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Topic starter
On June 11, 1968, YT-23 Bu# 150960 was downed by 'Friendly Fire' over Grid
AT 921810 just off RED BEACH, north of DaNang S. Vietnam.
YT-23 was part of a six(6) bird combat mission, possibly part of Mameluke Thrust and were resupplying by external loads positions in Elephant Valley South Vietnam. The bird was struck by a W.P. round fired by either a battalion of artillery of the USMC's 11th Marines or an Airborne unit near DaNang??? Three of YT-23's fight crew were killed in the incident 1st Lt. Glenn Zamorski, (Aircraft Commander), interim Crew Chief Sgt. Ray Templeton, and gunner Clp. Conrad Lerman. Lt. Dan Jones survived and was rescued by USN Corpsman Woody Colvin who received a Bronze Star for his action that day. Colvin after witnessing the crash left his chow line and ran through two strands of concertina wire and a"LIVE" mine field to reach the wreckage that landed upside down in a Vietnamese Cemetery.
The bird had been assigned to Cpl.Tom Kennedy but he had just gone on R&R with me to Hong Kong.
Ken Foran may have been flying the morning hops in YT-23 but was relieved by Cpl. Conrad Lerman when Foran was told he was to go on his own R&R. According to Dick Rosser, they had flown many sorties to Elephant Valley without incident that day. Then YT-23 disappeared in a flash.
Other pilots and crew involved in the mission were Dick Rosser, Bernie McGinley who was flying as co-pilot with Al Frisenda (deceased), Andy Young, Jerome 'Jelly" Jellison, and as of yet undiscovered others.
At this time there was no determination of misconduct by any of the aircraft's crew. Clearance should have and may have been obtained from the involved artillery battery to fly the route they were on. In any case YT-23 was not the command bird.
I am asking anyone who has any scintilla of information as to who else may have been in the flight and any facts or details concerning this mission to contact me as I intend to; facts permitting, submit these Marines for the sake of their families, a re-consideration for the award of the Purple Heart from the Marine Corps.
Updated:
Now I am hearing that Al Frisenda (deceased) may have been in overall command of the flight mission. I am also hearing that they flight was cleared to fly in the area, the onus being on the Arty unit whom ever they were. Ergo, since no malfeasance or inappropriate action was taken by any of the pilots or the crew of YT-23 a Purple Heart is warranted for all who sustained injury. S.F.
Semper Fidelis
Chuck Nowotny
Semper Fidelis
Charle'
Posted : 2013-01-16 19:17
Topic starter
Re: YT-23, 11 June 1968 Why No Purple Heart for Zamorski, Jones, Templeton and Lerma
Marines I believe were in the flight.
Dick Rosser Pilot
Bernie McGinley Co Pilot
Al Frisenda (deceased) Pilot
Andy Young, Crew Chief
Jerome 'Jelly" Jellison, Crew Chief
There were six birds, and twenty four (24) men from HMM 164 on that mission. I know of nine (9) of them. The above five and the four flying YT-23. The rest I'd like to talk to if possible.
Our AA reports are missing from the records from January '68 - Aug '68 so I cannot locate the crews and I have not found the Frag's for the unit.
I want to find out who the arty unit was, Possibly from the 11th Marines or as Tom Kennedy suggested that he heard it may have been a battery from the 101st Airborne. Operation Mameluke Thrust was going on during this period involving the 11th Marines surrounding DaNang.
I want to get our guys, our Marines awarded the Purple Heart they deserve for their sacrifice.
Semper Fi
Chuck Nowotny
Semper Fidelis
Charle'
Posted : 2013-01-16 19:33
Topic starter
Re: YT-23, 11 June 1968 Why No Purple Heart for Zamorski, Jones, Templeton and Lerma
This Mission has been accomplished. The Purple Heart WILL be awarded to the three brothers (The immediate Living Family Members) who were KIA in YT-23 on June 11, 1968 and to Dan Jones the missions sole survivor, albeit 46 years late.
Open the bar and close the hanger doors on this Mission. .
Semper Fidelis
Semper Fidelis
Charle'
Posted : 2014-08-12 12:36
Re: YT-23, 11 June 1968 Why No Purple Heart for Zamorski, Jones, Templeton and Lerma
Cnowotny;39577 wrote: This Mission has been accomplished. The Purple Heart WILL be awarded to the three brothers (The immediate Living Family Members) who were KIA in YT-23 on June 11, 1968 and to Dan Jones the missions sole survivor, albeit 46 years late.
Open the bar and close the hanger doors on this Mission. .
Semper Fidelis
job well done--they needed to be recognized for their sacrifice --46 years after the fact is a disgrace and reflects poorly on leadership of the men in charge of this operation, esp awards committee.
drippy
hml-167
1968
Posted : 2014-08-13 07:46
Re: YT-23, 11 June 1968 Why No Purple Heart for Zamorski, Jones, Templeton and Lerma
Well done! Hand Salute.
Posted : 2014-08-13 07:48
