICTURES WHILE THE 46 WAS BURNING. A BLACK GYSGT CAME RUNNING UP BEHIND THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND STRIPPED HIM OF HIS CAMERAS AND TOLD HIM (VERY CONVINCINGLY) TO GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE. I SALUTE THE GUNNY AND WISHED I COULD REMEMBER HIS NAME. ALL I CAN REMEMBER OF HIM IS THAT HE WAS A VERY LARGE MARINE.

Submitted by: Roger K. Kolling Jr, PFC, USMC with HQCo/1/1 - witnessed crash, 20060624

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Personal Narrative

"Years and years have gone by and only now can I reach out for help. I was a member of 11th Motor Transport Bn in Vietnam."

"Our unit was on the outskirts of Danang just across from 26th Marines. One afternoon while on perimeter duty I witnesed a CH46 crash in to LZ of the 26th Marines compound. It is really hard for me to describe what I saw. I felt so helpless because I could not reach the crash site with all the concertina wire and claymores set up around our perimeter. I would like your help in finding the names of the Marines that died that day." Semper Fi Cpl Glenn Zak RVN 69/70

I witnessed this crash while working on the wire around my perimeter. My unit, 11th Motor Transport Battalion, was directly across the road.

There was no way I could reach the H-46 as the rows of wire would have been impossible to get over. I thought many more Marines died, since fire erupted quickly.

Wish I could have done something and that bothers me to this day. Semper Fi brothers. RIP.

Submitted by: Glenn Zak, Cpl, USMC, witness, 20081012

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