Christmas 1970 at Vinh Long wasn't very pleasant for the Dutchmasters.
(An internet forum discussion from 1998)

Just before Christmas we lost two Loach crews in a mid-air just outside the wire at Vinh Long.
One of the pilots was my best friend, Gary Bartels. Took me awhile to get over it.
 We hated those before dark raids.
The guns had taken off first with the scouts next.
Capt. Soloman was the lead scout with Gary #2.
As they were turning down wind Capt. Soloman evidently had a complete electrical failure.
Because of the darkness and the condition of the wind screen you mentioned, it was impossible for Gary to see Capt. Soloman's a/c.
This information was gained from the other scouts in the flight.
John Butler, Dutchmaster 37

Callison comments:
John, it took us all awhile to get over that morning. 
Squadron had been hounding D troop to launch before light in the AM.
Our OH-6s were in terrible shape for night operations.
Most had no cockpit or exterior lights and the windshields were covered with repairs and scratches and were nearly opaque from sand blasting.
When flying in rain it was easier to kick out of trim and look out the door than try to peer through the windshield.
 In Light Horse, the Scouts were all volunteers, no one was "assigned to scouts".
 I don't remember when there were more than 8 pilots in the platoon, usually there were just 6 of us.
I remember on two occasions when we all "quit" and terrifying as it was, asked the Slick platoon leader to schedule us to fly with them the next day.
One such time was when 7/1 was bitching for us to launch before dawn. We refused. We won.                                
 I was pre-flighting my ship in the dark that morning, several of us heard the Loaches lifting off from the Dutchmaster ramp. 
We didn’t see the aircraft until they collided. 
I didn’t know any of the crew members, but we grieved the loss of comrades.

Don Callison, War Wagon 14, D Troop3/5 CAV, Aeroscouts
Vinh Long RVN, 5/70 to 5/71
    
Butler:
Our scouts were also all volunteers.
I have an acid tongue and stabbing wit but I seldom throw darts at scout pilots.
I deeply respect and admire all of them, no matter their unit or AO.
So to all of the scout pilots, Merry Christmas, may your days be long and prosperous.
Let us lift our glasses at Christmas to all the Gary's that are with us only in spirit.
John Butler, Dutchmaster 37

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