More detail on this person: GRAHAM DELEY
P, TINKER MICHAEL R, and STRATTON ARTHUR
T JR.
I worked in Alaska for several years in the 70's I
know of three Vietnam vet pilots who were
killed/died during that time. First was DeLand
Graham, "D" I remember him from flight school and
believe he was in 66-5, at least he was ahead of
me in 66-7. His home was Wichita Falls Tx. he was
married and living in Wolters Village. He worked
for Utility Helicopters and did a hitch in
Argentina where he picked up a local wife. I don't
think there were any children from either
marriage. We double crewed a Bell 206B for
Anchorage Helicopter Svc. working with core
drillers on the Alaska pipeline in the spring of
1971. He was on nights and taking off from the
highway about 5 miles east of Fairbanks. Hit some
wires, which severed the push-pull tubes. The A/C
spun into the trees throwing D out, He hit his
head on (a tree) and died instantly. The A/C
burned and the other 2 pass didn't get out. I
believe this happened in June 71. Second is Mike
Tinker. I was in B flight at wolters with Mike in
1967-68. I think he was in a class ahead of me
also. He was flying a Bell-47 with 2 geologists in
central alaska in the spring of 1970 or 71 for
Anchorage Helicopters. He had just started work
for them and this was his first flight, probably
less than a week. They were missing for several
days and all died in the crash, I think engine
failure was the cause. They rolled down a hill
quit a ways. He had worked for Cascade or
Columbia heli in Washington the prior season. I
think that was his home. Last and saddest is Art
Stratton. He worked for Anchorage Helicopters in
the early 70's. Probably in a class in 68/69. Lost
his job due to a drinking problem. What little
history I remember there was talk about him
getting the silver star after being shot down and
Eand Eing out for several days. Maybe early PTSD
that went untreated, back in those days that was
more common than we'll ever know. He died in an
alley in Fairbanks I think in 1974. He was working
as a drummer in a band but I lost track of him in
73. I've never seen these names in the directory
and if you need more info try Jack Audiss or Frank
Heffernan.
From: Bill Springer, wspringer@hotmail.com
Here is D Grahams report, In fairness to D, his
passenger knew of the wires but never warned him,
it was his first day/night in that area. NTSB
Identification: ANC72AA001 event occurred
Wednesday, July 21, 1971 at FAIRBANKS, AK
Aircraft:BELL 206, registration: N7893S
I was married to him (wife #1) when he was going
through flight school and during his tour in
Vietnam. We lived in Wolter's Village as you said
while he was in flight school. After Vietnam we
returned there. We divorced a year and a half
after his return. We had a child, a son.
We were divorced at the time of his accident and
he was married to a woman from Argentina. No
children in that marriage.
I had always wondered what happened with the
crash...his mother never showed me the newspaper
articles....I did get his death certificate and it
said he died from massive injuries from the crash.
I had heard rumors that his head had been cut off
by rotor blades. the original death certificate
had his heighth, color of hair and eyes incorrect
and had to be corrected. I am sure this is
because of the head injury.
You may use this to update your information.
Thank you for having this because like I said, his
mother would not give me any information.
From: Barbara G. Colley
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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