Special Operations.Com

MACV-SOG

KIA / MIA   Chronology

1964-1973

Compiled and Maintained by Cpt Robert L. Noe, U.S. Army MACVSOG, Retired

This quote is extracted from Maj John Plaster’s Book: SOG, The Secret Wars of American Commandos in Vietnam and reflect’s both the intelligence gathering aspects of a reconnaissance mission to gather intelligence data and the ability of that soldier to fight:

"I looked up at the bunker in front of me and saw a khaki-uniformed NVA with a pith helmet, chest web gear, green Bata boots and an AK, Type 56, and no other identifying insignia. Then I shot him."--Sgt Tony "Fast Eddie" Anderson, RT Kansas, 1971

As I worked on this project, many times I had to stop, my heart filled with pride, a lump in my throat, emotional pain filling my soul, bringing tears to my eyes. Always, avoiding the gazes of those who might come around so they would not know. Then I ran across a passage in John Plaster’s book which says it all contributed to Bill O’Rourke when he was speaking of Mad dog Shriver, I’ll paraphrase it to fit the feeling of all our SOG brothers: I feel very privileged to have been associated with these brave men, some my friends and all my brother, I wish I had been standing and fighting with each one of them, to bring them home, I wasn’t, and I grieve for each. Hopefully, I did contribute in some small way with my service with SOG!

1964

30 Jun 64; two unidentified Sea Commandos (Name/rank unknown) KIA, Remains recovered(RR)-Ops 31 (Maritime Studies Branch)

15 Jul 64, two unidentified Sea Commandos (Name/rank unknown) KIA, Remains recovered (RR) Ops 31 (Maritime Studies Branch)

16 Nov 64; Eugene R. Paliski, SSG E6, USASF, MACV SOG, KIA-RR

10 Dec 64- Woodrow W. Valden, Maj 0-4, USASF, MACVSOG FFD Pilot and Dominick Sansone, SFC E-6, USASF, MACVSOG, Team A1/212-both KIA

29 Dec 64- Harold G. Bennett, SFC E-7, USASF, MACVSOG, Ops 34, Agent Drop-MIA

1965

29 Apr 65, Charles Ervin Shelton, Cpt 0-3, Owensville, Ky, USAF, Op 20 & 32, Flying photo recon over Plain of Jars Laos crashed, captured by Pathet Lao, MIA (Cpt Shelton had parachuted safely, hid, used emergency radio procedures to make radio contact aircraft, during the rescue attempt, the weather became adverse as he was being forced from the area by enemy forces hunting him. After several days, he continued to make radio contact until captured by the Pathet Lao)

27 Jun 65-Carl Jackson, Cpt, US Air Force, Pilot, C-123, First Flight, Operation Crimson Tide-KIA, On 13 Oct 66, Charles R. Vessel, SFC E-7 and Fedrick H. Lewis, SFC E-7, USASF, and forty Nungs Commandos of FOB-2, Kontum, Operation Crimson Tide-KIA during the attempted recovery of a Prisoner of War. This mission is credited as being the first to attempt to recover an American POW (USAF Captain Carl E. Jackson), being held by the Viet Cong at one of their R&R center located at Soc Trang. A SOG size company element was formed and commanded by Captain Frank Jaks, a Czechoslovakia by birth, and tasked with the rescue mission. Vessel and Lewis were part of the 3^rd Platoon. Their helicopters landed them directly in front of two heavily armed Viet Cong Battalions and the 306 NVA regiment with an estimated 1,000 soldiers. The entire 3^rd Platoon was annihilated.

10 Jul 65- William Horner, SSG E-6, USASF, MACVSOG, Ops 34, Agent Drop-KIA

18 Oct 65, Larry Alan Thorne, Cpt 0-3, Norwalk, Conn; USASF, Shining Brass, FOB#1, Kham Duc, Crashed outside of Da Nang aboard Vietnamese CH-34, MIA along with the Vietnamese Piot, Co-pilot, and Door Gunner all whom were KIA.Cpt Thorne became missing after inserting the first MACV-SOG mission from Kham Duc into Laos. (Cpt Thorne was involved in the insertion of the 1^st Shining Brass Recon Mission ran by Charles "Slate" Petry, Jim "Halo" Smith, and William "Willie" Card [see Al Friend’s story A Walk in Indian Country, Tales From SOG], he was a passenger when the aircraft crashed).

18 Oct 65; Harley B Piles, Maj 04 and Windfield W. Sisson, Cpt, 0-3, USMC, SOG Liaison Officer, 0-1 Bird Dog, FAC, OP 34-Da Nang Air Base,-MIA (Maj Pile was tasked to orbit the 1^st Shining Brass Recon Mission ran by Charles "Slate" Petry, Jim "Halo" Smith, and William "Willie" Card [see Al Friend’s story A Walk in Indian Country, Tales From SOG], to keep a watch on the weather and alert fighter aircraft if the team got into trouble. The aircraft crashed in bad weather as they were returning to Da Nang)

28 Oct 65; Robert J Fay, Commander, LTC 0-5, CO of US Naval Advisory Det, Ban Dao Son Tra (Monkey Mountain), Op 3 1-Maritime Studies Branch; (Fatally wounded by mortar round while inspecting compound perimeter (LTC Fay was the commander of SOG Ops 31 and was the first Navy "frogman" killed in Vietnam).

1966

29 Jan 66; Ronald Terrance Terry, SSG E6, Niagara Falls, NY, USASF, FOB #1, Ops 35, Shining Brass, KIA while on recon-body not recovered. (The team came under fire by the enemy causing the team to be split resulting three men to be hiding in elephant grass where they observed 7 enemy soldiers within a couple of feet to their right and rear. These men opened fire on the Viet Cong and fell three of them, SSG Terry was heard yelling he had been hit and observed him holding his right shoulder and then react as if he had been hit again where Terry did not move again).

Feb 66, Luc Luong Dac Biet (LLDB), An unidentified Vietnamese Lieutenant and a Sergeant, Kham Duc, Ops 35, Shining Brass, MIA (The facts regarding the loss of these men are unknown).

15 Mar 66; David Hugh Homer, Cpt 0-3, Pilot, Belmont, Mass, USAF, FAC, MACSOG 32 (Air Studies Branch) and Glenn David McElroy, LTC 0-5, Sidney, IL and John Michael Nash, Cpt 0-3, Tipton, Indiana last reported location in Laos near Khe Sahn- MIA (The last known position was in Laos near Khe Sanh)

17 Mar 66, William H Craig, Cpt 0-3, USASF, FOB #1, Kham Duc, Ops 35, Reaction Force Commander, Killed due to accidental discharge of his Swedish-K sub-machine gun when it fell to the floor off the club’s bar and discharged. (Cpt Craig was the commander of the Nung reaction force on the North side of Kham Duc).

06 Apr 66, James W Gates, Cpt 0-3, Mer Rouge, La., and John W Lafayette, Cpt 0-3, Waterbury, Vermont; Ops 32 (Air Studies Branch) Hue-Phu Bai Airfield, Flying FAC in OV-1 crashed 30 kilometers inside Laos, MIA. (Two OV-1 departed Phu Bai for a recon over Laos, both were shot down. Another aircraft flew over the area, observed the wreckage of both OV-1's and the FAC saw the four men (two men per OV-1) alive on the ground with both crews reporting they were alright. Contact was lost with Cpt Gates and Lafayette as they reported enemy forces closing in on them. The crew of the other OV-1 were rescued).

03 Jul 66; Edwin J McNamara, Cpt 0-3, USASF RT Nevada, Tm Leader (One-Zero) and Donald J Fawcett, SSG E-6, USASF Team Radio Operator (One-Two) were KIA-RR, Ralph Joseph Reno, MSG E-8, USASF Team Assistant Team Leader (One-One), Fayetteville, NC, MIA; and Nine Vietnamese Soldiers (names and Ranks unknown) were KIA (These 12 men were assigned to FOB #2, OPS 35, KONTUM, SOG) and a CH-34 Vietnamese Helicopter crew consisting the VN Pilot Nguyen Van Hoagn aka "Mustachio", and Co-pilot and Door Gunner -names and ranks unknown were also KIA. The aircraft was returning from Kham Duc [after a mission] to Kontum, FOB 2 (flying at 5,000 feet) when it hit a severe air turbulence resulting in the aircraft "falling apart" loss of the rear tail rotor (the tail , designed to pivot for storage on aircraft carriers, had come loose, swung around and chewed the helicopter to pieces in mid air) causing the aircraft to rotate rapidly, falling some (1,500 ?) feet in a tight spiral, throwing individuals and debris over a large area. impacting the ground nose first. Remains of 2 Americans and 5 Vietnamese were recovered. MSG Reno and 4 Vietnamese soldiers remains were not found after a 5 day aerial and ground search.

29 Jul 66, Delmar Lee Laws, SFC E-7, Mineral Point, Missouri and Don Rue Sain SP/4, USASF, FOB 1, Phu Bai, MACSOG Op 35 and Two Army of Vietnam (ARVN) soldiers, name and ranks unknown were on a recon mission. SFC Laws listed as MIA and SP4 Sain and the two Vietnamese KIA-RR. (A team of 3 Americans and 7 ARVN, conducting a recon in the area Southwest of Khe Shan in Laos. The team had stopped at a small stream as they were climbing down the back slope of Co Roc Mountain, where SFC Law was last seen crouched, signaling to the team leader, reporting he had hears something to his rear. Immediately the team came under fire from the rear and flank positions by automatic weapons by an estimated company size NVA unit. Two Vietnamese and SP/4 Sain were immediately KIA. As the team rallied, SFC Laws was unaccounted for. The team then moved to evade the enemy. SFC Laws was not seen hit nor was he seen again. Upon a recovery mission, the remains of the two Vietnamese and SP/4 Sain along with a leg which was later identified as belong to SFC Laws were recovered (Sain’s body had been crudely booby-trapped with a hand grenade). The recovery team reports, anyone caught in the killing zone died instantly. Law is presumed to have died due to the massive bleeding produced from the severed femoral artery would have produced death within minutes without the immediate services of a medically trained surgeon. MSG Harry "Crash" D. Whalen was able to evade the enemy and actually walk out of Laos. Note: Identification was made through the remaining clothing on the leg, Jungle boots, and size of the boots).

28 Sep 66, Danny Gene Taylor, SSG E-6, St Louis, Mo USASF, and Two Nungs FOB #1, Phu Bal, Ops 35 SOG, KIA body not recovered. (The team was overran during a halt to make radio contact by an aggressive enemy force near Khe Shan. Taylor was the team’s RTO, One-Two, making radio contact when the team came under fire by a Viet Cong element, he re-shouldered his radio, firing on the enemy and moved over and attempted to jump off of some rocks when hit in the back by a machine gun bullet(s). Two members of the patrol checked him for vital signs, there were none. The team was forced to leave Taylor due to the heavy enemy fire).

03 Oct 66; Raymond Louis Echevarria, MSG B-8, New York, NY and James Emory Jones, SFC E-7, Alpha, Georgia and Eddie Lee Williams, SFC E-7, Miami, FL, USASF, RT Arizona, FOB 1, Phu Bai, Ops 35 SOG, and Three Vietnamese, name and ranks unknown all MIA as a result of recon mission one mile inside Laos west of the DMZ. (After insertion, the team moved a short distance from the Landing Zone and ran into an enemy soldier and fired upon him. The team was met by heavy return fire from 360 degrees, the team was surrounded, and most all the team members were wounded. In an attempt to evade the enemy, they split in order to escape. Echevarria called for extraction, but due to the heavy enemy activity this was impossible despite air strikes. Echevarra then reported their situation was hopeless, stating in a calm voice "When I quit talking, put the shit right on us!." A few minutes later, the Air Force fighter bombers dropped their loads across the team’s position. The team was outnumbered almost 100 to 1. During this incident, 6 of the 7 helicopters attempting to extract the team were hit as was one A-1 Sky raider. The only survivor, a Vietnamese interpreter Bui Kim Tien, reports that SFC Williams told him "Jones is dying and Ray (Echevarria) is the same way. Tien further reported he had evaded the enemy with SFC Williams who had been wounded in the thigh after 2 Americans had been killed and last saw him on 4 Oct when Williams sent him to check some caves, at which point Tien was spotted and forced to run from the area. Searches were conducted on 4, 5, & 6 Oct with negative result. A month later, an enemy POW reported he had seen a black man with a wounded thigh, hands tied behind his back and a noose around his neck, being led through villages for public mockery until he was too weak to walk, he was then executed.

10 Oct 66- Charles Borowsky, SFC E-7, USASF, B-53, KIA on Security Patrol (?) details not known-KIA

13 Oct 66, Charles R. Vessel, SFC E-7 and Fedrick H. Lewis, SFC E-7, USASF, and forty Nungs Commandos of FOB-2, Kontum, Operation Crimson Tide, KIA (Lewis Smith reports: Fredrick was known as "Huckleberry" due to the straw hat he wore and both were part of a mission, which is credited as being the first to attempt to recover an American POW (USAF Captain Carl E. Jackson), being held by the Viet Cong at one of their R&R center located at Soc Trang. A SOG size company element was formed and commanded by Captain Frank Jaks, a Czechoslovakia by birth, and tasked with the rescue mission. Vessel and Lewis were part of the 3^rd Platoon. Their helicopters landed them directly in front of two heavily armed Viet Cong Battalions and the 306 NVA regiment with an estimated 1,000 soldiers. The entire 3^rd Platoon was annihilated.

22 Oct 66- Michael R. Newbern, SSG E-6, and Boyd W. Anderson, SGT E-5, USASF, B-56, Recon mission-KIA

1967

22 Jan 67- Rowland E. Gibson, SSG E-6, USASF, C&C, Spike Team IN-KIA

03 Feb 67, Casimir Niespodziany, 1LT 0-2, USASF, KIA-RR, MACV-SOG Ops 35

07 Feb 67, George K Sisler, lLt 0-2, Dexter MO, USASF, FOB 2 Kontum, Ops 35, MACV SOG, KIA-RR (Medal of Honor Winner) Exploitation Force PIt Ldr; also James H Duncan, SFC E-7, USASF, KIA has been indicated as being on the mission with George K. Sisler who was KIA on same date (?) (Exploitation Force Plt Ldr, when his EF was hit on 3 sides by a Company size element. Lt Sisler distinguished himself by exposing himself repeatedly while rescuing his wounded men and killing the enemy in the process. When the Plt came under an extremely heavy attack, he picked up grenades and charged the enemy single handedly, firing his weapon and throwing hand grenades, which broke the enemy’s assault, compelling the enemy to withdraw. He continued to move about the battlefield directing fire. Sisler stood to direct gun ships when a sniper’s round cut him down. He died there. George Sisler was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

21 Feb 67, Domingo R. S. Borja, SFC E-7, USASF, MACV-SOG, Ops 35, KIA-RR

06 Mar 67, Howard B Carpenter,, SGT E-5, Youngstown, OH, USASF, MACV-SOG, Ops 35 along with an unknown named and number of other members of a Hatchet Force of SF Det B-5O, Project "Omega," FOB-2, Ops-35 all KIA-bodies not recovered (On operation in the Tri Border area, his HF Company came under hostile fire. SGT Carpenter left the safety of his defensive position to recover wounded team members. He immediately came into contact with 3 enemy soldiers where he killed two of them then his weapon jammed and he was shot killing him instantly. Because of the adverse situation caused by continued enemy attacks and the other wounded, the Hatchet Force Company had to leave the dead behind)

23 Mar 67 Paul A Conroy, Jr, SFC E-7, USASF, C&C Det, Kham Duc, Nung Camp, Ops 35, KIA-RR (Killed when a white phosphorus grenade exploded in his hand during a training exercise).

25 Mar 67 Richard Legate, Cpt 0-3, and Albert C Files, Jr, SGT E-S, USASF, Spike Team, FOB 2 Kontum, Ops 35, KIA-RR (Cpt Legate was hit by an enemy round, which severed his femoral artery causing him to lose a large amount of blood. Legate became unconsciousness and died. SGT Files also died during the fire fight).

31 Mar 67 Robert L Baldwin, Maj 04, US Air Force, UH-1 Helicopter pilot, KIA-RR (His helicopter was lowering ammunition to an Omega Recon Team when he was hit in the chest by a 12.7 mm enemy round. The Co-pilot [new and inexperienced] was stunned, sat frozen and unable to react causing the aircraft to crash]

03 May 67 James P Meade, Jr, WO, UH-IH Pilot, Ops 32 (Air Studies Branch) KIA RR as a result of SOG operations.

03-04 Jun 67 Ronald James Dexter SFC E-7, Abilene, TX; Billy Ray Laney, SFC E-7, Green Acres City, FL - US Army Special Forces and an unknown number of SCU Hatchet Force, FOB 1, Phu Bai, Ops 35; and Stephen P. Hanson, Cpt 03, Pilot, Restful Lake, OH; John 0. Gardner, 1LT 0-3, CO-Pilot, Restful Lake, OH; and Timothy R. Bodden, SGT E-5, Crew Chief, Downer Grove, ILL- Members of The United States Marines Corps Aviation, HNMI65, CH46 Helicopter Crew "Shark Three" Khe Sahn Launch Site, FOB 1, Ops 32 were MIA-Presumptive finding of death. (A total of 23 Americans were lost; SOG raiders, Air Force and Marine Pilots and crewman--plus twice as many Nungs). A company size hatchet force raid, commanded by Maj Jerry Kilburn, operating in Oscar 8 target area, 18-22 KM SE of Khe Sanh, at an azimuth of 220 degrees, and near Route #922, which contained the largest depot outside of Hanoi, well defended with belts of antiaircraft guns. The Hatchet Force (HF) arrived at Khe Sanh, remained overnight at the Launch Site, and inserted early in the morning. The terrain favored the enemy and the area was within a horseshoe type land mass. Several hundred SPAR (Special Agent Reports) had been intercepted from the target area within a 24 hour period. These radio transmissions were originated by the NVA and were possibly associated with the Commanding General of their Army Nuyen Van Gaip. At 0545, SGM Billy William D. "Billy" Waugh boarded an 0-2 aircraft to fly FAC as the Covey Rider, flying toward the target, staying in the "Gray Forrest" area along Route #222. At about 0630, the FAC observed the Condensation Trails of nine (9) B-52's. The FAC performed 360's as the B-52 dropped their load, FAC flew over the target area, noticed several secondary fires, and actually watched as the NVA rolled what appeared to be-barrels of gasoline from one of the burning areas. The NVA were swarming, and immediately took the FAC aircraft under fire with what was probably a set of 12.7 AA guns. The FAC "hauled ass" away from the area, and sent a transmission to "scratch the infil, as the area was crawling with pissed-off NVA." Too late, the transmission did not make it in time. Due to the high hill range, just to the North of the LZ, transmissions to the launch site were not completed. The raid began with an Arc Light, and as soon as the Arc Light was over, the raider company arrived with the mission to conduct a BDA of the arc light bombing, capture any WIA NVA, and capture any NVA equipment in the area. The very first Marine HUEY Gun ship across the intended LZ and was shot down to the south of the LZ. The first CH-47 (Chinook) with troops, was noticed landing just to the North of the intended LZ, this bird was shot down as it lowered to the LZ and broke into two pieces on impact. A second Chinook attempted landing, and was also shot down, An H-34 (SOG rescue bird) came into the area, to infiltrate troops, and was shot down, landing to the South of Route "922. The crew were seen fleeing from this bird, to the West (Subsequently rescued). The approximate 100 SOG men that were inserted were surrounded and had taken cover in a few bomb craters. SFC Laney was last seen by SFC Wilklow, wounded in the back after boarding the a helicopter, the aircraft was hit by enemy fire, then the pilot was shot, and it veered out of control and crashed. After the aircraft crashed, it continued to receive heavy fire, however, many of the personnel were rescued. SFC Laney was last seen still in the helicopter chest shot and probably dead. Due to the enemy situation, he was not recovered and a later search produced negative results . Two A-1E’s came into the area, firing their guns, dropping napalm as requested by the Team Leader. One of the A-1E’s was shot through by a hail of green tracers, and rolled over-crashing without a parachute. The 2^nd A-1E was shot almost to pieces, but the fine pilot managed to land that bird at the Khe Sanh airstrip (a hell of a feat). Two F-4's were performing close air support, with one being blasted right in his forward portion, causing that bird to crash. All this occurred within 30 minutes of the insert. During the initial day of insert, rescue attempts were made to recover the WIA. Early morning of the second day, the remainder of the Hatchet Force members were picked up. The NVA were silent that day, as it appeared the NVA were encouraging an exfiltration due to the 30-50 airstrikes they had endured. SFC Dexter was last seen exiting a downed CH-46 helicopter and taken as a Prisoner of War, but never reached North Vietnam alive. A report obtained from a captured Nung Commando who was later released tells of Cpt Hanson, Lt Gardner, and Sgt Bodden being executed by the North Vietnamese Soldiers. Of the six Americans MIAs, only USMC Lance Corporal Frank E. Cius, Jr. was confirmed by Hanoi. After Cius’s release in 1973, he told Dexter’s brother that Ronald Dexter had been captured but died in enemy hands. Note: SFC Charles Wilklow was wounded and in enemy hands. The enemy used him as bait to try and bring in aircraft to rescue him. The enemy tended to ignore him, thinking he was no risk due to his condition. He had observed NVA in formations, giving orders, etc., expecting to die any minute. After the 4^th day with maggots in his open wound, barely clinging to life, he somehow managed to crawl away during the night. Around mid day, the following day a FAC flew overhead and SGM Waugh observed a body with a panel over it and when the FAC made a second pass, the body sat up and SGM Waugh recognized it was an American. When Wilklow came to, he was looking into the face of SSG Roy Pace, a Black American, who had performed a one man bright light by repelling in to rescue him. Wilklow was wearing a STABO rig and was extracted by string.

15 Jun 67- Ben D. Snowden, SFC E-7 (MSG E-8?), USASF, B-56-KIA-RR and One unknown A-1 Skyraider pilot-MIA-Presumptive finding of Death. Snowden, a passenger in a CH-34 Kingbee attempting to rescue recon team that technically belonged to project Omega consisting of two Americans and four Nungs who were surrounded by an enemy force. The enemy had the team surrounded, but was not interested in destroying them. The team was bait to draw in a helicopter. Due to the steep slopes, the helicopter required a passenger to help load the team. Just as the team leader lifted one of his Nungs up to the helicopter, a massive volume of fire erupted from a fixed, hidden machine gun hitting the aircraft. The helicopter groggily rocked and lifted away somehow making it back to SOG’s Dak To launch site, riddled with sixty-eight bullet holes, its engine out, it slammed into a ditch. Snowden had been hit by nine times and had died. The A-1 was a propeller driven aircraft, but saved the day for the team, it received the exact heading to the hidden machine gun from the team, rolled in, banked above the team and executed a bombing run, dropping a shiny canister that spun end over end just above the team, spewing jellied gasoline into the small cave mouth which provided cover for the machine gun, the napalm flashed eliminating the machine gun allowing the team to be rescued. When the A-1 was pulling away from the bomb run, it continued taking fire until it belched smoke, nose up, with the pilot ejecting and the canopy fall away with the parachute drifting into the NVA positions. The team was rescued by the same pilot who piloted the helicopter that was shot up, who insisted on flying the rescue mission because he knew the terrain.

03 Jul 67 Leo Earl Seymour, SGT E5, Towanda, Penn, USASF Spike Team Leader of ST Texas, FOB 1, Phu Bai, Ops 35 Recon patrol in Laos MIA-Presumptive finding of death. (SGT Seymour called in two air strikes on a discovered Viet Cong position. After the air strikes, the team was directed to make a Bomb Damage Assessment [BDA] but decided to set up an ambush on a trail junction 11 miles inside of Laos northwest of Ben Het in the Dale Xow River Valley. Before the ambush location could be completed, two large hostile columns converged and noticed a propaganda poster tacked to a tree that had not been there before and began a search of the area, spotting the forward security element of the team which opened fire on the hostile force and the team came under heavy enemy fire. The team retreated to a defensive position, and again came under enemy fire. The team conducted an E&E maneuver. No one saw Sgt Seymour after the defensive position came under attack. No search was made due to the heavy enemy activity in the area).

12 Jul 67 Samuel Almendariz, SFC 3-7, McAllen, TX and Robert Jospeh Sullivan, SFC E-7, East Almstead, NH, USASF Spike Team Members, FOB 1, Phu Bai, Ops 35 Recon mission of Savanakhet Province, Laos KIA-Remains Not Recovered. (The team came under an attack that lasted for four hours with a superior force. The only surviving American reported that both SFC Almendariz and SFC Sullivan had been mortally wounded. The team was ambushed, not by men firing weapons, but NVA who leaped out of nowhere. One NVA wrestled Sullivan’s weapon from him, then shot him dead, spun around and shot SFC Harry Brown through the shoulder, as another NVA shot Almendaiz dead. Brown and half the team broke away and ran and was able to get a radio message off. During the rescue of Brown and the remainder of the team, a single Kingbee flown by Cowboy with MSG Charles Minnick without fire support and a shot up aircraft (The bird had been shot up on the first attempt, returned to Khe Sanh for refueling) A search conducted on 16 July of the area. No remains were located), Cowboy was shot through the neck, but somehow, he flew the Kingbee with one hand and slowed the bleeding with the other while Minnick dragged the wounded aboard. A search team was inserted on Jul 16, but was unsuccessful in locating either Americans. NOTE: The legendary "Bill Waugh" felt Cowboy’s valor should have won him the Medal of Honor.

03 Aug 67- Arthur H. Green, 1LT 0-2, USASF, B-56-KIA

23 Aug 67 Derex Williams Jr., Cpt 03, US Air Force, Pilot, "Covey," 2O^th Tac Air Support, Da Nang Air Base, Ops 32 KIA-RR when his aircraft crashed at the Khe Sahn airstrip after returning from visual recon mission in Laos.

08 Sep 67- Albert F. Sayer, Jr., CPT 0-3, USAF, FAC, C&C-KIA

09 Sep 67- William E. Lawson, SFC E-7, USASF, FOB-1, Spike Team MI, Assistant Team Leader-KIA

11 Oct 67- Glen Locklear, MSG E-8, USASF, FOB-1, Plt Ldr-KIA

Ol Nov 67 Frank Ray Noe, SFC E-7, of Kerman, CA who moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas at age of 15, enlisted in US Navy at the age of 17; after four years enlisted in the US Army and joined the Special Forces. According to official military notification of death records to family, Noe was KIA in South Viet Nam as a member of Special Forces Detachment A-502 but after release of secret military documents it was discovered he was KIA-RR on a recon mission in Laos along with Don Albert Hawkins, SGT E-5, and David A. Woods who was killed the following day, all of whom were serving as Spike Team Members, FOB 1, Phu Bai, Ops 35 (The team discovered a gray, enemy communications wire and were directed to place a "Tap" on it. However, due to heavy enemy activity in the area, the team decided to "cut" the wire. The enemy sent out an element to check the wire and discovered the team resulting in a fierce fire fight. SFC Noe and SGT Hawkins were killed on 1 Nov and SFC Woods was killed on 2 Nov. A SGT Brown was wounded in the shoulder and managed to escape and was rescued). See individual memorial this site

01 Nov 67- Ferdinand J. Quatrone, SFC E-7, USASF, KIA Unit unidentified

02 Nov 67 David Alexander Woods, SFC E-7, KIA-RR, was a member of the same Spike Team with Noe and Hawkins who were KIA the day before.

09 Nov 67 Bruce Raymond Baxter, MSG E-8, Lowell, Mass, Spike Team Leader; Jospeh George Kusick, SGT E-5, Bruin, Penn, Spike Team Radio Operator; USASF FOB 1, Phu Bal, Ops 35 and Six Indigenous Team Members; operating behind enemy lines in Laos along with John William Armstrong, LTC 05, Dallas, TX, Ralph Wayne Brower, Cpt 03, Stow, OH, Eugene Lunsford Clay, SSG E-5, and Larry Wayne Maysey, SGT E-5, Chester, NJ members of US Air Force, HH3, Jolly Green 26, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, Ops 32/80 All were KIA-Remains Not Recovered. (Chip Fleming, aks: Allen F., Jr. writes: I was with RT Utah during this operation. A SGT {name ?} and I were on our first Spike Team mission after graduating from training in Kham Duc when the team was hit by a reinforced company (we though at the time) while in our RON site. The SGT, me and 3 to 5 indig(?) got out on the first chopper during a night extraction-most of us were wounded. The others team members were KIA when their chopper was either shot down or damaged during the extraction. Air Force guys from NKP were also shot down later while trying to extract the remainder of the team in their Jolly Greens and possibly one Air Force Pilot won the MOH [Cpt Gerald O. Young, USAF won the Medal Of Honor that day for his extraordinary heroism, aggressiveness, and concern for his fellow man]. The first extraction was by Jolly Green 29 before being driven off by enemy fire. Jolly Green 26 (came in about 20 minutes later and picked up MSG Baxter and SGT Kusick, while lifting off was hit by automatic weapons fire and crashed. A recover team was inserted, found three charred remains, two had ID tags and were identified as members of the aircrew. The 3^rd had no tag, but was identified as SGT Kusick, radio operator as the AN/PRC 25 radio antenna was found with these remains. Another set of remains were located away from the down chopper and identified as a member of the recon element. However, due to adverse weather conditions and enemy activity, the remains could not be recovered ).

10 Nov 67 Michael A. Hoglund, SGT E-5, USASF, FOB 2, Kontum, Radio Operator, Project Omega (13-50), Killed by SFC Allen, a friend, in an argument over a female. (Shot with a 9mm pistol through a screened window of the Project Omega Bldg, FOB2. Due to the secrecy of SOG, the killer, SFC Allen was fined a carton of cigarettes and reassigned from SOG suffering no further punishment).

15 Dec 67 Dan Wagner, Jr. SFC E-7, USASF, FOB 2, Kontum, Tm Ldr, RT Nevada, KIA-RR. (See Kedenburg, KIA 13 Jun 68)

16 Dec 67 Austin R. Von Kieist, SFC E-7, USASF, FOB I Phu Bai, Ops 35 KIA-RR.

21 DEC 67 Lee D. Scurlock, Jr., SSG E-6, Restful Lake, OH, USASF, FOB 1, Phu Bal, Ops 35, Recon Team operating in Laos, MIA-Presumptive finding of death. (SSG Scurlock was a member of a team operating 18 miles west of Vietnam, on the Laotian-Cambodian boundary of the tri-border region, which had come under heavy enemy fire from the front and rear, rescue could not be made by landing due to adverse terrain conditions; thus, a rope ladder was deployed by the 119^th Aviation Company (Gator 376). As the last man to be rescued, SSG Scurlock began to climb the ladder, after the 3^rd rung on the 1^st attempt, lost his grip, removed his rucksack and radio then began to climb slowly, appearing weak and possibly wounded, encouraged by the door gunner he climbed to almost to the point of reaching outstretched hands to give him help, he fell off the ladder fifty feet to the ground, landed on his neck and head, rolled down the hillside and was stopped by a small tree.. It is reported Scurlock was thrown from the ladder when the aircraft’s windshield exploded because of enemy fire causing the pilot to jerk the aircraft. Heavy enemy activity precluded recovery and a later search of the area did not find SSG Scurlock).

29 Dec 67 Donald E. Fisher, LTC 05, of Halfway, Org; Charles Peter Claxton, MAJ 04, of Chicago, ILL; Edwin Neims Osborne, Jr., CPT 03 of Ralford, FL; Frank C. Parker III, CPT 03 of Bridgeport, Penn; Gerald Gordon Van Buren, CPT 03 of Toledo, OH; Gordon J. Wenaas, CPT 03 of Mayville, ND; Jack McCrary, SSG E-5 of Madison, Tenn; Gean Preston Clapper,SGT E-5 of Altoona, Penn; Edward Jospeh Darcy, SGT E-5 of Portlandm Org; Wayne Allen Eckley, SGT E-5 of Enterprise, Org; and James R. Williams, SGT E of Charlotte, NC all USAF, Air Crew, C- 130, "Combat Talon", l4^th Special Operations Wing, Ops 32/75, Nha Trang-Performing aerial resupply mission over North Vietnam they never returned MIA-Remains not recovered.

1968

04 Jan 68- Paul H. Villa Rosa, SFC E-7, Recon Tm Ldr, David R. Simons, SGT E-5; Ronald R.Watson, Sp/4 E-4; Frank 0. Taboada, PFC E-3; FOB 4, Da Nang, Ops 35, USASF. During a Recon mission in Laos, the team was fiercely attacked by the enemy who used flame throwers against the team. All KIA-RR. (SFC Villa Rosa was killed by the flame thrower).

05 Jan 68-John Gallagher, SSG E-6 of Hamden, Conn, USASF, Spike Team Ldr, FOB-3, Khe Sanh, Ops 35, and Dennis C. Hamilton, WOl, Pilot, of Barnes City, Iowa; Sheldon D. Schultz, WOI, Pilot, of Altoona, PA; Earnest Frank Bridggs, Jr., SFC E-7, Crew chief, of Devine, TX and James D. Willamson, SP/4, Door Gunner of Tumwater, Washington assigned to 411^th Transportation Detch, 178th Avn Co, 14th Avn Bn, Americal Division, Ops 32/75 (Air Studies Branch/Group) all MIA’s (The helicopter was 20 miles inside Laos south of Lao Bao and about 4,000 feet when it was observed to be hit by ground fire and exploded and burst into flames upon impact with the ground. Four attempts was made into the area but had to be aborted due to heavy enemy fire; however, no part of the aircraft was recognizable, finally a team was inserted several days later and found nothing). NOTE: Another source says the helicopter was 2,000 feet and hit by 37mm anti-aircraft fire.

12 Jan 68, James Derwin Cohron, SSG E-6, USASF and two Vietnamese Team Members (Names unknown), Spike Team "Indiana," FOB-1, Phu Bai, Ops 35, Spike Team Members on Recon in Laos when ambushed. MIA Presumptive finding of death. (The team moved to a predetermined location at which time SSG Cohron and the two Vietnamese were unaccounted for. Cohron was the second man from the rear of the team formation, when the team was ambushed, 1 mile inside Laos, south of Khe Sanh. Initially, the team broke contact and set up a defensive position on a small hill, after evading through a gully. The terrain was heavily vegetated with "elephant grass" which obstructed the teams view of Cohron as well as well as their ability to effect any contact with him. Air Support was requested and the team being extracted. Two days later a search team was inserted and these three individuals were not found).

17 Jan 68-Samuel F. Bench (Officer, rank unknown), USAF, 20^th Tactical Air Support, 0-1E Pilot, FAC "Covey," Ops 32 (Air Studies Branch), Killed in the crash when trying to land at the Khe Sanh airstrip. KIA-RR.

29 Jan 68- Michael T. Mahoney, SP/5, and Two Bru Montagnards, FOB-3, Khe Sanh, Ops 35, KIA, Remains not recovered (while on local patrol was surprised by a large enemy force and received heavy enemy automatic weapons fire, which caused the patrol to split into smaller groups to escape the battlefield. SP/5 Mahoney and the two commando’s deaths were reported by radio, but due to enemy activity, their remains could not be carried by the other soldiers).

29 Jan 68- Charles Nichol Tredinnick, SFC E-7, FOB-3, Khe Sanh, Ops 35, Special Forces Det A-21 "Snake Bite" team 1st SFG Okinawa. KIA-RR (While on an "Operation Pick-up" recovery force. SFC Tredinnick led a five men assault on an enemy position capturing high ground when he saw an enemy platoon size element maneuvering to split the FOB element in half, he fired on the attacking enemy forcing them to retreat. Another American was shot and with complete disregard for his own safety exposed himself to a hail of enemy fire and ran 40 meters and dragged the wounded American to safety and when that position was threatened, he again exposed himself to a hail of enemy fire when he was mortally wounded).

29 Jan 68- Gary L. Crone_ SSG E-6 USASF FOB-3, Khe Sanh, Ops 35, Assistant Senior Medic at FOB-3, due to leave country on 30 Jan 68, KIA-RR. (SSG Crone volunteered for a local recon mission in an area outside but near the camp. During a firefight with a superior enemy force, he was captured and executed. He was subsequently intentionally decapitated by the enemy and abandoned for discovery-SSG Crone death was a calculated execution).

29 Jan 68- Charles Edward White, SFC E-7, of Bessemer, AL, USASF Medic, FOB-5, Ban Me Thuot, Ops 35.MIA-Presumptive finding of death. (The Recon team had made contact with the enemy and had shot their way out and was in the process of being extracted 16 miles inside Cambodia west of Kontum via McGuire Rig with team members Nang and Khong when SFC White reported over the radio, "I'm having a problem with the rig." A passenger on the helicopter looked out and saw SFC White fall into the jungle below from 200 feet. He was a large man, 6'4", 28 lbs. After getting into the rig and as the chopper started lifting off, he turned upside down and fell away. A search team was inserted to look for him the following day, which discovered a path that a falling body made through the jungle canopy into thick bamboo, which was surmised as being enough foliage to have safely broken his fall, however, no trace was ever found of him. Due to increased enemy activity no further search was possible. Although, the Defense Department officially listed him as dead, Fred Zabitosky’s bright light team felt he was still alive and a POW. White had only 3 days left in country before being rotated back home).

02 Feb 68- Gilbert L. Harnllton, SFC E-7, USASF, Spike Team, Ops 35 while on a recon in Laos, the team came under fire from a superior enemy force. KIA-RR

19 Feb 68- Douglas J Grover, SSG E-6 of Cortland, NY, USASF, FOB-2, Kontum, Ops 35 and Melvin C. Dye, SGT E-5 of Carelton, Mich and Robert S. Griffith, SGT E-5, of Hapevile, GA, door gunners,, and four SCUTeam Members, RT Main; MIA, Presumptive finding of death. an unidentified pilot Died of wounds. Grover was the team leader (One-Zero) with Fred Zabitosky "Zab" as the One-One, and Purcell Bragg as the One-Two and six SCU were inserted into a target Zulu Nine in the Bra, (Zab was the official 1-0; however, for this mission the role was reversed). The team discovered a bunker, which NVA ran to man and began firing on the team. Glover relinquished the one-zero status to Zab. Zab directed Grover to take the team back to the LZ while he initiated a delaying action. Shortly thereafter, a NVA platoon came upon Zab’s delaying action and he stopped them with claymores, grenades, and his CAR 15. Zab then joined the remainder of the team at the LZ, with Grover calling in air strikes. The team was fighting off a large assault and the enemy’s numbers were growing with four NVA companies converging on the team. Two Hueys arrived and Brag with two of the SCU boarded and were lifted off to safety. Zab and Glover and four SCU boarded the second Huey and it lifted off, almost clearing the LZ when it was hit by an RPG sending the helicopter spinning the tail boom into the main rotor and splitting the helicopter into two pieces and crashing into the ground ablaze in flames. Zab was thrown clear, but and as he regained consciousness he found his clothes on fire. He suffered severe burns, shrapnel wounds and several crushed vertebrae and ribs. Rolling to extinguishing the burning clothing he was able to extinguish his burning clothing. The pilot and copilot were still strapped in their seats in the burning in helicopter which had snapped into behind the pilot’s section. The troop compartment was in completely inflamed and the final cries of the men trapped therein were heard by Zab, but there was nothing he could do. Realizing the flames had not completely engulfed the pilots, Zab, utilizing everything he had and entered into the flames to recover the copilot who had all his clothing burnt off and then returned to rescue the pilot. Movement was observed on the ground by another SOG soldier (Luke Nance) who was aboard a Huey flying above the downed helicopter. This helicopter made a decent and began engaging the enemy. The SOG soldier jumped from the helicopter and joined Zab in a fire fight with the enemy and rescuing the pilot and copilot together. One of the pilots died of the wounds which had covered 85% of his body.

21 Feb 68- Paul Melvin Douglas, SSG E-6, US Army Long Range Reconnaissance Spike Team Leader, FOB-3 Khe Sanh, Ops 35, KIA-RR. Presumptive finding of death (SSG Douglas was not a member of SF nor Airborne qualified, however, he had volunteered for SOG and based upon his vast Recon experience, a man who had proven himself and assigned to FOB 3 where he was killed by an enemy mortar round explosion just after rising from a night's sleep, he removed his protective flak vest in order to change into a shirt for day time duty uniform and was in the process of slipping off the sweater when the mortar round exploded).

21 Feb 68- Robert N. Baker, SFC E-7, USASF, FOB1-KIA

27 Feb 68- Duane H. Snyder, SFC E7, USASF, B-56, 1^ST Co Cmdr-KIA

29 Feb 68- Harold C. Whittaker, SSG E-6, USASF, B-50-Recon Mission-KIA

01 Mar 68- Jeffery McClatchy, Jr, SP/5, USASF, Snake Bite Team, 1st SFGA, Okinawa, Hatchet Force Advisor, FOB 3, Khe Sanh, Ops 35, KIA-RR (SP/5 McClatchy was killed by his own claymore while on security patrol outside of FOB-3).

06 Mar 68- Robert Lopez, Maj 04 of Seattle, WA, USASF, Comrnander FOB-I, Phu Bai, Ops 35 with William Henry Seward, Maj 04, USMC of Atlanta, GA and Gary Lewis Colombo, Lance Corporal (LPCL, E-4), USMC, Aviation Branch, Ops 32 (Air Studies Branch) were aboard a CH-46. Maj Lopez-KIA-RR, Maj Seward and LPCL Colombo KIA-Remains not recovered (Their helicopter was the lead helicopter of a flight of two CH-46's that was supporting a SOG insertion attempt. Their aircraft was hovering above an 80' canopy and started receiving enemy fire and stared to descent then fell to the earth, exploded, and burned).

22 Mar 68- Estevan Torres, SFC E-7, Recon Tm Ldr; Linwood Martin, SFC E-7, Asst Tm Ldr; John C. Wells, SP/4, Recon Tm Radio Operator, USASF and "Scouts" member, names and ranks not known), FOB 5, Ban Me Thuot, Ops 35. KIA'S-RR (The team was conducting Recon mission in Northern Cambodia. The team destroyed by enemy action. FOB-5's first men to die. The camp was named "Camp Torres" in honor of the team leader).

27 Mar 68- Johnny C. Calhoun, SSG E-6 of Newman, GA, USASF, FOB-I, OPS 35,KIA-Remains not recovered (While awaiting extraction from a successful recon mission in Laos, the team was attacked by a superior enemy force 1-1/2 miles inside Laos south of Ta Bat in the A Shau Valley.. SSG Calhoun ordered a withdrawal and stood between the team and enemy providing cover fire for the rest of the patrol and while ordering the other five members of the team to withdraw, he was hit 3 times in the chest and stomach, fell to the ground and not move( witnessed by Ho-Thong, interpreter, Calhoun slumped to the ground, pulled the pin from a grenade, clutched it to explode among the advancing enemy). His ultimate fate is unknown because of the actual retreat of the survivors. Twenty six hours after initial contact, the team was finally extracted. Due to enemy hostilities, a further search for SSG Calhoun was not made).

28 Mar 68- George "Ron" Brown, SFC E-7 of Holly Hill, FL; Alan "Al" Lee Boyer, SGT E-5 of Missoula, Monana; Charles Gregory "Greg" Huston of Sidney, OH, USASF, Spike Team ASP, FOB-4, Da Nang, Ops 35, MIA-Presumptive finding of death (On a recon mission 20 Kilometers northeast of Tchepone, Laos. These three Americans were being extracted by rope ladder due to the terrain preventing landing, these individuals were on the rope ladder when the CH-34 helicopter came under intense enemy fire and the helicopter had to depart when the ladder became caught in the trees and had to be cut away. When last seen these three individuals were seen alive and appeared to be unharmed. A search team was inserted on 01 Apr 68 but failed to find any evidence of the three Americans. ST Asp consisted of three Americans and six (seven) indigs. They were assigned to FOB 4 but launched out of NKP. They were inserted by chopper (AF 20^th Helicopter Squadron call sign "Pony Express" CH-3(?) On a wire-tap mission several klicks NE of Tchepone. Around 11AM local time on the 28^th, they were compromised and requested emergency extraction. The Pony Express chopper could not land and lowered a rope ladder. Five of the six indig successfully climbed the ladder to the chopper. As the sixth indig was going up, Boyer started up. At this point the ladder either broke or was cut by ground fire and the indig and Boyer fell back to earth. According to the chase medic on the extraction chopper, SGT Dave Mayberry [also from FOB 4], his last sighting of Brown and Huston before turning his back to treat one of the wounded was that they were still alive and returning fire. That was the last they were seen. The Pony Express chopper apparently did not try another extraction and requested assistance. Several Jolly Greens were placed on stand-by at NKP to help and others were diverted from another mission. In addition, several A-1 Sandies were alerted. By early afternoon, there was no further communication with the team and the follow-up rescue effort was called off. This would lead me to believe there was no air support involved in the extraction attempt. On 1 April SGT Chuck Feller [also from FOB 4] launched out of NKP on a mission to search for Asp. They were inserted by Pony Express and immediately came into contact with enemy forces. Feller called for an emergency extraction and a ladder had to be used. In fact, one of his indigs dangled from the ladder all the way back to NKP. While on the ground, they found no evidence of Asp.-email, 9/27/99, John Kull). NOTE: RT ASP WAS ALSO COMPLETELY LOST AGAIN ON 10 MAY 71.

04 Apr 68- Robert L. Taylor, SFC E-7, USASF, Spike Team "Bear" Team #7, FOB-3, Khe Sanh, Ops 35, Originally listed as MIA but the finding changed to KIA-RR

10 Apr 68- Samuel Jospeh Padgett, SFC E-7 of Tulsa, Oklahoma, George N Deverall, CPT 0-3; Aubey A. Bryan, SFC E-7; Charles F. Wilcox, Jr. SFC E-7, USASF, FOB-4, Da Nang, Ops 35; Crecencio Cardosa, SFC E-7; and a Vietnamese Pilot, Co-Pilot and door gunner, names and ranks unknown CH-34 (Kingbee) Aircrew, Vietnamese Air Force, 2l9^th Vietnamese Helicopter Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, Ops 32. All KIA-RR and identified except for SFC Padgett who is listed as MIA-Presumptive finding of death. (Aircraft was caring five newly assigned team leaders from FOB-4 to MAC SOG Recon School at Kham Duc when the aircraft was disabled by enemy fire and crashed and burned).

14 Apr 68- George Quamo, Maj 0-4, US Army Infantry, Project Elephant Commander, FOB-3, OPS 35 and a Vietnamese U-17 Pilot and Co-Pilot, Vietnamese Air Force, Da Nang Air Base, Ops 32. KIA-RR(While transporting SOG documents, he was picked up by two Vietnamese pilots at the Khe Sanh Airstrip and has not been heard from since. He graduated from High School in Averill Park, NY, 1958, enlisted in the Army and attended OCS, Airborne, Pathfinder, and Ranger training. MIA-(Note; Jun 26, 7 4 three bodies and the wreckage of a U-17 aircraft were recovered and the remains of Maj Ouamo was positively identified).

15 Apr 68- Charles M. Corry, S/5; Daniel F. Sandoval, SP/5 and Dennis R. Thorpe, SGT E-5, FOB-3, Khe Sanh, Ops 35, KIA inside the compound by rocket shrapnel. KIA-RR

18 Apr 68- Stefan Mazak, SFC E-7, USASF, 5th SFGA, Ops 35. KIA-RR

21 APR 68- Samuel R. Hughes, SP/5, USASF, FOB-3, Khe Sanh, Snake Bite Team, 1st SFGA, Okinawa, Ops 35. (Killed due to shrapnel and had been slightly injured on four previous occasions inside the FOB-3 compound and had solicited SFC Robert Skully, senior medic for Purple Hearts, he held a dubious FOB record and had received five purple hearts for injuries inside the FOB-3).

May 68- Vietnamese Kingbee Pilot known as "Cowboy", (Real name unknown) Captain, 219^th Vietnamese Helicopter Squadron, Ops 32. (Volunteered to extract a SOG Recon Team in trouble and needed emergency extraction in Laos when the all US helicopter pilots refused to attempt the extraction. Cowboy made the extraction saving the entire team and delivered them to FOB-2, Kontum, and when attempting to return to his base, became disoriented in the heavy overcast and crashed into a mountain- KIA. Cowboy was involved with in the extraction of the 1^st SOG recon mission during 1965. [From all SOG members: We pray for his soul and may his spirit soar in the heavens. Seconded by Tom Hunter]).

01 May 68- Joseph L. Shreve, 1LT 0-2, USASF, FOB-2, Plt Ldr-KIA

02 May 68- Leory N. Wright, SFC E-7 and Lloyd F. Mousseau, SSG E-6, USASF, and four (+) SCU Nungs, B-56, Recon Mission-KIA The team of three Americans and nine SCU Nungs was inserted into the Fishhook, Cambodia. Immediately upon insertion, engaged an enemy squad, shooting their way clear only to be engaged by a platoon size element a half hour later. The team was able to work their way back to the LZ; however, due to a massive number of NVA and heavy enemy fire pinned the team down and forced away any rescue attempt. The team was now engaged by several enemy companies using mortars, RPG, and machine guns. The team leader, Leory Wright was struck in the head by a single enemy AK bullet, killing him. Lloyd Moussea, one-one, and Brian O’Conner, one-two, were wounded several times. Half of the SCU Nungs were dead and the other half wounded. A one-man bright light team arrived, Roy Benavides, a heavy set Yaqui Indian, wounded immediately in the leg, continuing his rescue, bandaged the wounds and injecting morphine the best he could as he called in air strikes when wounded in the thigh. As he attempted to recover Wright’s body, he was wounded again through a lung, he pulled himself to his feet to discover a Huey lying on it’s side. Benavides, then stumbled to LZ to assist those survivors and was shot again. Five minutes later, Benavides was shot once more and another aircraft crashed. A lone helicopter then arrived with Ronald Sammons, a Green Beret medic, and assisted Benavides recover the crew members and members of the recon team. During this process, while carrying Mousseau, Benavides was clubbed in the head by an NVA AK, knocking Benavides to his knees only to be butt-stroked in the face and then bayoneted through his left arm by the NVA soldier. Mousseau died on the helicopter and Benevides survived to face a year of hospitalization mending a total of seven major gunshot wounds, twenty-eight shrapnel holes and a bayonet wound. Roy Benavides died December 1998 of those wounds he suffered so many years ago and I believe his last written correspondence was to me where he wrote on the 17^th day of November 1998, among other things he wrote: "I still have a dream which I look forward to fulfilling: as you know, Love for our Country and freedom for our loved ones runs deep in the American soldier’s blood. Prayerfully, I look forward to the time when a movie may be made of my life. There is so much to tell the American youth about struggles and perseverance that I firmly believe the real message could so easily reach them in a movie (story) of my life." Roy was the last recipient of the Medal Of Honor for the Vietnam War, being awarded to him by President Ronald Regan thirteen years after the fact.

04 May 68- Kenneth M. Cryan, SP/5, Assistant Tm, Paul Chester King, PFC E-3, Tm Radio Operator of Waltham, Mass USASF, Spike Team Alaska, FOB-1, Phu Bal, Ops 35 and Five Indigenous Team Members (Names unknown), MIA-Presumptive finding of death (Spike team Alaska was inserted on recon in the A Shau Valley, Laos to penetrate an area thought to conceal an NVA division. The team leader, John Allen, and a SCU Nung moved away from the team, creeping some distance and discovered enemy activity consistent to an NVA headquarters. They rejoined their team and attempted to move away from the location when they were detected by the enemy. The team was then engaged by the enemy as they went into a full run in an effort to evade, suddenly Cryan collapsed, holding his right thigh, grunting he’d be alright but could not stand. Cryan had been hit with an AK round which shattered his femur. One Nung was hit and died. The team then moved to a bomb crater, carrying Crayn and the dead Nung. The design of the crater afforded the team sufficient cover from direct fire to permit an adequate defense from direct attacks. King had been down in crater tending to the wounded Cryan and trying to establish radio contact with Covey as the team leader manned the defense with the Nungs, until a stalemate was achieved. King then made radio contact and the team leader moved down into the crater with King moving up to assume the defense. As the team leader began talking, King peeked over the brim of the crater and was immediately struck by a bullet, flipping him backwards, his skull blown away. The fight continued with Air support providing the required fire support by dropping 500 lb bombs, cluster bombs, and napalm. Huey’s arrived, but refused to extract the team because of the enemy activity in the area, even when the enemy was placed on the run by air support, the choppers refused to come to the team’s rescue. The fighting had continued into the hours of darkness. The enemy was throwing grenades into the crater and the team was picking them up and throwing them back into the enemy before they exploded. Now dawn was approaching, with the team leader railing the Nungs, as the NVA attempted a final assault. The team leader and the five Nungs stood at the critical moment to repel the assault, cutting down a line of NVA, seconds before they could over run the team. Within a few seconds, the assault was over and the team leader stood alone with one surviving Nung and the wounded Cryan. Finally, a Jolly Green arrived dropping a three-seated jungle penetrator but because of the thin air at the altitude, only two men could be extracted. The team leader remained, with Cryan and the Nung to be extracted. As the two men were being lifted out of the crater, the enemy focused all their fire power on the two individuals being hoisted away, killing them. The team leader then called an air strike on himself, he burred himself among the dead for protection. Once the bombing halted, the team leader slipped away from the crater, running directly into the enemy, killing many as he passed among them. Shortly a Kingbee came into to extract Allen, but was hit, crashed, and exploded. Using all his wit, the sole survivor of RT Alabama managed to finally evade the enemy and was rescued.

12 May 68- Ronald J Miller, SFC E-7, USASF, FOB-1, KIA while on a company-sized operation.

20 May 68- Robert D. Plato, MSG E-8, Hatchet Force, KIA-RR John Hartley Robertson, SFC E-7, USASF, FOB-1, Phu Bai, Ops 35 and a Vietnamese Pilot, Co-pilot, and door gunner names unknown) SFC Robertson and the Vietnamese, MIA-Presumptive finding of death. (These individuals were on a kingbee helicopter, CH34, 4 miles inside Laos, south of A Shau; on a medical evacuation helicopter and to resupply a recon team and hatchet force in combat with the enemy when the helicopter came under intense enemy fire, smashed into the trees, and caught fire in the A Shau Valley, Laos. SFC Robertson was the Covey rider who supported RT Alabama on 4 May 68).

23 May 68- Glenn Oliver Lane, SFC E-7 Tm Ldr, of Odessa, TX; Robert Duval Owen, SSG E-6 Radio Operator of Chatham, Mass; Nine Chinese Nung members names and ranks unknown of RT Idaho operating in Laos west of A Loui.. USASF, FOB-I, Phu Bai, Ops 35 are listed as KIA or captured, MIA Presumptive finding of death and one indigenous Recovery/Search team member of RT Oregon KIA. On May 20^th, a 12 man recon team was inserted during the morning hours and at 1024 hours made their last radio contact reporting they could not talk because they had NVA all around them. On May 22^nd, another 12 man recon team was inserted [RT Oregon] and detected an area about 50 meters away which showed signs of a fire fight with concussion grenades had exploded. This second team was attacked by a Company size element and was extracted with one indig killed and 7 members wounded.

30 May 68- Robert H. Sanders, SSG, E-6, USASF. 5th SFGA, Det B-56, Project SIGMA, FOB-6, Ho Ngoc Tao, Ops 35, KIA-RR (Killed by friendly helicopter fire as he was dressed in "black pajamas" and mistaken as an enemy soldier when he ran into an open field to signal and guide incoming helicopters. Due to the tactical situation, the pilot was firing at everyone in enemy uniforms).

03 Jun 68- John Salazar, SFC B-7, Ops 35, FOB 6 (Ho Ngocv Tao) Project SIGMA B-56, KIA-RR

13 Jun 68- John J. Kedenburg, SP/5, USASF, FOB 2, Kontum, RT Nevada, Ops 35, KIA-RR, Medal of Honor Winner. The team was attacked and encircled by a Battalion sized enemy force. SP/5 Kendenburg assumed command of the team and broke out of the encirclement. The team moved to an possible extraction point and Kedenburg conducted the rear guard action against the enemy. His action allowed the team to reach the LZ with of one SCU unaccounted for. A perimeter defense was established and TAC air support and extraction helicopters arrived. Half of the team was extracted leaving Kendenburg and 3 indig personnel who harnessed themselves to the slings and as the helicopter was about to lift off when the unaccounted forth man appeared. SP/5 Kedenburg gave up his place on the sling, directing the helicopter to leave. Witnesses aboard the helicopters watched Kedenburg engaged the enemy single handily, killing six enemy soldiers before he collapsed, mortally wounded. The last air strike went on top of Kedenbur’s location. (Note: Kedenburg was on the operation with RT Nevada on 15 Dec 67 when One-Zero, Dan Wagner, Jr. was killed. Somehow, Kedenburg was able to get Wagner’s body out and earned the leadership position of RT Nevada).

15 Jun 68- Francis B Manuel, MSG E-8, USASF, PLT LDR, RIF, KIA

21 Jun 68- Charles D. Boyer, SFC E-7, USASF, C&C, Sqd Ldr,-KIA

02 Jul 68- Clarence C. Ratliff MAJ 04, USASF, 5th SFGA, Ops 35, KIA-RR

04 Jul 68- John B Reed, CPT 0-3, USASF, 5th SFGA, Ops 35, KIA-RR

23 Jul 68- Thomas J. Tomczak, SGT E-5, USASF. 5th SFGA Ops 35, FOB-2. Kontum, KIA-RR

05 Aug 68- Thomas 0. Hudson, 550, B-6, USASF, 5th SFGA, FOBA, Marble Mountain, Da Nang, Ops 35, KIA-RR

23 Aug 68- Talmadge H. Alpin, Jr, SSG E-6, William H. Bric, III, PFC E-3, Thadeusz M Kepezyk, SFC B-7; Donald R Kerns, SFC B-7, James T Kickliter, SGT E-5; Charles R. Norris, MSG B-8; Richard E. Pegram, Jr SGM, E-9, Paul D Potter, 1LT (One week remaining on his tour, killed in his bed while asleep when a grenade landed beside his bed and exploded); Rolf E. Rickmeyers, SFC E-7; Anthony J Santana, SP/4; Gilbert_A Secor, MSG E8; James W. Smith, SGT E-5; Robert J. Uyesaka, SGT E-5 Howard S Varni, SSG E-6, Harold R. Voorheis, SFC, E-7; Albert M. Waker, SFC E-7; Donald W. Welch, SFC E-7; USASF, 5th SFGA, FOB4 (Command & Control North), Marble Mountain, Da Nang, Ops 35 and 16 Indigenous Personnel and camp workers laborers, and team members ALL KIA-RR, The CCN compound was attacked by enemy demolition, suicide element of more than 100 NVA which had infiltrated into the compound throwing satchel charges and firing away with AK rifles. The fighting raged on for more than three hours. (One source, reports 28 Americans and 41 Montagnard Commandos were killed).

23 Aug 68- Stanley L. Sieting, SGT E-5. USASF. 5th SOA. CCN. Ops 35. KIA-RR (He was killed in another action and in an other area than those during the attack on FOB-4 (CCN) compound).

24 Aug 68- John B Miller, 1LT 0-2, USASF, Marble Mountain, KIA

30 Aug 68- Tadeusz Sosniak, MSG E-8, USASF, 5th SFGA, SOG, Saigon, KIA-RR

02 Sep 68- James D. Peoples, 1LT 0-2, USASF, FOB-1-KIA

05 Oct 68- James Daniel Stride SSG E-6 of Denison, TX; USASF 5th SFGA, FOB-4, Da Nang, Ops 35 and Albert Dwayne Wester, MAJ, Helicopter Pilot of Terrell, TX; Gregory Paul Lawrence, SGT E of Mineral Point, Missouri USAF, 2O^th Special Operations Squadron Ops 32 (Air Studies Branch).-Officially MIA, Presumptive finding of death (A "Bright Light" mission on body recovery operation where SSG Stride was the team leader. After moving about 100 meters from the touch down point, the team was ambushed during the burst SSG Stride was shot three times and the team medic determined he had been killed. The team split and forced to leave Stride behind. Maj Wester and SGT Lawrence, members of a gunship, were aiding the recovery and their helicopter was shot down and they were killed

30 Oct 68- Gary L. Matson, SGT E-5, USASF, FOB-I, Phu Bai, Ops 35, Killed-RR (SGT Matson in advertently entered a minefield at FOB 3, Mai Loc, and set off an antipersonnel).

15 Nov 68- James Douglas Birchim, 2LT 0-1, of Independence, CA, USASF, CCC, Kontum, Ops 35 and one Special Commando Unit Team Member, Operating in Laos on a recon mission.(The recon team was engaged by enemy forces and a Commando Team Member was Killed in a pitched battle with an enemy force. Upon extraction, during the hours of darkness Lt Birchim and a young SF NCO, both wounded, managed to latch themselves together in a single McGuire rig. As they were dangling from a rope through a violent, heavy tropical storm, holding on to each other in pitch blackness. Upon landing in South Vietnam, there was only ice laden clothes and gear and an unconscious, shivering young NCO passed out with rope burns cuts deep into his hands where he had tried to hold onto Lt Birchim.. Lt Birchim was gone, falling to the jungle floor below and listed as Presumptive finding of death).

16 Nov 68- William Michael Copley, SP/4 of Northridge, CA, USASF, CCC, Kontum, Ops 35, MIA-Presumptive finding of death -The Recon Team was inserted in Laos on 13 Nov and was engaged by the enemy where SP/4 Copley was shot that day in the initial burst of enemy fire, SSG Robert Loe, the team leader aided Copley evade the enemy. Loe then administered 1^st aid, the enemy continued to pursue the team, Loe ignored the enemy and continued 1^st aid until Copley’s face turned white, Loe and the remaining team was then forced to retreat and were extracted. Search procedures were conducted through Nov 16^th without success. See