S. E.A.
Stories
On 3 September 1968 at 15:40 hours, DET6,
38ARRS, 3rd ARRG, Bien Hoa AB, RVN was notified by the J.S.R.C.
(Joint Search and Rescue Center at Tan Son Nhut AB) that a F4 Phantom, Call
Sign Boxer 05 had crashed approximately 20 miles North of Tay Ninh.
Pedro 97 sits on the Pad at Bien Hoa
Pedro 97 (HH43F 63-9716)
was prepared for an Air Crew Recovery Mission while Pedro 95 (HH43F 63-9714)
was recalled from a Support Mission.
Pedro 95 readies for an earlier
mission on a different date
Pedro 97 departed for
the crash location at
Enroute, it was learned that a U.S. Army UH1D helicopter had crashed near the pilot’s chutes.
Upon arrival,
the chutes were spotted and the downed helicopter crewmembers seen nearby.
While the Gunships
provided cover, three UH1D Crewmembers, CWO2 William R. Fullerton, SP4 Larry E.
Bird and SP4 George J. Luk were recovered. This required 30 minutes of hovering
above tall trees while small arms fire could be heard in close proximity.
The small arms fire was presumed to be
hostile, as no friendly troops were known to be in the area. After pick up, the
Huey Crew was flown to Thien Ngon Special Forces Camp under hostile fire as
confirmed by the Green Berets.
On return to the bailout area to pick up the remaining U.S. Army UH1D Crewmember and the F4 Crew, it was learned that U.S. Army LOH6 helicopters had recovered them.
Pedro 97 diverted to Tay
Ninh Airfield for refueling and was joined by Pedro 95 which had
departed for the rescue area at
PEDRO
97 Crewmembers
RCC Major Richard W. Pfadenhauer
RCCP Captain Paul. E. Stone
FE A1C Glenn N. Chafey
PJ SGt Roland C. Schmidt
Pedro 95 Crewmembers
RCC Major Price S. Summerhill
RCCP Captain Jon C. Lon
FE SSGt James P. Baldwin
PJ A1C Terry M. Wells