[Vhfcn-l] TINS Rescue of Wolfman 44

[Richard Lewis]

 Thanks for the story, I knew 124 had gone down once before I arrived but now I know "the rest of the story".


Richard lewis
Msg, USA {ret}

     On Saturday, December 14, 2019, 10:18:23 AM MST, Arnold B Christensen via Vhfcn-l <vhfcn-l at lists.vhfcn.org> wrote:  
 
   No they did not Carl me being at times an L-20A Crew Chief in 
Germany.  But more important to me in 65-66 as a CE/FE on one of the 
first Chinook Battalions  Fat Lady into Vietnam and finding out what 
somebody below sending up green balls of destruction possibly if they 
got lucky what it would mean. Loud noise as the round passed close by 
and you noted green color.  I never saw that in a couple of years as 
a Crew Chief flying around the NY City airspace on my CH21C.  Biut 
you do your tour of duty and you hear the stories of birds getting 
shot down and rescues mounted not by order but whole aircraft 
companies having just the one thought of rescue of their buddies down 
someplace and ready to go, fire this thing up and just go do it.  I 
witness it in the Highlands at night when one of our sister company 
Hook got shot down on approach to an Artillery placement with a sling 
load of 105 nasty gash stuff.  Bird landed on the load and suddenly 
the crew was not considered Aviation guyz, but were defenders of an 
artillery base in the middle of nowhere while back at the Base Camp 
nobody had to look for volunteers.  Help was standing all around 
armed and ready. Had Sir Charles known what was getting to come and 
get their guys he would have put out the word...do not shoot down a 
1st Cav Helicopter.  Cooler heads did get what would happen in order 
and there was not a massive air assault into the LZ.  All of them did 
survive the Hook burned to the ground.  Then there was the time one 
of our own ships got shot down and hit the ground on its wheels and 
its internal load of a 105 Gun and basic load of ammo internally 
loaded, and a pilot from another unit saw it and say a very large 
group headed toward the ship but they were wearing black pajamas. The 
rest of that mission was still on the ground miles away and with the 
same sort of loads on board waiting to go on the mission but suddenly 
the mission changed.  Get the guns off the ships and ammo we got to 
go get the people.  The Artillery Crews are sitting there wondering 
what the hell is going on.  But back in the day when everything was 
loaded internally you have never seen such a hustle and bustle to off 
load the guns and ammo and get ready to go get our friends out what 
would soon become one hell of a killing field.  Again cooler heads 
came up with a better plan. It ended up with the guyz on that Hook 
getting their big load and its ammo off the ship and set up ready to 
start firing on whoever was wearing pajamas.  The Brigade command had 
sitting around someplace nearby a bunch of Hueys and Infantry waiting 
the word to start their air assaults into some place 
nearby.  Gunships were on hold waiting on original orders and 
observation aircraft were waiting on the outlying areas around the 
lone Hook with a 105 loaded with a round in it ready to fight to the 
end if needed.
  Everything was in place for a rescue before Sir Charles got near 
the Hook and its load of crew of the ship and crew of the 
gun.  Eventually I think it was two Hueys took off to where the Hook 
was down.  There was back and forth radio with the Hook.  Hueys 
swooped in and loaded up everyone and a revised air assault stated 
into the area where the fat lady Tail # 124 sat like  a Lonesome 
Dove. The Hook and the guy and ammo was saved and to two crews both 
aircraft and Gun were save with not even a scratch.  There was a 
very heavy loss of enemy  in the end.

Those things were always in the back of my mind when flying as a 1st 
Cav flight crewmember.  You had a great bunch of guys were willing 
and able to come and get you and bring you home if you ever made it 
to the ground.  It is amazing how us Aviation Crewmembers acted and 
what the Division did to support guys on the ground out there that 
should not be, even if it was dark. Puff the Magic Dragon would be 
there above you. Artillery rounds would be protecting you even if an 
artillery unit had to be moved to within range from you. Jets would 
be dropping bombs around you. Cargo aircraft would be Low Level 
resupply of ammo to you .
This mission I just talked about was the first Nightime Artillery 
move ever made, and me and Larry's Fat Lady were the first ship in to 
do it  someplace outside of Plekue. All of it happened, including 
dragging the piggy back load of ammo for the 105 we were slinging 
thru the tree tops on approach to LZ italy, or LZ Boot. That was back 
in 67.  Memories!

Chris the Bigfoot

At 11:16 AM 12/11/2019, you wrote:
>Thanks for sending such a heartfelt story. Fixed wing Army crews don't get
>enough credit.
>Carl Crisp
>SP5, CE
>Knight 186
>114th AHC
>Vinh Long '69-'70
>
>On Wed, Dec 11, 2019 at 11:00 AM Darryl James via Vhfcn-l <
>vhfcn-l at lists.vhfcn.org> wrote:
>
> > I wrote this article for the VHPA Aviator. It was published in the most
> > recent edition. Hope you enjoy.
> >
> > Rescue of Wolfman 44
> >
> > Darryl James
> >
> > Americal Divarty Air 68-69
> >
> > Midland, Texas
> >
> >
> >
> > By A. Darryl James, VHPA # L08838
> >
> > This story was told to me by my friend Warren Fuller (VHPA # M13995) who
> > flew with me at Americal in his first tour. We drove Loaches with Americal
> > Divarty Air Section out of Chu Lai in I Corps in 1968 and 1969. CPT
> > Fuller's
> > second tour was in 1972 and 1973 flying the Army King Air variant, RU-21D
> > near the DMZ with North Vietnam. He was with the 138th RR Avn. Co. out of
> > Phu Bai and later they moved to Da Nang when the NVA came across the DMZ in
> > October 1972. His mission flying the RU-21D was Airborne Direction Finding.
> > The aircraft utilized an airborne radio direction finding system called
> > 'Laffing Eagle.'
> >
> > The aircraft was configured with radios and electronics positioned along
> > one
> > wall of the passenger compartment with two operators monitoring the
> > electronics for enemy radio activity to get position fixes and targets.
> >
> > He typically flew these missions simultaneously with an OV-10, forward air
> > controller. The RU21D would find enemy radio positions and the OV-10 would
> > investigate potential targets. He called his OV-10 mission partner his 'sky
> > brother,' as they would only talk and saw each other's aircraft in the air
> > on missions. When their aircraft were in the Area of Operation, they would
> > announce their call signs and altitudes. They would remain at different
> > altitudes for safety. His frequent mission partner was CPT Frank Eagan,
> > USAF, call sign Covey 64 and back-seater, CPT Jon Patterson, USMC, call
> > sign
> > Wolfman 44. CPT Fuller's call sign was Vanguard 969. CPT Fuller received
> > the
> > DFC for his efforts in managing the rescue of the shot-down pilot in
> > hostile
> > territory.
> >
> > December 19, 1972
> >
> > Warren Fuller climbed out of bunk and checked the time on his large gold
> > and
> > silver Fossil watch he bought at the ROK PX in Da Nang on his first tour
> > driving the Loach. He jumped out of bed and stretched. It was still dark
> > with no sign of the approaching dawn. He showered, shaved and met up with
> > his co-pilot, CW2 Robert Collins for breakfast at the Officers Club. After
> > breakfast, Warren returned to his hootch and strapped on his M1911 Colt
> > pistol and holster. He draped his chicken plate over his shoulder and
> > grabbed his M16 and threw a bandoleer of M-16 ammunition over his other
> > shoulder. In his first tour, Warren carried the M1921 Thompson machine gun.
> > He longed for that gangster gun but could not get his hands on one this
> > tour. He grunted carrying all that heavy gear and sauntered down to
> > Operations.
> >
> > He walked in and nodded to CW2 Collins. He no soon set his gear down and
> > was
> > barked at by his CO, Major Charles Simerly who was sitting at his desk,
> > "About time you got here Fuller."
> >
> > Fuller looked at his watch, "What the hell, Sir. My fancy watch says I am
> > not late. Why are you so grumpy at 'O Dark Thirty' this morning?"
> >
> > "I am just messing with you. You and Collins are to take 521Z and surveille
> > within Sector IA just south of the DMZ. There you should meet up with your
> > Air Force sky buddy on Fox Mike 75 kHz channel."
> >
> > "Roger, Boss," replied Fuller."
> >
> > "And Captain, watch your ass. We lost an F4 there last week."
> >
> > "Always Boss." Fuller turned to Collins and asked, "Did you get the weather
> > briefing, Bob?"
> >
> > "Roger, Cap. No weather concerns."
> >
> > "Good let's go."
> >
> > "They retrieved their flight helmets and walked down to the flight line.
> > They met their crew chief who went over aircraft logs and exterior
> > preflight
> > walk around with them. Inside the cabin, two electronics operators;
> > Intercept Operator, Sp5 Don Munn, and Direction Finding Operator, Sp5 Ed
> > Noltensmeyer, sat at their stations. They looked up as Fuller and Collins
> > climbed in.
> >
> > Fuller quipped as he hefted his heavy gear on board, "How is it hanging
> > this
> > morning, Gents?"
> >
> > "Good, Cap," they replied.
> >
> > "We will be surveilling Sector IA this morning. Keep us out of trouble, you
> > hear?"
> >
> > "You got it, Sp5 Munn replied.
> >
> > "Always," replied Sp5 Don Munn.
> >
> > "Just another dull day in paradise," quipped CW2 Robert Collins.
> >
> > "Yeah, whatever, let's get this pig in the air," stated CPT Fuller.
> >
> > Fuller climbed in the left seat and Collins the right. Collins then went
> > through the checklist with Fuller as they started up the engines on the
> > U21.
> >
> > Fuller pressed the radio button on his control yoke, "Da Nang Tower this is
> > Vanguard Niner, Six Niner, requesting permission to taxi, over."
> >
> > "Niner, Six Niner, you are cleared to the active, runway three five right.
> > Winds are from the northwest at 10 knots. The altimeter is two niner zero
> > zero. Information Romeo."
> >
> > "Roger information Romeo."
> >
> > "Da Nang Tower, Vanguard Niner, Six Niner is holding short of runway three
> > five right."
> >
> > "Vanguard Niner, Six Niner, Da Nang Tower, you are cleared for takeoff.
> >
> > Fuller pushed the throttles forward and lifted off. Collins pulled up the
> > gear and flaps as Vanguard 969 turned right and climbed to 10,000 feet.
> > Collins tuned the FM radio to 75 kHz. Fuller saw this and keyed the FM and
> > said, Vanguard Niner, Six Niner is approaching Sector I Alpha to work at
> > Angles 10 (10,000 feet MSL)."
> >
> > "Roger, Vanguard Niner, Six, Niner, you got Covey Six, Four with you today
> > ol' buddy. I am at Angles 10 but will slide down to Angles 9."
> >
> > "Roger, Covey Six, Four, replied Fuller.
> >
> > "The Air Force & Marines have arrived, look out behind your left side ol'
> > buddy."
> >
> > To Fuller's shock there was an OV-10 just a few feet off his left wing. He
> > replied "What the F**k. Are you crazy? Back off you nitwit!"
> >
> > "Vanguard Niner, Six Niner, Easy does it wise guy. The Air Force taught us
> > how to fly."
> >
> > "Yeah, Six, Four, but we are not the F**King Blue Angles."
> >
> > "I just wanted to see what you Army pukes looked like. Hey what brown bag
> > lunch did the Air Force give you today?" Asked Covey 64.
> >
> > "The usual gourmet fare, tuna fish, crackers and a sucky can of peaches
> > that
> > I never eat," replied Vanguard 969.
> >
> > "Hey I love those peaches," replied Covey 64.
> >
> > "Hey Ass Holes this is Wolfman Four, Four in the back seat. I too
> > especially
> > like them ol' peaches."
> >
> > "You both can have them," replied Vanguard 969.
> >
> > real realclose to you? Close enough to smell the tuna fish. Hell I knew you
> > were having tuna fish already."
> >
> > This is Wolfman Four, Four, tell you what, I'll just open the hatch and
> > grab
> > them off your wing when we come back."
> >
> > "Hey Vanguard Niner Six Niner, before we leave, let me ask you a question,
> > Now what exactly is it you're doing up here with all those antennas hanging
> > off of your wings?"
> >
> > "Covey Six, Four you ask me this every day. Your shtick does get old ol
> > buddy. I don't know how many times I have told you these are not antennae.
> > Their cooling fans. You know that ice cream you enjoy at the Officer's Club
> > in Da Nang has to be chilled at a certain altitude temperature and that's
> > why we have these cooling fans."
> >
> > "That never was funny Niner, Six, Niner! Silly actually, your shtick always
> > sucked. Hey ol' buddy did I tell you I am getting pretty short, just thirty
> > short days and a wake-up and I am going home."
> >
> > "You lucky devil you. I have a long way to go." Fuller paused then said,
> > "Be
> > safe, Amigo. Hey, Six Four, are we going to work today or what?"
> >
> > "Yeah, oh buddy, find me a target to work."
> >
> > The OV-10 pilots gave him a thumbs up, did a double squelch break on the
> > radio, then drifted below and eased to the left of the U-21.
> >
> > Thirty Minutes Later
> >
> > Sp5 Don Munn poked Sp5 Ed Noltensmeyer seating next to him and said, "Ed I
> > got something. Ed also picked it up spun his dials creating a signal null,
> > pushed a button, and a printed slip of paper with the shot direction and
> > aircraft position came out. He pushed his intercom switch and said,
> > "Captain
> > we got something come to course two five zero and we will shoot another
> > fix."
> >
> > "Wilco," replied Captain Fuller.
> >
> > Ten minutes later, Fuller switched radios and pressed his radio button and
> > said, "Covey Six Four, this is BAMA..I have coordinates."
> >
> > "This is Covey Six, Four. Go ahead BAMA..ready to copy."
> >
> > "Roger Covey Six, Four, Coordinates one six foxtrot lima one three five
> > seven eight niner."
> >
> > "This is Covey Six, Four, I have Coordinates one six foxtrot lima one three
> > five seven eight niner."
> >
> > This is Bama. That's a good copy.
> >
> > Several minutes later, Covey 64 radioed standby fighter bomber support.
> > "Jay
> > Hawk Niner, Two, this is Covey Six, Four, I have enemy artillery along a
> > tree line, will mark with Willy Peat (white phosphors rockets), Over.
> >
> > "Roger, Covey Six Four, the lead fighter replied. Two minutes later, he
> > radioed, "Talley Ho Willy Peat...rolling in hot."
> >
> > Covey 64 circled the target and keyed his mike, "This is Covey Six, Four.
> > Good shooting Air Force. Thanks for your help today. You are cleared to
> > base.
> >
> > "Roger that Covey Six, Four, the Air Force is here to please.
> >
> > Cover 64 double squelched his radio and drifted away south.
> >
> > Twenty Minutes Later
> >
> > Fuller and Collins's helmet headsets suddenly came alive over the guard
> > radio, "Mayday, Mayday, This is Covey Six Four, we have been hit with an
> > anti-aircraft rocket east of Dong Ha, turning east."
> >
> > "Covey Six Four, this is Vanguard Niner Six Niner. We are heading your way.
> > Say altitude and status."
> >
> > "Vanguard Niner Six Niner, good to hear your voice. We lost the port
> > engine,
> > struggling with control and have a whole panel of caution lights flashing
> > at
> > me. We are at 8,000 feet and descending."
> >
> > "Roger, ol' buddy hang in there, we see you up ahead. Be there is ten
> > mikes."
> >
> > "Aircraft on guard, this is Centaur Three."
> >
> > "Centaur Three, this is Vanguard Niner, Six, Niner."
> >
> > "Vanguard Niner, Six, Niner, We are 'balls to the wall,' and coming your
> > way. What kind of aircraft are you?"
> >
> > "Uniform two one, Over.
> >
> > "Roger, Vanguard Niner Six Niner, we are a flight of two, Hueys out of Tan
> > My. We are heading your way to assist."
> >
> > "Roger, Centaur Three."
> >
> > CWO Joe Bowen, call sign Centaur 3, of F Troop 4th Cav flying the right
> > seat
> > of his Huey headed north. His flight of two UH-1D's pushed ahead toward the
> > developing drama in the sky near Dong Ha.
> >
> > Covey Six Four, this is Vanguard Niner, Six, Niner. I have you insight ol'
> > buddy I am descending towards you from the southeast."
> >
> > "Roger, Niner, Six, Niner. I'm descending through two thousand. We will
> > eject at eight hundred feet."
> >
> > "Roger, Covey Six Four, we are diving through five thousand and will follow
> > you all the way down. Chopper help is on the way!
> >
> > "Vanguard Niner Six Niner, We are punching out!"
> >
> > "Roger, Covey Six Four, We will escort you down, my friend. God's speed!"
> >
> > Fuller said anxiously to Collins on the intercom, "Bob, I only see one
> > shoot."
> >
> > "Shit, I only got one chute," he replied.
> >
> > They saw the stricken OV-10 pass across the shoreline and crash into the
> > South China Sea. Other assets listening on guard to the developing scene
> > offered came on the radio offering help. A Navy Destroyer turned to assist,
> > jet fighters that were assisting Covey Six Four earlier zoomed overhead
> > making a lot of noise to deter enemy on the ground and a ground commander
> > on
> > the beach offered assistance. The radio became a chaotic jumble of
> > transmissions. CPT Fuller declared himself on-site commander to gain
> > control
> > of the airwaves. From that point on coordinated efforts to assist.
> >
> > Meanwhile, Fuller had his hands full flying as he descended lower.
> >
> > CWO Collins in the right seat pointed and yelled over the intercom, "Cap I
> > see a rocket coming toward us."
> >
> > Fuller turned and descended to the deck evading the handheld SA-7 rocket
> > only to be shot at by small arms fire.
> >
> > Collins said, "Shit, Cap, we were not designed to be down here in the weeds
> > with bad guys shooting at us."
> >
> > It was reported that at least three SA-7 rockets were fired at them as they
> > flew on the deck.
> >
> > Jon Paterson now on the ground spoke into his handheld emergency radio,
> > "Vanguard Niner, Six, Niner, this is Wolfman Four, Four. I am on the
> > ground,
> > unhurt. Some ARVN soldiers showed me where Covey Six, Four hit the ground.
> > Dear God, his chute never opened."
> >
> > "That sucks," replied Vanguard 969 on the radio. "Huey's are inbound for
> > you
> > Four, Four."
> >
> > "Indeed we are," replied Centaur 3. Vanguard Niner, Six, Niner, this is
> > Centaur Three. I see you circling below us. I think I see your guy on the
> > beach waving with some ARVN soldiers. We are coming in."
> >
> > Vanguard 969 replied, "Roger, we have some fast movers above and friendlies
> > moving in by ground."
> >
> > "Roger that," replied Centaur 6. "How about climbing out of there and
> > giving
> > me and my buddy some room?
> >
> > "Roger, Centaur 6, we are climbing to two grand. Thanks!"
> >
> > __________________________________________
> >
> > CWO Joe Bowen, call sign Centaur 3, rescued Jon Paterson and the body of
> > Frank Eagan and took them to closest medical facility ARVN 1st Inf Div HQ.
> > The pilot, CPT Frank Eagan, and his back seat observer, CPT Jon Paterson,
> > were shot down east of Dong Ha with SA-7 shoulder-mounted heat-seeking
> > rocket. They punched out at 800 feet at the beach near the village of Trung
> > Nam in northernmost South Vietnam. Frank's chute didn't deploy and he died
> > on impact. Interestingly, the rescue was facilitated on the ground by what
> > were thought to be deserting NVA recon soldiers not ARVN soldiers (not
> > confirmed). The deserters apparently were traveling south along the beach
> > to
> > Hue to surrender. They were given food and water by Joe Bowen's Huey crew.
> >
> > Warren Fuller and his wife, Janie, met up Jon Peterson and his wife, Gail,
> > in September 2010 at lunch in Winston-Salem, Georgia. When he and Jon
> > talked
> > about the shootdown and rescue, Jon pulled out the ejection seat handle
> > from
> > 38 years ago from a bag by his chair. They remain good friends.
> >
> > You can read the Army's official description of the DFC award from the
> > following link:
> > <
> > https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wefpages.com%2Ffamily%2FDFC
> >
> > 
> %2520Award.pdf%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3R-VnHM2UeAkwFrNRf3yDuoP2OxhPxVYoAxcYBAyZyZi0I
> >
> > 
> Hwq8qYDNjWs&h=AT29rSQaCl-tI6tEBdNz5gDl0RrW-5afmHwSivyh31HbnxCTKnCGliAO9qQcDd
> >
> > 
> Wk6f8iqTJ9fExEaBSEVncUY_YBjP-UH6e_MhT_7loVyf7tawdBNVbEYpuydiQcsTLTKkxKiSyDNn
> > T8YMCA7o1_JKOIxrZryrSIh44gOQ
> > 
> <https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wefpages.com%2Ffamily%2FDFC%2520Award.pdf%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3R-VnHM2UeAkwFrNRf3yDuoP2OxhPxVYoAxcYBAyZyZi0IHwq8qYDNjWs&h=AT29rSQaCl-tI6tEBdNz5gDl0RrW-5afmHwSivyh31HbnxCTKnCGliAO9qQcDdWk6f8iqTJ9fExEaBSEVncUY_YBjP-UH6e_MhT_7loVyf7tawdBNVbEYpuydiQcsTLTKkxKiSyDNnT8YMCA7o1_JKOIxrZryrSIh44gOQ>>
> > http://www.wefpages.com/family/DFC%20Award.pdf
> >
> >
> >
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