Helicopter UH-1H 67-17791
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 67-17791
The Army purchased this helicopter 0968
Total flight hours at this point: 00002137
Date: 08/12/71
Incident number: 71081210.KIA
Unit: D/3/5 CAV
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: YD073672
Casualties = 04 DOI . . Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 0
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Also: OPERA, Fred Blanchard (Operations Report. )
Summary: Returning from mission flying at altitude along the DMZ, A/C flew thru GT line of 122 rocket. A/C exploded.
Loss to Inventory and Helicopter was not recovered

Crew Members:
G SP4 KELLY ERIC STEVEN KIA
P WO1 KELLY LAWRENCE LEE KIA
P 1LT THOMPSON JOHN CLYDE JR KIA
CE SP5 NELSON ROBERT THOMAS KIA

Passengers:
SP4 HOLIAN GARY LEE, AR, PAX, KIA; PFC MCCOY LARRY, AR, PAX, KIA; SP4 STRICKLAND GAIL LYNN, AR, PAX, KIA; SSG WRIGHT JAMES, AR, PAX, KIA;
This record was last updated on 03/27/00
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The following is crew member information for this incident:
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Name: SP4 Gary Lee Holian
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/12/71 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Date of Birth: 12/08/50
Home City: Chicago, IL
Service: component of the U.S. Army.
Major organization: 101st Airborne Division
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 03W-129
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17791
SSN: 343443176
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B20 = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: small arms fire
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 10/23/70
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
The initial status of this person was: non-hostile dead - died out-right
Length of service: *
Location: Quang Tri Province I Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XD073672
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Protestant - no denominational preference
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 06/16/00
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Name: SP4 Eric Steven Kelly
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/12/71 while performing the duty of Gunner.
Age at death: 22.0
Date of Birth: 08/28/49
Home City: La Crosse, WI
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: D/3/5 CAV
Major organization: 101st Airborne Division
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 03W-129
Short Summary: Returning from mission flying at altitude along the DMZ, A/C flew thru GT line of 122 rocket. A/C exploded.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17791
SSN: 387545932
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 36K20 = Tactical Wire Operations Specialist
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: small arms fire
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: door gunner
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 09/01/70
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
The initial status of this person was: non-hostile dead - died out-right
Length of service: *
Location: Quang Tri Province I Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XD073672
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Lutheran (Missouri Synod)
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 08/27/97
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Name: WO1 Lawrence Lee Kelly (posthumously promoted)
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/12/71 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 27.9
Date of Birth: 09/07/43
Home City: Munhall, PA
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: D/3/5 CAV
Major organization: 101st Airborne Division
Flight class: 70-23
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 03W-129
Short Summary: Returning from mission flying at altitude along the DMZ, A/C flew through GT line of 122 rocket & exploded. W/1LT J.C. Thompson & blues.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17791
Call sign: Charlie Horse
SSN: 185347162
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 100B = Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot
Primary cause: ARTY in Flight
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: small arms fire
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 10/21/70
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
The initial status of this person was: non-hostile dead - died out-right
Length of service: *
Location: Quang Tri Province I Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XD073672
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 08/27/97
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Name: PFC Larry McCoy
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/12/71 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Date of Birth: 10/01/50
Home City: Brandon, MS
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Major organization: 101st Airborne Division
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 03W-129
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17791
SSN: 587503472
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B10 = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: small arms fire
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 12/21/70
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
The initial status of this person was: non-hostile dead - died out-right
Length of service: *
Location: Quang Tri Province I Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XD073672
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Negro
Relgion: Baptist - other groups
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 06/16/00
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Name: SP4 Gail Lynn Strickland
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/12/71 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Date of Birth: 09/15/52
Home City: Amarillo, TX
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Major organization: 101st Airborne Division
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 03W-130
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17791
SSN: 453805782
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11D20 = Armor Reconnaissance Specialist
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: small arms fire
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 12/13/70
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
The initial status of this person was: non-hostile dead - died out-right
Length of service: *
Location: Quang Tri Province I Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XD073672
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Church of Christ
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 06/16/00
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Name: 1LT John Clyde Thompson, Jr.
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/12/71 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 24.0
Date of Birth: 08/16/47
Home City: Lincoln, NE
Service: AR branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: D/3/5 CAV
Major organization: 101st Airborne Division
Flight class: 71-6
Service: AR branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 03W-130
Short Summary: Returning from mission at altitude along the DMZ, flew thru GT line of 122 rocket. A/C exploded killing WO1 L.L. Kelly and blue team.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17791
Call sign: Charlie Horse
SSN: 508602578
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 6124
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: small arms fire
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: pilot
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 05/23/71
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - pilot
The initial status of this person was: non-hostile dead - died out-right
Length of service: *
Location: Quang Tri Province I Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XD073672
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Lutheran (Missouri Synod)
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: officer
This record was last updated on 08/27/97
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Name: SSG James Wright
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/12/71 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Date of Birth: 09/16/39
Home City: Columbia, SC
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Major organization: 101st Airborne Division
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 03W-130
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17791
SSN: 245589164
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B40 = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: small arms fire
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 12/01/70
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
The initial status of this person was: non-hostile dead - died out-right
Length of service: *
Location: Quang Tri Province I Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XD073672
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Negro
Relgion: Baptist - other groups
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 06/16/00
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Name: SP5 Robert Thomas Nelson
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/12/71 while performing the duty of Crew Chief.
Age at death: 20.2
Date of Birth: 05/28/51
Home City: Madison, AL
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: D/3/5 CAV
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 03W-130
Short Summary: Returning from mission flying at altitude along the DMZ, A/C flew thru GT line of 122 rocket. A/C exploded.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17791
SSN: 422668707
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: *
Major attributing cause: accidentally self-inflicted
Compliment cause: small arms fire
Started Tour: 03/17/71
"Official" listing: ground casualty
The initial status of this person was: non-hostile wounded or ill or injured - serious
Length of service: *
Location: Quang Nam Province I Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: BT066740
Reason: accidental homicide
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died illness or injuries
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Baptist - Southern Baptist Convention
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: non-battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 03/27/00
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The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 67-17791
It is provided here as an ESTIMATE of the history of this helicopter and is not intended to be the final authority.
This helicopter was purchased by the US Army in 0968.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.

DATE  FLT HRS    UIC      UNIT          AREA          POST          COUNTRY
6809   0    0 W0Y6AA OS TO CONUS      ITR CONUS                   AVCOMITR
6810   0    0 3300   HHD 44 ENG GP    THAILAND                    PACIFIC
6811  59   59 WAYZAA 5TH AVN DET      VIETNAM                     RVN
6812  68  127 WAYZAA 5TH AVN DET      VIETNAM                     RVN
6901  72  199 WAYZAA 5TH AVN DET      VIETNAM                     RVN
6902  73  272 WAYZAA 5TH AVN DET      VIETNAM                     RVN
6903  48  320 WAYZAA 5TH AVN DET      VIETNAM                     RVN
6904  56  376 WAYZAA 5TH AVN DET      VIETNAM                     RVN
6905  73  449 WAYZAA 5TH AVN DET      VIETNAM                     RVN
6906  28  477 WAYZAA 5TH AVN DET      VIETNAM                     RVN
6907  59  536 WAYZAA 5TH AVN DET      VIETNAM                     RVN
6908  46  582 WAYZAA 5TH AVN DET      VIETNAM                     RVN
6909  72  654 WAYZAA 5TH AVN DET      VIETNAM                     RVN
6910  17  671 WAAMC0 TRP C 3SQ 17CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN
6911  75  746 WAAMC0 TRP C 3SQ 17CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN
6912  94  840 WAAMC0 TRP C 3SQ 17CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN
7001  73  913 WAAMC0 TRP C 3SQ 17CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN
7002  59  972 WAAMC0 TRP C 3SQ 17CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN
7003  71 1043 WAAMC0 TRP C 3SQ 17CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN
7004  45 1088 WAAMC0 TRP C 3SQ 17CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN
7005 111 1199 WAAMC0 TRP C 3SQ 17CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN
7006  81 1280 WAAMC0 TRP C 3SQ 17CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN
7007  35 1315 WAAMC0 TRP C 3SQ 17CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN
7008  90 1405 WAAMC0 TRP C 3SQ 17CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN
7009  80 1485 WAAMC0 TRP C 3SQ 17CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN
7010  25 1510 WAAMC0 TRP C 3SQ 17CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN
7011  57 1567 WAAMC0 TRP C 3SQ 17CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN
7012  49 1616 WAAMC0 TRP C 3SQ 17CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN
7101  80 1696 WAAMC0 3 17 AC SQ C TP  VIETNAM                     RVN
7102 103 1799 WDF2D0 D TRP 3 5 CAV    VIETNAM                     RVN
7103  87 1886 WDF2D0 D TRP 3 5 CAV    VIETNAM                     RVN
7104  99 1985 WDF2D0 D TRP 3 5 CAV    VIETNAM                     RVN
7105  97 2082 WDF2D0 D TRP 3 5 CAV    VIETNAM                     RVN
7106   0 2082 WDF2D0 D TRP 3 5 CAV    VIETNAM                     RVN
7107  55 2137 WDF2D0 3 5 CAV D TRP    VIETNAM                     RVN

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Please send additions or corrections to:

VHPA Head Quarters or Gary Roush or Mike Law
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Printed from databases on: 08/27/00

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