On 8 January 1973, a UH-1H HUEY (tail number 69-15619) of the 62nd Avn Co, 1st Avn Bn, 11th Combat Avn Group, was tasked with flying two men from MACV HQ on a support mission to several landing zones in the vicinity of Quang Tri City, South Vietnam. The Huey had been observed as it flew across the Thach Han River into enemy held territory.It was seen to circle twice with its door guns firing at an unknown ground target. Enemy automatic weapons fire was heard by ground troops. The first missile missed but the second and third struck the helicopter. It crashed in an enemy-held area near Ai Tu. A search and rescue continued through 9 January. SAR aircraft were driven off by small arms and automatic weapons fire as well as multiple SA-7 launches. When formal SAR operations were terminated the six men were listed as Missing in Action.
None were repatriated during the POW release in February 1973.In January 1994 a Joint Task Force team visited the site. After interviewing witnesses who claimed that bodies associated with the incident had been buried in a local cemetery, exhumation produced remains which were identified as those of Warrant Officer Richard Knutson. Another JTF team revisited the site in July-August 1996. The team interviewed witnesses who claimed they buried the remains of several Americans associated with this incident near the crash site and identified a location. Positive identification for all five men was made through dental records. Lieutenant Colonel William Deane and the other men were were interred in a common grave in Arlington National Cemetery in April of 2000.
Etched In Stone
by Julie Karen Jackson
I went to see the Wall again today;
Etched in stone is the phrase they say.
A special name to me is known;
A certain soldier who never came home.
A bracelet I wear on my arm;
Hoping with remembrance that will keep him safe from harm.
I speak his name and wish him well;
Never knowing if time will tell.
Will he be found or gone forever?
His spirit will live on through the years;
Even as we all shed many tears.
His name is here on the wall for all to see;
This great big wall,
A sad memory.
Panel 01W Line 109
View war memorial at National Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
View war memorial at Honolulu Memorial.
None were repatriated during the POW release in February 1973.In January 1994 a Joint Task Force team visited the site. After interviewing witnesses who claimed that bodies associated with the incident had been buried in a local cemetery, exhumation produced remains which were identified as those of Warrant Officer Richard Knutson. Another JTF team revisited the site in July-August 1996. The team interviewed witnesses who claimed they buried the remains of several Americans associated with this incident near the crash site and identified a location. Positive identification for all five men was made through dental records. Lieutenant Colonel William Deane and the other men were were interred in a common grave in Arlington National Cemetery in April of 2000.
Etched In Stone
by Julie Karen Jackson
I went to see the Wall again today;
Etched in stone is the phrase they say.
A special name to me is known;
A certain soldier who never came home.
A bracelet I wear on my arm;
Hoping with remembrance that will keep him safe from harm.
I speak his name and wish him well;
Never knowing if time will tell.
Will he be found or gone forever?
His spirit will live on through the years;
Even as we all shed many tears.
His name is here on the wall for all to see;
This great big wall,
A sad memory.
Panel 01W Line 109
View war memorial at National Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
View war memorial at Honolulu Memorial.
On 8 January 1973, a UH-1H HUEY (tail number 69-15619) of the 62nd Avn Co, 1st Avn Bn, 11th Combat Avn Group, was tasked with flying two men from MACV HQ on a support mission to several landing zones in the vicinity of Quang Tri City, South Vietnam. The Huey had been observed as it flew across the Thach Han River into enemy held territory.It was seen to circle twice with its door guns firing at an unknown ground target. Enemy automatic weapons fire was heard by ground troops. The first missile missed but the second and third struck the helicopter. It crashed in an enemy-held area near Ai Tu. A search and rescue continued through 9 January. SAR aircraft were driven off by small arms and automatic weapons fire as well as multiple SA-7 launches. When formal SAR operations were terminated the six men were listed as Missing in Action.
None were repatriated during the POW release in February 1973.In January 1994 a Joint Task Force team visited the site. After interviewing witnesses who claimed that bodies associated with the incident had been buried in a local cemetery, exhumation produced remains which were identified as those of Warrant Officer Richard Knutson. Another JTF team revisited the site in July-August 1996. The team interviewed witnesses who claimed they buried the remains of several Americans associated with this incident near the crash site and identified a location. Positive identification for all five men was made through dental records. Lieutenant Colonel William Deane and the other men were were interred in a common grave in Arlington National Cemetery in April of 2000.
Etched In Stone
by Julie Karen Jackson
I went to see the Wall again today;
Etched in stone is the phrase they say.
A special name to me is known;
A certain soldier who never came home.
A bracelet I wear on my arm;
Hoping with remembrance that will keep him safe from harm.
I speak his name and wish him well;
Never knowing if time will tell.
Will he be found or gone forever?
His spirit will live on through the years;
Even as we all shed many tears.
His name is here on the wall for all to see;
This great big wall,
A sad memory.
Panel 01W Line 109
View war memorial at National Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
View war memorial at Honolulu Memorial.
None were repatriated during the POW release in February 1973.In January 1994 a Joint Task Force team visited the site. After interviewing witnesses who claimed that bodies associated with the incident had been buried in a local cemetery, exhumation produced remains which were identified as those of Warrant Officer Richard Knutson. Another JTF team revisited the site in July-August 1996. The team interviewed witnesses who claimed they buried the remains of several Americans associated with this incident near the crash site and identified a location. Positive identification for all five men was made through dental records. Lieutenant Colonel William Deane and the other men were were interred in a common grave in Arlington National Cemetery in April of 2000.
Etched In Stone
by Julie Karen Jackson
I went to see the Wall again today;
Etched in stone is the phrase they say.
A special name to me is known;
A certain soldier who never came home.
A bracelet I wear on my arm;
Hoping with remembrance that will keep him safe from harm.
I speak his name and wish him well;
Never knowing if time will tell.
Will he be found or gone forever?
His spirit will live on through the years;
Even as we all shed many tears.
His name is here on the wall for all to see;
This great big wall,
A sad memory.
Panel 01W Line 109
View war memorial at National Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
View war memorial at Honolulu Memorial.
