Response to your request for information regarding Nick Sapiel

Jimmie,

My name is Kurt Helm and I was with HMM-265 at Marble Mountain from December 10, 1967 through August 20, 1968. I knew Nick and, as I recall, flew with him as a gunner a few times. I attended an HMM-265 Reunion in 1995 (?) and someone said that Nick had died of cancer a few years earlier.

This is heresay information and therefore should be taken with a grain of salt. For more reliable info you might check with the contact person for the Reunion in Fort Worth this year. His name is Wayne Stafford and his phone number is 530-559-5655. Hope this helps.

If you served with HMM-265 during the time I was there, give me a call at 812-988-0999 and we can swap war stories. You know the difference between a war story and a fairy tale, don't you? A fairy tale begins, "Once upon a time..." and a war story begins, "Now this is no sh*t!"

Semper Fi

Kurt G. Helm
Sergeant, USMC (Former)

looking for nick

over the years i have picked up on bits of info about former members of 265. jeff wallace, former crew chief from 265, has been instrumental in finding a bunch of us and making contact to get us together. his contact with the family of nick sapiel was at first was a reluctance by nicks family but once jeff was able to prove his sincerity the family told jeff that nick had passed on due some type of cancer.
i.allso have wondered about nick since he and i at that time were the only native american (indians) serving in the squadron at that time.

it's been a lot of years since then and some of the moments are a little hazy yet other moments are so vivid

I was the crewchief on EP-1 bur# 151951

Basil M. Heth Sgt. 2277502

RU the same Heth that would get drunk and drive the tractor on the flight line

Tractor on Flightline

You are asking about a long time ago. Then, of course, the mention of being influenced by a few beers at the time it is very possible that I may have tried to preflight and crew a flightline tractor.

Good to hear from crew mates from 265. Been unable to make it to the reunions over the years, hope to make the next one.

Semper Fi,

Basil Heth

Yes it has been a long time ago. My memery is shot about being over there. Didn't we call you Jim? I flew with Jeff Brown as his gunner and first mech. I think we were in # 15. Have tried to find him but so far have not. I was in 265 4/1/ 8 - 4/1/09

Looking for Nick

Nick may be gone but he still has been here to draw together "ole crew mates". Brings back to us the day when we too, (to use a quote from that movie)ONCE WE WERE SOLDIERS, AND YOUNG!!

most of the time I was called Heth or "Injun" . I am a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota and very proud to have served with the finest and to have survived to share all the good things life has given us.

Semper Fi

Basil Heth "Injun"

you r so right Heth. Tell me about yourself. Did you stay in the Corps?

QUOTE=bmheth;21528]Nick may be gone but he still has been here to draw together "ole crew mates". Brings back to us the day when we too, (to use a quote from that movie)ONCE WE WERE SOLDIERS, AND YOUNG!!

most of the time I was called Heth or "Injun" . I am a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota and very proud to have served with the finest and to have survived to share all the good things life has given us.

Semper Fi

Basil Heth "Injun"

From "ole" crew mate

To Jimmy Frye, Little about myself, I got out after my enlistment was up. I tryed a number of things. There was not much for job opportunities on our Reservation so I moved away. I found employment and some very good jobs but never stuck with one for very long. In retrospect, I believe it had some thing to do with PTSD. I now have moved back to the Reservation and getting by on VA comp.

I have been able to make it to two 265 reunions. It was real good to see some of the squadron members. Hope I can make it to the next one.

Basil Heth "Injun"
Semper Fi

I Got out in 1971 and Moved Back Home( Alabama) Got a Job at a Paper Mill and Worked There for 34 Years. Had Trouble with Ptsd but Would Not Go for Help. You Know Bad Ass Marine Does Not Need Help. Well about 5 Years Ago a Bunch of the Vet's at Work Started Getting into the Va System. One Guy Made Me His Project and Took Me under His Wing and Showed Me How and What Do Do. I Got into the System and Now Am Drawing from the Va. In 2005 the Company Had a Early out Deal and with My Retirement and the Va I Was Able to Retire in Nov.2005. Me and the Wife Live in Adouble Wide Home 100yards from Our Son ,Dather in Law and 2 Grandkids. One Girl 11 and a Boy 9. They Are the Love of Our Life. I Go to Group Va Meeting Every Week. Guess They Help but Who Knows.