Taking a day off, just gonna enjoy air conditioning. Plan had been to 3 wheel with daughter and grandson earlier, but sil had to do a business trip so she's taking care of granddaughter. Mid to high 90's putting around on farm roads probably wouldn't be that much fun anyway, we'll wait a bit till it cools down some, maybe next weekend.
Much more comfortable in the fall when we can gear up comfortably, wouldn't have been any jackets today.
Cavanaugh, my gunner for 3 months before he moved up to crewchief
Fleer, an "old" captain, one of the few with kids back home, incredibly friendly for an officer
LaBuda, didn't know him well, friendly in a quiet way
Moore, fairly new pilot, was getting well liked
Took fire leaving an LZ, got a few hundred feet up then dove in hard, was never determined why.
Lieutenant Commander (Aussie equivalent to Army Major) Vickers, my platoon leader, incredibly professional, former fighter pilot, round came up through the center console, hit him under the chin, no suffering. Flew with him many times, didn't like him, but much respect for the man he was, and was surprised it hit pretty hard to lose him. Highest ranking Australian killed at the time, maybe the whole war.
"Blackie" Philips, Australian NCO for the gunship platoon. Incredibly well liked for an NCO, guys would do anything for him he asked. Day or two before going home, decided to fly one last time. Engine failed a few miles from base, whichever pilot was flying screwed the autorotation and the loaded gunship hit in a massive explosion, hardly anything left to bring back.
I can't put a face to the name for the rest, may have flown with some of them. This list got a lot longer in the years after I left. The Aussies aren't on our wall, but they're remembered at home, even have a monument to this unit.
took forever for the sun to come out , just in time for an evening ride.....first I have to sober up.....parade and 2 oil changes brought the thirst......1 pint of vodka later and I'm celebrating my ability to breathe....
Cavanaugh, my gunner for 3 months before he moved up to crewchief
Fleer, an "old" captain, one of the few with kids back home, incredibly friendly for an officer
LaBuda, didn't know him well, friendly in a quiet way
Moore, fairly new pilot, was getting well liked
Took fire leaving an LZ, got a few hundred feet up then dove in hard, was never determined why.
Lieutenant Commander (Aussie equivalent to Army Major) Vickers, my platoon leader, incredibly professional, former fighter pilot, round came up through the center console, hit him under the chin, no suffering. Flew with him many times, didn't like him, but much respect for the man he was, and was surprised it hit pretty hard to lose him. Highest ranking Australian killed at the time, maybe the whole war.
"Blackie" Philips, Australian NCO for the gunship platoon. Incredibly well liked for an NCO, guys would do anything for him he asked. Day or two before going home, decided to fly one last time. Engine failed a few miles from base, whichever pilot was flying screwed the autorotation and the loaded gunship hit in a massive explosion, hardly anything left to bring back.
I can't put a face to the name for the rest, may have flown with some of them. This list got a lot longer in the years after I left. The Aussies aren't on our wall, but they're remembered at home, even have a monument to this unit.
Mike, the account given here by a man named Tom Rudolph (https://www.vhpa.org/KIA/incident/68020818KIA.HTM) indicates that 66-01128 was chalk 5 of 6 and was hit with heavy ground fire after takeoff. 66-15125 was reportedly hit by an RPG after take off. Much respect for our flying brothers, present and departed. So sad.
Evenin Woods! Had 2 Navy trainers buzzing the neighborhood this morning. A T-6 and a T-11 from what I was told. I can't ID planes...never has been my thing. Kids enjoyed it. It was for a Boy Scout fundraiser at the LDS church in my neighborhood
05-28-2018, 10:02 AM
