I know of...

...an automobile accident off base at that time where at least one Crew Chief was killed.

Not sure if this could be it or if I can even resurrect the details.

I believe you can contact me through this site.

I know of....

Ray, the details should be on record at New River PD, or Court House somewhere. CorYa75, or anyone checking into it should be able to contact the court House and get the info. Hope The Lady can find the report of her Uncle. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Sadly, the Courthouse, Police Department, Highway Patrol or the DMV do not have any records that far back. They only keep up to 10 years. Thanks!

Old news papers

Did you try to contact the local news paper or library? A lot of times they have old copies on micro film. If you have an idea of what time of year, librarians love to research things like that.

Old Newspapers

Bruce, that is about the only way anything can be found out. Either the news paper, or the state coroners office should have it on Micro-fish records somewhere. It will be Great when Corya75 eventually finds the records. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

Thanks guys! I'm actually trying to get in touch with someone at the local newspaper hoping they would have some kind of article. As a side question, can anyone tell me what a Helicopter Chief would have done? My understanding of his "job" was that he flew in where downed helicopters were, sometimes under enemy fire, and tried to repair them enough to get them out. Is this correct? What else would he have done during his time there? Thank you all for your help. Just trying to "know" my uncle.:)
Kindly,
Cory

Crew Chief

Chief cook and bottle washer is a good description Cory, BUT I'm sure the guys around here have lots of versions. He is a mechanic, plus trained in all the systems and somewhat of a conductor to oversee all of the systems and the specialists from hydraulics, avionics, airframe shops that concentrate on different parts of a very complex machine. When he is satisfied that all systems function he will "sign off" that she is ready for flight. In the air, he is in charge of the cabin and crew (gunners), troops being hauled, supplies loaded and unloaded, cargo sling hooking and releasing, watching clearance for touching down in bush and position of other aircraft in the area. That's the SHORT version. A lot of responsibility for a young kid like me;)

Thank you so much, Dale! Greatly appreciate your description. 🙂

Add on...

Dale A Riley;30516 wrote: Chief cook and bottle washer is a good description Cory, BUT I'm sure the guys around here have lots of versions. He is a mechanic, plus trained in all the systems and somewhat of a conductor to oversee all of the systems and the specialists from hydraulics, avionics, airframe shops that concentrate on different parts of a very complex machine. When he is satisfied that all systems function he will "sign off" that she is ready for flight. In the air, he is in charge of the cabin and crew (gunners), troops being hauled, supplies loaded and unloaded, cargo sling hooking and releasing, watching clearance for touching down in bush and position of other aircraft in the area. That's the SHORT version. A lot of responsibility for a young kid like me;)

And woe be it..,to the pilot that did not heed the crew-chief's 'advice'..,at least on my bird.

add-ons

Mike, Dale sums it up pretty good. The Bird belongs to the Crew Chief Period. If the pilot is not following the book, he will be called into the CO's office, and may be on paper work catch up for awhile, simply put. A few believed they didn't have to listen to the Crew Chief, and found out the rough way. Never had to go to the CO on one, but one came close several times. Hope I never see him again.

Re: Hmh 361

Thanks everyone for your help! I recently received a copy of my uncle's Service Record Book and found that he was actually in HMH-463 during his time in Vietnam. He wasn't in HMH 361 until he was back in the U.S. at New River shortly before he died. I'm going to start a new thread and hopefully someone from 463 will remember him.

Re: Hmh 361

Corya75;32164 wrote: Thanks everyone for your help! I recently received a copy of my uncle's Service Record Book and found that he was actually in HMH-463 during his time in Vietnam. He wasn't in HMH 361 until he was back in the U.S. at New River shortly before he died. I'm going to start a new thread and hopefully someone from 463 will remember him.

😀 Way to Go ! So maybe all this time is paying off Now. My prayer is still that God will continue to give you directions in mission. May He also put or bring People to you that will help bring Closure about Uncle Alan. God Speed JJ