More detail on this person: Lineberry, Gary
Graduated flight training with Flight Class 65-3.
He was in Saigon in 1963 with the 571th
Maintenance as a helicopter electrician and after
flight school went back to fly Chinooks in Vietnam
with The First Cav (1965-66).
Gary Lineberry, 71, died at his home in Valencia,
CA on November 21, 2012 after a year and a half
battle with cancer. He entered the army as an
aircraft electrician and did a tour in Vietnam.
Upon return to the States he entered flight
school. Because of his excellent performance in
flight school, upon graduation Gary immediately
became a flight instructor teaching at Fort
Wolters. When he completed one year as an IP,
Gary went to Chinook school and was sent off to
Vietnam where he received numerous medals and
was a check airman as a W1. With heavy lift
copters available, Gary's company was the original
group of pilots that bartered and slung
construction equipment to build the "Holiday Inn"
Barracks, complete with signs and furniture from
the hotel chain.
After six years of duty, Gary left the Army and
flew in Alaska, South America, and Southern
California for Hughes Helicopters and Briles Wing
and Rotor. In 1974, Gary began flying for the Los
Angeles County Fire Department where he flew for
27 years with a pilot staff of many Vietnam Vets.
He stayed until his mandatory retirement at 60. He
then signed on with Angel City Air in Los Angeles
and was a pilot/reporter for TV news for 10 years
and created another family of flying buddies.
Over the years Gary kept in touch with flight
school classmates and touched many in the
aviation community both civilian and active duty.
During his year and half long battle with cancer,
Gary was upbeat and positive every day and had
very little discomfort. He was cared for by fellow
VHPA member, LA County Fire pilot and lifelong
friend, Gary Bertz along with Bertz's wife and
kids.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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