Company A

227th Assault Helicopter Battalion

1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)


Valley of Sorrow - A Shau
25 April, 1968

Helicopter UH- 1C Gunship 66-15052
By CW2 Robert W Kelly, AC
Memorial Day, 2012


It was the 7th day of Operation Delaware and my first day off since the operation began on 19 April. Every aviator (Aircraft Commander and Pilot) and crewman (Crew Chief/Gunner and Door Gunner) who flew on 19 April endured maybe the most tortuous antiaircraft fire in South Vietnam's history. Many helicopters were shot down. Operation Delaware began only 4 days after the end of Operation Pegasus, our relief of the siege on Khe Sahn.

A pilot got sick and I was asked to fly on the 25th. This was to be my first day off since this operation began. I could have used the day off. I was happy to be assigned one of my favorite gunships and crew. This was a UH-1C Huey gunship # 66-15052 with a crew of four, not a Huey Cobra. Our mission was to pull pitch (take off) before first light then rendevous with a Chinook enroute to Signal Mountain. We would escort the Chinook in just after first light. When we got to the operations tent we found that the other crew changed the ship numbers on the aircraft/crew assignment board. They took our chopper. Chucky Seitz, my pilot, and I were very pissed about that. As we walked down our dirt flight line at Camp Evans, Chucky was still complaining. At that time I saw one of the other pilots on the roof of "our" Huey with a flashlight. He was already performing his preflight inspection. I informed Seitz that we would take the other ship.

Soon we were headed to the A Shau Valley. We started climbing soon after departing Camp Evans. The mountains that formed the perimeter of the A Shau Valley were very high. I seem to recall 7,000 to nearly 10,000 feet depending on the location. The Valley floor averaged 5,500 feet. We were still climbing over the first valley East of A Shau. We could see we were above a cloud deck as daylight came. The air was smooth. We were about to contact the Chinook when I saw black smoke coming out of Hoyt's engine. I told Seitz that Hoyt just had an engine failure. I can still see black and brown thick smoke coming out of Hoyt's engine with a some small pieces of metal. I knew it was an engine failure. We were at a bad place flying over a cloud deck surrounded my tall mountalns. I made the mayday call. Hoyt said he was going to try to make it to the edge of the clouds near the mountain side. This mountain side was the East mountain boundary of the A Shau Valley. He made it and I was happy because I could follow him down and coordinate a crew rescue. Procedure was if he would have had to go through the clouds I could not have followed him. The clouds may have reached the ground and I would have flown into the ground. As he autorotated below the clouds he chose his forced landing area. He did a 180 and headed East across this valley toward a small grassy area. The only other forced landing area was the small stream bed that he crossed trying to reach his chosen spot. He could have turned South, followed the stream bed and autorotated into the jungle over the stream bed. No guarantee of surviving that but it is possible. We never saw his rocket pods drop. He either forgot or the release mechanization failed.

As Hoyt approached the grassy area he asked me to prep (fire) on his chosen forced landing area. I had plenty of time and flew around his left, put a small amount of munitions around the LZ, passed the LZ, did a right 180 which put us in position to watch him land. The trees around the LZ were about 80 foot tall but Hoyt could not see that. He was coming up short of the LZ. Instead he used his pitch to get over to the grassy area. There he found himself over the grassy area, 80 feet high, with no pitch left for a successful auto rotation. The chopper dropped straight down and exploded on impact. There was zero chance of survival. Our crew knew we had just lost four of our own. Ervin Hoyt was Aircraft Commander, 1Lt Kenneth Spencer, Pilot, Sp4 Michael Patrick MaKock, CE and Sp4 James D Kendall, gunner. The two pilots who were killed lived with us in our GP Medium tent. Hoyt was in my flight school class. He and I were due to go home June 12, 1968. So close.

Near Catastrophic Trip Back to Evans

I finally had to leave my friends and go home. It was a lonely trip back. It was more than lonely but I can't put it into words. I was 100 yards away when Phipps and Bowen were killed at LZ Betty, Phan Thiet.

		A/227 Aircraft
		UH-1D 66-16803
			AC WO-1 Donald Ray Phipps, P Ralph Edward Bowen
			CE PFC Stanley Roy Uding, G Cpl Gary Leroy Holtz

I was 100 yards away when Lane and Morley were killed at LZ English. These were friends. We had breakfast in the morning and they were KIA later that day. We spent hours of "hanger talk" and just a lot of B.S.

		A/227 Aircraft
		UH-1D 66-16695
			AC 1LT Michael Lane, Pilot WO-1 Jeffery Paul Morley
			CE SP 5 Lee Ray King, G SGT Joseph Edward Heiman

There were other pilots and crew I knew and others I did not know that were KIA.

As I flew over the last mountain the familiar rolling hills toward Evans appeared. By chance there was a small village at this location. I turned slightly left and began a dive toward the village. No other aircraft around. It was time for revenge. I was mentally out of control. No one in my aircraft said anything. Maybe they wanted what I did. Out of nowhere something pulled me out of that dive and I turned toward Evans. I guess my morality kicked in. I am glad it did. You can imagine what would have happened to me if I had destroyed that village. After POL I debriefed with Major Fyffe and others at the operations tent. I felt a bit numb the rest of the day.



I am going to attach the aircraft incident report on Chinook, CH-47A tail number 66-19080, (below) since they are tragically related to the same incident. This Chinook was the second tragedy of this day that I know of. As you read this incident report, the Chinooks first pass was to confirm KIA's. Why didn't someone contact us, before their mission, especially me, as AC on Hoyts wing with D/227th for a Situation Report? There was no doubt they were killed instantly. I still had too much fuel and ammo to hover. I circled the destroyed aircraft and I called for a slick to hover around the aircraft. A slick who was over head radioed that he was coming down. He hovered in the area and confirmed our findings. To this day I do not know who crewed the slick or even if it was CAV. Whoever you were I thank you. So we confirmed the deaths three times when the first one was enough. A CAV tradition or "did I really just see that happen" !!

As for the Chinook and more KIA's, I heard rumors about 5 KIA's. I also heard that our BN Flight Surgeon, grabbed a shotgun and even killed a few NVA. Does anybody remember his name ? Did he go on that mission. I heard the hook was not shot down and or damaged. I also heard the NVA charged with bugle blowing and a flag bearer. Does anyone know if there is truth in this?

Why weren't gunships sent on that 1st mission. That got some guys killed and the Chinook may not have been shot down. Yes, I am looking in hindsight but consider this. Operation Delaware began 19 APR 68 and by now, 25 APR, many NVA grunts had flowed out of the A Shaw to the west (Laos) and to the east where our ships and personnel were lost. In addition to this, this mission to Signal Mountain had gun cover (our original mission) and was not that far away.

You will see the 228th (hooks) got their bodies out in two or three weeks. I DEROS 15 Jun, 30 day leave, Ft. Wolters, MOI, assigned as IP with A-13 and still no bodies. We got a newsletter and I kept looking. My dead were still MIA. I can't remember when there remains made it home but it seems 4-6 months after being assigned to A-13. What a relief. Even though we knew the Huey crew were KIA it was a very good feeling that the remains were brought home and that the families had there closure. The same day, 25 April, Bob Witt, A/227, lost his best friend, a 1/9th scout pilot at Tiger Mountain. They never found his remains although the search goes on.

Comments on war stories. I have found, after 40+ years since our "in country" days the things we remember of the same incident can be different. No one is lying, changing the story, etc., just 40 plus years.

I recall there was heavy jungle in that valley. Bob Witt got me an aerial photo and it appears the approach path in good weather goes over some dirt terrain.

The 1st downed aircraft was a UH-1C, D227AHB, 1st Cav Huey gunship # 66-15052. The Chinook reports this aircraft as a Huey and again as a Huey Cobra. I mention this because the damage was so severe that two Chinook crewman could not tell the difference.

Mel Chappell was correct in writing "The downed crew was burned completely up the first time we went out, and most of their chopper was gone also. There were no bodies to bring back and no chopper to sling load out". Mel was correct although some remains were eventually recovered.

Pat Murphy and Mel Chappell did a very good story on CH-47 Chinook. They helped me with the story after our D/227 gunship crashed. I am grateful to both of you for that. As to whether there were 4 or 5 KIA's on the hook we may never know. We lost 4 in the Huey. That should have been all we lost that day. These seemingly simple things (like escorting the Chinook with gunships) happen in wars.


CW2 Robert Kelly, 1st Plt, D Co, 227th Assault Helicopter Bn, 1st Air Cav, 1967/68.

Last updated December 31, 2018
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Incident Report - Helicopter CH-47A #66-19080

Information on U.S. Army helicopter CH-47A tail number 66-19080
The Army purchased this helicopter 0467
Total flight hours at this point: 00000566
Date: 04/25/1968
Incident number: 68042522.KIA
Unit: C/228 ASHB 1 CAV
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
This was a Rescue and Recovery mission for Rescue of Persons
While in PickUp Zone this helicopter was at Hover at UNK feet and 000 knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: YD367143
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size.
The helicopter was hit in the Left Side
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = 04 KIA, 02 WIA, 01 INJ . .
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Unknown
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: OPERA, CASRP, MISC (Operations Report. Miscellaneous. Casualty Report. )
Loss to Inventory

Crew Members:
G CPL EILER LINDEN DALE JR KIA
FE SP5 MCGEE BOLEN PONDEXDER KIA
AC MAJ MATTHEWS WIA
CE SP5 DAZELL DAN M WIA
G PFC DELP KENNETH HARVEY KIA

Passengers and/or other participants:
PFC MCMANUS JERRY DOYNE, AR, CX, KIA



War Story:
Hit while hovering over UH-1 (probably 66-15052) for sling recovery. Crashed and burned. Pat Murphy wrote -The last time I saw Mac (McGee) was the morning of April 25, 1968. He stopped in at my tent to say hello, and to tell me how glad he was that I was OK after the crash of my chopper, Crimson Tide 109. He then went on a rescue mission as FE of Crimson Tide 080. They were shot down with four dead and two wounded. Lost that day with Mac was Linden Dale Eiler (gunner), Jerry Doyne McManus, and Joseph Burkes. McManus and Burkes had just gone along as extra crew for the rescue. The CE, named Dazzell (or something like that), and the pilot, Maj. Matthews, our CO, were wounded. Rarely has a day gone by in my life that I have not thought of McGee and the others. That was 30 years ago, and I still miss them. I'll never forget them. May they rest in peace.

A Huey Cobra had been shot down, and they needed a Hook to run a rescue mission. Ron Turner was sick,so they needed someone to take his place as FE on 080, too. Dowda and I were still on bed rest. Others were busy with their own aircraft. Mac would go. He had been crewing for some time and had the experience. He had just been taken off flight status, and assigned to maintenance, because he was one of the best mechanics in the outfit, and they wanted him working on all the ships. He climbed aboard 080 along with the CE, who was named Dazell, I think.

Four maintenance guys went along as extra crew to help with the rescue equipment. The C. O. would ride in the left seat, and Major Vickers, the XO, was in the right seat, I believe. The gunner was Linden Dale Eiler, Jr. As they approached, a .51 cal. machinegun had been hidden in the trees, and Charlie was waiting. Before any gun escorts could react, 080 was down. The C.O. was wounded by the .51 when a bullet glanced off his chicken plate and went through his arm. Dazell was struck in the buttocks, and the bullet passed through his scrotum. They were the lucky ones. Mac and Eiler never had a chance. Eiler was immediately riddled at his gunner's position, and Mac, well; he never had a chance to exit the plane either, from what I heard. Two maintenance men were also killed while trying to get out of the ship. Four dead and two wounded. They told me that 080 had several hundred bullet holes in here fuselage from nose to tail.


Ralph, that is pretty much the way I remember it, too. Couple of additional details: 080 was pre-rigged for A Shau Valley rescue missions by removing the hook and rigging the rescue winch with a jungle penetrator down through the hook hole. It also had a ramp mount for a M-60. There were medics and extra gunners on stand-by to go with her if a mission was called. 080's regular Crew Chief was Bob Schweitzer and he was on KP so Dan Dazell filled in as the CE. Ron Turner was the regular Flight Engineer but was on sick call and Bolen McGee filled in as FE.

MAJ Matthews and Dazell were both WIA. They were both evacuated to USS Sanctuary hospital ship together. Dazell remembers talking to him before they had surgery.

One other thing Dazell confirmed for me. They were shot down on their 2nd trip to the Huey Cobra's crash site. First trip confirmed the Huey Cobra was destroyed and pilot's bodies were burned. The second trip was to recover the bodies.

The other pilot was the XO/Maint Off (we think MAJ Anthony Vickers).

Bolen McGee (C/228th FE) was KIA. Also two gunners: Eiler and McManus (C/228th) were KIA. Two other guys that we are not sure were gunners/riggers (MOS 57H20) Burkes and Campbell (unit unknown) were also KIA. Total of 5 KIA and 2 WIA.

080 was also KIA... She had to be slung out and ended up at Red Beach (got photos).

- Jim Ketcham...KA4AFI...OWLS...FE CH-47
- C/228th ASHB, 1st Cav Div Dec'67-Dec'68


All the information about the crash of 080 on April 25, 1968 is not accurate nor complete. Joseph Burkes and Ronald Campbell, I didn't know. I really don't think they were on 080 that day, but they could have gotten on after I got off. There is a lot written about them so it is quite possible they were there. When the grunts brought the bodies back 2 or 3 weeks later, they never mentioned other bodies.

Spec 5 Ron Turner was FE and got sick and left 080 just before it took off the last time before it got shot down (it had been to the crash site prior to this and had just sat down before it left again). Spec 5 Bolin Pondexter "Dexter" McGee took his place. McGee had gone out the first time on 080 as a helper. He and the battalion medic had gone down the jungle penetrater and confirmed the deaths of the crew on the downed chopper. On the last flight out, McGee was killed. He was a short-timer and should not have been out there. He had been an FE and had already quit flying because he was so short. He only volunteered because we were so short handed, and he loved flying. He was killed.

PFC Bob Schwitzer was crew chief and was on KP, so I took his place as crew chief on 080 for the first flight out. I got sick after the first trip, also, and left 080 when the FE, Ron Turner, left. That is when Spec 4 Dan Dazell took my place as crew chief. Dan got shot in the upper leg area and was evacuated along with Maj. Vickers to the hospital ship (I don't recall her name). They were out of anesthesia and gave them the choice of waiting until the next day or operating that day without any pain killer. They both got operated on without pain killer. (Dan was taller than me. If I had been there, I would have been hit in the lower abdomen just under my bullet bouncer and would have had my guts torn out. I am always thankful, yet very sorry, Dan took my bullet). Spec 4 McManus was gunner both times 080 went out. He was so short that he should have been in Ahn Kha signing out of the Cav, but we were short handed, and he volunteered for one last mission. He was killed.

There were 4 mechanic volunteers who went out on the rescue mission. They were Smith whom we called Smitty (thus I can't remember his first name), Leslie Edwards, Dale Eiler, and Kenneth Delp. They were all awarded the Bronze Star for their service that day. I went to AIT with Edwards, Eiler, and Delp, and we were all friends. I knew Smith from AIT but he was in a different class so we were not close friends until he started crewing in Vietnam. Their memories are etched into my mind, and I am not mistaken about any of this.

Smith and Edwards got banged up a little in the crash but made it back alive. Eiler and Delp both got killed. Eiler (most called him Eiler or Dale) was a PFC and was awarded Cpl stripes after he was killed. Delp is not listed on the wall in the correct year. It seems he is listed as dieing in 1965, but his date of entry into Vietnam is correct, January to March of 1968. So, it is obvious that someone made a mistake. (I have written to people about this, and it seems that there is still an uncorrected mistake concerning Delp).

The AC was Maj. Jerry Matthews our CO (retired Col. Matthews), and the pilot was Maj. Tony Vickers our XO and maintenance officer (retired LTC Vickers). Maj. Matthews was hit in the high, upper arm. The bullet sliced his arm like a knife. After they patched him up on the hospital ship, he came back to the company for a few days before he went home. He has since died. Maj. Vickers was left at the crash site 'till nearly dark with only a 6 shot .38 with him. General Tolson came by and picked him up in his Huey on his way back from the Valley and got him out before dark.

080 did not get shot down in the Ashau Valley. It was in the foot hills to the east. It was in a very dry, brushy raven. There was neither jungle nor any of the glamorous stuff like triple canopy I have read about. It was just an ol', dry, dirty place that 080 should never have gone back to. The downed crew was burned completely up the first time we went out, and most of their chopper was gone, also. There were no bodies to bring back and no chopper to sling load out, thus I don't see why Campbell and Burkes would have been on 080 since they were sling load specialist and not assigned to Charlie Company (I don't think they were in the 1st Cav but only assigned to it), but they could have been on 080 and we were just not told about them. Even when Smitty and Edwards came back, they never mentioned them either.

The Cav left the bodies from 080 out there for 2 or 3 weeks. Then, the grunts went out and secured the area, and we sent in a Hook to sling loaded 080 out, There were 3 ponchos with 4 bodies in them, McGee, Eiler, Delp, and MacMannus. There was no mention of any other bodies, but like I say, they could have been on the hook and taken to their company and not left at ours.

I would send a picture of 080, but I lost everything in the Katrina flood last year, but you can go to the 228th web site and might find a pic or find someone who has one.

Mel Chappell
Spec 5, CE 047 &485 & FE 480, C Co, 228th, 1 Cav, 1968-9


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