I am reasonably certain this event happened just before I left RVN (Phu Bai) and the Gunnery Sergent in-charge of the metal shop (my boss whose name I can't think of at the moment) was flying guns. As I recall the Gunny's story, the aircraft lost one engine and water taxied a long distance (2-3 miles?) and became stuck in the sand when it got to the beach.

Sounds about right Mike!

THanks for the extra information.

Gunner was Sitton

The NCOIC of the HMM-165 Metal Shop at that time was GySgt. Sitton. Guy was incredible with ANY kind of metal! Welded a chaise lounge type of thing out of scrap aluminum lawn chairs!
I don't remember much about the incident or who the Crew Chief was, may have been Harry Whidden. We may have been on the USS Tripoli at the time, or preparing to go their from Phu Bai.
I had a friend in that Metal Shop, Curtis "Crazy" Culbertson, most always a Private E-1 but a good Metalsmith and a good friend. Did anyone remember him or ever hear from him?
Last saw him in about 1975 in my house in Atlanta and he ropped off the scope altogether.
Semper Fi,
Joe

Joe: Thanks for Sitton's name. I knew it started with an S (Sutton, Sinton, Stanton or something). Every 165 reunion the guys remind me and it is about time for my two year refreasher. He was an outstanding metal smith and took most of the big jobs himself. He repaired a couple of undersides where Drivers somehow grew huge trees. He was an oldtimer and lived in Florida. I have been trying to find out what happened to him for years but nobody at the reunions remember. I owe the Gunny an apology for some opinions I gave him on the USMC and RVN at one of our BBQs across the road from the barracks with a case of stolen steaks from the mess hall. I think I remember Culbertson as a FNG that took Head, Bos, Woody and some of our spots. By the way, we were still in Phu Bai, I never made it to the Tripoli. Hope to see you in Fort Worth.

BY CHANCE????????

Is this the 46 that was externalling window air conditioning unit for senior officers @ Phu Bai and surrounding areas. I remember a 46 pickeling an external load of A/C units about that time, right in the middle of DaNang Harbor.

"If everybody doesn't get one than no-one gets one"!!!!!!!!

Semper Fi

Jack Warner

Water Landing

Jack,
I remember this as a "mail" run to Da Nang as senior Staff NCOS sometimes flew and that would explain why they were over water coming from Phu Bai, but sometimes I have that CRS problem! LOL! Bottom line is I can't be sure.
Semper Fi
Joe

I can possibly clear-up some of the stories relative to the water landing since I was the pilot on that mission.

My copilot was Lt Joe Hoagland, GySgt Sitton was our gunner, and I can not recall the name of our crew-chief. That is unfortunate since these crew members were outstanding Marines and exhibited courage, exceptional skills and quick thinking in a rapidly deteriorating situation. As of this date, they have received no official credit for the role they played in saving several Marines lives.

We launched from Phu Bia on a mission wearing bullet bouncers, not life preservers. While airborne we were diverted to a medical facility to pickup some wounded Marines. While the medevacs (4 or 5 liter patients) were being loaded in our bird, a Navy Corpsman came aboard and said he had orders to report to the USS Repose and asked if he could catch a ride to the ship. He had cleared this possibility with the medical team and was told either the Repose or the USS Sanctuary had the capability to treat these wounded Marines. I elected to fly to the Repose which was on station in DaNang harbor.

During the final approach to the helodeck a fire warning light came on accompanied by “bells and whistles” after one of the engines failed. I advised the crew “we were going hit the water”. We were very close to the ship but managed to miss the fantail and land in water on the port side of the ship. It was no doubt, one of my softer landings.

The most remarkable action I recall, was the fact our crew chief and Gunny Sitton had been able to place two (2) life preservers around each of the liter patients prior to the water landing. I can only imagine how those men in the cabin area must have felt during this episode.

At max power the remaining engine was unable to lift us off the water. We were unsure of what assistance the Repose crew could provide, if any, so we headed toward an unfamiliar beach. Sea conditions were rather mild as I recall. I was concerned about taking on more water and sinking and ordered the crew to “lighten ship and throw any thing they could overboard”. We were riding fairly deep in the water as we rode the swells. The water level was just 2 or 3 inches below the open windows in the cabin area. Water level outside the cockpit glass was at the foot pedal lever. I ordered the copilot to put on his life preserver and contemplated how to role the copter if we should start to scuttle,

About half way to the beach an interesting event occurred. The crew chief advised me “The Corpsman just jumped overboard”. You can guess what I said and how I felt when one of the three able bodied men in the cabin area just left us. I later discussed this issue with the Senior Medical Officer of the Pacific Fleet.

On July 23, 1968 an armada consisting of: 1water bound H46, 1 H46 (wingman), 4 Army Hueys, 1 Air Force SAR copter and 3 Navy Mike boats stormed the beach at DaNang harbor.

Our Boeing Tech Rep. said our 3 mile water taxi was a record at that time. I was told the medevacs were safely transported to the hospital ship by a Navy Mike boat and never touched the water.

I am extremely proud of this Marine crew. I never met the medevacs but hope they went on to live happy productive lives.

I would appreciate if anyone can tell me how to contact Gunny Sitton. Also anyone who can help me find that special Crew Chief.

I thank God for holding us in His Hand.

RD “Dad” Taylor

Crew Names

After Mission Report of 23 July 1968, HMM-165

Crew of YW-2 was Taylor, Hoagland, Barrett and Sitton.

Crew of YW-14 (wingman) was Otto, Hockaday, Williams and Tyler.

It was Mission #73 in support of the 5th Marines on Operation HOUSTON. Your report ended up at AT 940825 on the chart. That may have been the beach.

/s/ R. D. Taylor

Da Nang Harbour

That "Doc" would have never jumped out if he had ever seen how big the sharks were in the harbour. S/F ED

I want to thank Al for his outstanding research and for filling in the blanks. I just had my 71st BDay and my wife has assured me my memory was going south.

Does anyone know how to get in contact with Sitton and Barrett?

"Dad" Taylor

After Action Report

After Action Report 23 JUL 68

Dad Taylor

Tyler and Barrett are still around. Sitton was in his 60's then as an E-7 and NCOIC of the metal shop. May not be around 🙁 Try HMM-164 for Tyler.
Semper Fi
Joe

Re: Dad Taylor

Originally posted by Joe Reed
Tyler and Barrett are still around. Sitton was in his 60's then as an E-7 and NCOIC of the metal shop. May not be around 🙁 Try HMM-164 for Tyler.
Semper Fi
Joe

Jim Tyler is around but he didn't fly with HMM 164. He is in So. Cal. in Mission Viejo but doesn't play with computers. Any former pals can reach him through me if desired.

Cnowotny@msn.com

I'll ask him if he recalls this float from his ring side seat...