Helicopter UH-34D 148053
Information on U.S. Marine Corps helicopter UH-34D tail number 148053
Date: 06/25/66
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
This was a Rescue and Recovery mission for Medical Evacuation
While in PickUp Zone this helicopter was on Take-Off at UNK feet and UNK knots.
South Vietnam
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (MORTAR)
causing a Fire.
Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS, PERSONNEL
Casualties = 04 KIA, 04 INJ . .
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Exploded

Was speaking on the phone with Maj. William S. Morgan Jr., HMM-163 pilot about this incident. We would like additional information confirming incident date and KIAs. Maj. Morgan recalls a UH-34 from 163 which crashed/exploded on the runway at Phu Bai around this time but does not see an Incident date for it, could it be the same? Happened prior to 163 moving to MMAF from Phu Bai. Any additional information would be helpful.

NEW DETAILS (from HMM-161)

FOR NEW DETAILS, SEE:

https://www.popasmoke.com/kia/incidents.php?incident_id=50

hmm 163

beddoe;5963 wrote: Was speaking on the phone with Maj. William S. Morgan Jr., HMM-163 pilot about this incident. We would like additional information confirming incident date and KIAs. Maj. Morgan recalls a UH-34 from 163 which crashed/exploded on the runway at Phu Bai around this time but does not see an Incident date for it, could it be the same? Happened prior to 163 moving to MMAF from Phu Bai. Any additional information would be helpful.

You said that you on the phone with a MAI WILLAM S. asking about information on a helo that crashed on Phu Bai. I was the grew chief on it happend on the 17 of February 1966. Lost my gunner and a army passenger. The A/C was YP 9. smokey the bear

Hmm-163

Smokey The Bear, you said you were the Crew Chief on the 34 that crashed on 17 Feb., '66 at Phu-bai. They were looking for info on the crash for the Kia's. What type of mission, and what type of enemy fire did you take? The Bird must have made it as far as it could, and gave out on landing. Hope you will reply again. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.