Contact:
Rick "Doc" Groulx

Message:
Marines this is a long shot but I would like to give it a go. The date February 17, 1968, place Hai Van pass convoy going north and down the backside toward Hue. I had seven casualties 2 KIA and 5 WIA. This was my first firefight (ambush) so it was my first in country Med Evac and also the only time the responding helicopter was a UH-34. I would like to find the pilot and crew. If there was a way for me to put them in for a medal I would do it in a heartbeat. I will not go on about the whole scenario except when the bird arrived (hot LZ) it had no escort that I can recall. The road on the pass was barely wide enough to pass two mighty mites by each other. This driver facing north put the left wheel on the outside edge of the road as a result his rotor blades were missing the side of the cliff by only inches and he was taking hits. I recall as we were literally throwing the casualties on I looked up to the left side window and saw the pilot whose head was slightly out the window and looking down and back. Although I could not hear him it looked like he was telling us to hurry. At this time I cannot even estimate how long he held the bird there but certainly long enough for us to load all seven Marines. When we indicated that we were done he simply rolled the chopper to the right and down toward the South China Sea. I do not know how many hits he had but it was considerable. I would like the pilot and crew to know that SSgt John Johnson was one of the more seriously wounded and he survived to retire from the Marine Corps as a Major. I know how important is was to me to find that I was successful in my mission and that I did have survivors so I thought it might be the same way for this crew. If there is any way you can help me in this endeavor it would be greatly appreciated.

On a side note I had many casualties during my tour and most of the MED EVACs were in hot LZs and not once did a pilot refuse to pick up until the LZ was secure. You guys were awesome.

With respect & Semper Fi,
Rick "Doc" Groulx
Vietnam 1968-69
TET Hue City
1st, 3rd Bridge & B Companies 7th Engineer Bn. 1st MARDIV
& CAP 1-2-7 III MAF