More detail on this person: iIworked 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 EandEing 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 This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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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
Art's date of death was July 7, 1973, and several
said he was found in the Fairbanks cabin that he
lived in. His sister, who is supportive of my
seraching and interested in learning more, said
that he was found in his car. In either case, the
cause of his death is unknown. After he stopped
flying, he had a firewood business and also was a
drummer in a Fairbanks band.
Art served two tours and here is the information
on them: 7th Armored Squadron, 1st Air Cavalry,
The Blackhawk, Aug. 1967-April 1968, CW2, WO1
Red Horse, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 1968-1969,
Warrant Officer 1. Also, he was awarded a Purple
Heart.
Most of all, I am hoping that somehow I will find
some of his fellow servicemen to connect with and
learn more about my cousin.
From: Karin Bartow