Kingsmen 11, Gerald Morgan

We worked with the “ E” model guys even as they transitioned to the Cobra’s. I think they also had a rotor brake, but basically a “C” model. My roommate picked up the co-pilot, lone survivor of an “E” model that was shot down. His seat broke loose, he and his seat went through the windscreen. He had burns along with other injuries. The NVA played cat and mouse with him for about twenty days, using him as bait for an aircraft/helicopter trap. My roommate was on a CCN mission returning empty to An Hoa (west south west of Da Nang) with other unit aircraft, Cobra’s and Sandy (A1 aircraft). A crew member spotted the guy as he was flashing the blade of his K-bar as a signal. A quick brief and Bob, went down and snatched the guy out of the trap. Lots of fireworks during this event. I think Robert “Bob” Kovalak. received a Silver Star, he passed in 2004.

Another great story from JOE RILEY

A question was asked ... Anyone out there remember either first light or last light missions starting out with this beautiful beginning and initial feeling of tranquility?

Joe Riley replied ... yup, but I had a certain one that ended in disaster before it even started. From the berm.

Refueler didn't ground his truck and set off 12 pair of rockets simultaneously. Almost totally destroyed an entire lift company down the line and sent rockets even into downtown Bien Hoa. Luckily, only person injured (maybe killed, I never found out) was the refueler himself. The back blast blew all his clothing except his shorts and boots completely off him and he was severely burned. Many fins got tangled, so rockets went all directions downrange. Some armed, and some didn't. I think the lift Company was the 128th, but my memory is not that good. This was early 1970 or very late 1969 at

Bien Hoa with the 334th AHC.

One of the rockets that luckily did not arm but flew the farthest went through the roof and bedroom of a Papa/Mamasan and stuck in the floor of the children in downtown BienHoa. Thankful that nobody was killed down there.

Sirens went off and the entire base thought it was incoming. I had to get on the radio, call the tower, and let them know it was an accidental firing and send the fire trucks. I actually met a guy from the lift company a few years (I guess about 21 now) ago up in Chicken on the 4th of July. He was visiting from Arizona and sent me some black and white prints of some of the lift company damage.

A Great Story A-1 Skyraider .... Ervin Petty

Although I never met Capt Carroll Lilly, I was with him on this tragic date 50 years ago. I was a Pararescueman on “Jolly Green 70” during the rescue of a 4-man ground team that was in imminent danger of being captured or killed. Carroll (“Sandy 10”) provided close air support during our first pickup attempt which was aborted after receiving heavy ground fire while in a hover. He continued his suppressive fire for approximately 26 minutes before a second attempt was initiated. It was during that run-in and successful pick-up that Carroll went missing while in his staffing pattern. I think of him often and regret that I never had the chance to meet him. Carroll Lilly is a true American hero and directly responsible for the recovery of four Allied troops and the safe return of my helicopter and crew. RIP Carroll. We will meet one day in the future.

HUEY 63-08083 Jim Harvey AC, Don Nelson CP

1968 - On March 8, 1968, Don and I crash landed in a burning LZ, skids ripped off, A.C. shut down, restarted and flown 45 minutes back to Soc Trang and landed on sand bags Later that month 803/Warrior 11 would be shipped back to ARADMAC, N.A.S., Corpus Christie, Texas, for complete overhaul repairs and inspections (completed September 13, 1968). Then flown to Fort Benning and served many more years.

This great Icon, this three-year Vietnam Veteran Huey, this Medevac 1st Cav-15th Med BN/336th AHC Warrior 11, this 18-year MA AANG Iroquois was donated and rescued from the outdoors by the members of American Huey 369! It has been restored to flying status!