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Received this request via e-mail:
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Hello Beddoe!
I'm a Canadian collector of oldtime Burlesque nostalgia & ephemera. I'm hoping to turn some of it, into a possible book project someday. Some years ago, I purchased a large collection of private photos from a famous 50's-era dancer named: "Irma The Body". Her real name was Mary Elizabeth Goodneighbor. She died in San Diego, sometime in the 90's..
In the collection of photos, one of them features a helicopter pilot
with her. And as the story goes.. he was purportedly her fiancee. And they were to be married. But it was rumoured that he died in a helicopter crash on an aircraft carrier, late in the Vietnam conflict.
I guess I wanted to ask you to help me try and identify him. I realize that this is a real longshot. I don't even know how to identify his uniform.. Is the nametag featuring "Shelby".. his Last Name? Or would that be the name of his Camp?
As the webmaster of the NOTAM Board, I was hoping you could perhaps post the Pic for me in the appropriate Forum, with my question? Otherwise, perhaps you could direct me to a website or mailing address, where I could further pursue these enquiries?
Any help you could offer me would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanking you, in advance.. Sincerely..
-- Rich Dannys
gr8gzoo@idirect.com
Posted : 2004-04-14 21:11
No one with the name Shelby is on our KIA list. Just looking at the photo my guess is that this guy may be an Army pilot. The Army wore white name tapes over their right pocket until about 1965. I also know the Army pilots in the early 1960's flew in utility uniforms, and later started wearing flight suits. The aircraft in the background also looks like an Army B model. The national insignia on the aircraft also leads me to believe this is an Army aircraft. Usually the word MARINES would be on the tail boom.
Posted : 2004-04-14 22:14
Maybe fixedwing?
After looking at the picture, I'm wondering if this guy might have been fixed wing aircraft pilot. She is wearing a 'chute. Or maybe that has nothing to do with anything. I do agree that I don't think he's Marine Corps, I remember name tags on flight suits at an angle, but then I was only in 4 years. (boot)
Posted : 2004-04-15 09:22
Try the Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Association website. It's Army and has a KIA list and a message board. www.vhpa.org
Good Luck
Posted : 2004-04-15 11:04
only two KIAs with last name = "Shelby" Vietnam
JAMES BENJAMIN SHELBY
Army - SP4 - E4
9th Infantry Division
Age - 21
Date of Birth - Feb 26, 1948
From - PEORIA , ILLINOIS
JAY CLAYTON SHELBY
Army - SP4 - E4
1st Cav Division (AMBL)
Age - 25
Date of Birth - Nov 08, 1941
From - NEBO , ILLINOIS
George T. Curtis (RIP. 9/17/2005)
Posted : 2004-04-15 16:39
Two Helicopter KIAs with "Shelby" as first name or middle name
FYI
SHELBY MARCENE LONG
SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular
1st Cav Division (AMBL)
20 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Aug 28, 1949
From CHILLICOTHE, OHIO
Length of service 2 years.
His tour of duty began on Feb 17, 1969
Casualty was on Oct 22, 1969
in PHUOC LONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
Non-Hostile, died of illness/injury
HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT
Panel 17W - - Line 105
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HAROLD SHELBY WOOD JR
SP5 - E5 - Army - Regular
1st AVN BDE
25 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on May 14, 1942
From LEWISBURG, KENTUCKY
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Jun 09, 1967
Casualty was on Mar 19, 1968
in LONG AN, SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST
Panel 45E - - Line 36
George T. Curtis (RIP. 9/17/2005)
Posted : 2004-04-15 16:44
The name tag would have the last name not a first name. My USMC flight suits have slanted chest pockets, but my name tag was always in leather on the left.
About the parachute: When I first flew helos in the early '60s, if the flight expected to go above 3500 feet agl, NATOPS required that a chute be worn. It made sense. The magnesium aircraft we flew, if they caught fire at a high altitude, only ashes and the engine would hit the ground. We had a paraloft in VMO-6 at CamPen in '64, but we also had O-1C's.
Lanny
Posted : 2004-04-16 02:01
Thanks!!
I took a moment to register, here.. So that I could personally thank all of you, for your tremendous help!!
The comments on the Uniform detailling, was particularly insightful. I'll assume that this Shelby fella is then: Army. And not: Marine..
I'm going to go the 'Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Association' website & message board, as suggested. Perhaps someone there will recognize who this guy is, for me..
Again,-- MANY thanks to all of you.. for your time, energy, & kind consideration; in this matter.
It's VERY much appreciated!!
Cheers!
-- Rich
Posted : 2004-04-24 17:29
Shelby
A good Friend of mine, Mike Law, was an Army Helo pilot in Viet Nam. He has worked directly with the HUGE database the 'Vietnam Helicopter Pilot Association' has for the past 18-20 years. Unfortunately he and his wife are serving a mission for their Church in Africa right now and won't return for about one more year. However, once they return to Colorado I am positive that he will be anxious to help you in any way he can. He does not have all his data with him in Africa, and their email service is horrible there. However, he may be able to direct you in some direction or point you to an individual that may help you. I don't think he will mind me sharing his email address with you, if you want to try sending him a "help - request". His email is: MGLAW@EARTHLINK.NET. You can tell him that John Nicholson referred you to him.
Good Hunting
John
Semper Fi
________________
Now is the time to stand fast in our faith and on our principles. . .
John [Hodge] Nicholson
Posted : 2004-05-06 01:52
