It was 40 years ago that HMM-164 took to the air to rescue the Marines of Breaker Patrol.

The first attempt resulted in the two choppers being shot up. They returned to Khe Sahn. A second attempt was launched with Captain Paul Looney in the lead. He was a good pilot and had an excellant crew. It was a night mission and there was no sneaking up on the position. While attempting to land, enemy fire found its mark and hit Capt. Looney. His copilot was hit in the foot and was able to fly his crippled chopper back to the base.

Capt. Lonney would later die from his wounds, along with several members of the crews were wounded. Two more attempts would be made before the three surviving Marines were finally rescued.

The bravery, spirit and dedication of the flight crews to the mission of supporting the Grunts was never more evident. Their CH-46's flying into the continous hail of gunfire and facing their own deaths can only be described as Marines doing the job that they were trained for. Get the job done!

Capt. Paul "Tucker" Looney has been gone for 40 years, but he and his deeds, along with his sacrifice are not forgotten.