I am trying to locate the crew of an HMM 262 CH 45 that crashed on September 7, 1970. The aircraft, Bureau# 154793, call sign Chatterbox 6, crashed while attempting to insert two patrol teams from Charlie Company, 1st Recon Bn during Operation Imperial Lake. The pilot is listed on the aircraft indicent summary as LTCOL Gerald S. Pate, the CO of HMM 262. The Hospital Corpsman that was assigned to one of the teams did something of sufficient bravery to merit a Meritorious Combat Promotion from HM3 to HM2. He was also told that he was being put in for a decoration, but never received it. The bottom line is that we need some witnesses to help him get the recognition that he was promised in 1970.

If you have any information please contact me at tmccaffery@mccafferyassoc.com