During the war in SEA United States Air Force helicopters of the Air Rescue and Recovery Service and the Special Operation Units flew daily, often times being exposed to hostile fire.  During the war there were one hundred & three (103) helicopters lost, primarily due to hostile fire.

There were one hundred and seven (107) brave souls that were KIA, of which twenty-four (24) are still listed as MIA.  Seven (7) crewmembers were taken as POWs, six (6) were released and one (1) was killed during EE. One individual was able to avoid capture and was later rescued.

There were numerous other helicopters that were lost primarily due to hostile fire in which the aircrews were rescued.  We have in our group two such individuals, one survived two crashes.  They are James (J. D.) Adams and Gerard (Jerry/Buck) Bucknall.

Here is the data on their respective incidents:

21st SOS NKP

CH-3E/67-14702/15 Jan 69

Gerald T. Henery (P)

Adams (CP)

Gerard Bucknall (FE)

Hernand E. Wilson (FE)

21st SOS NKP

CH-3E/65-15691/27 Jun 69

Gerald T. Henery (P)

F. L. Mattos (CP)

J. D. Adams (FE)

Hernand E. Wilson (FE)

40th ARRS DaNang

HH-53C/68-8285/21 Jul 71

C. Bennet (P)

B. Robben (CP)

J. D. Adams (FE)

Chuck McGrath (PJ)

Jon Holberg (PJ)

"FREEDOM ISN'T FREE"

~SOMEONE PAYS FOR YOU AND ME~

"HELICOPTERS" - THE ONLY WAY TO FLY

~NEVER FORGOTTEN~