More detail on this person: Helicopter pilot
killed in crash near Memorial Day parade
By the Associated Press
BERLIN CENTER | A helicopter flying over a
Memorial Day parade clipped a utility line and
crashed onto a highway, killing the pilot and
barely missing parade marchers, the State Highway
Patrol and witnesses said.
Howard Wiggs, 65, of Berlin Center, was
pronounced dead at the scene Sunday afternoon in
this town about 20 miles west of Youngstown,
according to the patrol. No one on the ground was
hurt.
Wiggs had been flying over the town's annual
Memorial Day parade on U.S. 224, west of state
Route 534, when the helicopter clipped a wire
about 50 feet in the area, the patrol said.
The helicopter crashed feet from the last unit of
the parade, which was headed back to Western
Reserve Middle School where it had started.
Hundreds of children were taking part.
Wiggs' neighbor, Dean Allcorn, said Wiggs told him
he had served in the military during the Vietnam
War.
Wiggs was not part of the Memorial Day
activities.
The highway was closed for about four hours while
the wreckage was removed.
From: Dayton Daily News
NTSB summary
Killed in Hughes 269A on a private parade
sightseeing flight in the evening with good
weather at low level when the pilot was waving to
crowds and the aircraft skid struck a static power
line, followed by an inverted crash into highway
terrain near Berlin Center, OH. He died 28 May
2006
State of Ohio honor event 2002.
Specialist Five Howard Wiggs Class of 2002
Unites States Army
AIR MEDAL WITH "V" DEVICE Citation
For heroism while engaged in aerial flight in
connection with military operations against a
hostile force: Specialist Five Howard Wiggs
distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous
actions while serving as a crewman on a transport
helicopter on an airborne personnel detector
mission. While flying low level, he spotted troop
movement and immediately marked their location.
As his ship circled, he opened fire with his
machine gun. Having acquired several enemy kills,
his ship departed and gunships soon arrived. When
they were unable to locate the elusive enemy, his
ship returned, relocated the enemy and marked
their positions again. After refueling, his ship
flew back to participate in a combat assault into
the area of contact which resulted in over one
hundred enemy killed. His actions were in keeping
with the highest traditions of the military
service and reflect great credit upon himself, his
unit and the United States Army.
Howard Richard Wiggs
Howard Richard Wiggs
Review, The (Alliance, OH) - Tuesday, May 30,
2006
Howard Richard Wiggs, age 65, of Berlin Center,
and formerly of Alliance, died from injuries
sustained in a helicopter accident in Berlin
Center on Sunday, May 28, 2006.He was born Oct.
22, 1940, in Grafton, W.Va., to Jesse and Lena
(Ford) Wiggs and lived in Berlin Center for the
past 16 years.Mr. Wiggs graduated from Western
Reserve High School and was employed by
Roadway Trucking for 25 years, before retiring in
2004.He was a member of Teamsters Local, the
American Legion Post of Lake Milton, Vietnam
Veterans Association Chapter 157, Ohio Military
Hall of Fame, and served with the VFW Honor
Guard.A U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran, Howard
received a Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart,
National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service
Medal with four bronze service stars, and Republic
of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon w/device.Mr. Wiggs
enjoyed roller skating, collecting tractors, and
piloting his helicopter. He was a loving father
and grandfather and will be greatly
missed.Survivors include his mother Lena Wiggs of
Atwater; two daughters, Stephanie (Chris) Yamsek
of Strongsville, Laura (Leonard) Roberts of Akron,
two sons, Howard (Paula) Wiggs Jr. of Ravenna,
and Greg (Cathy) Wiggs of Green; six
grandchildren; three brothers, James Wiggs of
Atwater, Charles (Barb) Wiggs of Atwater, and
Larry (Lorraine) Wiggs of South Carolina; and many
nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by
his father, Jesse Wiggs, one nephew Brian Wiggs,
and one niece, Darla Wiggs.Services will be held
at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian
Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Nicewarner of the
Atwater United Methodist Church officiating.
Friends may call from 6-9 p.m. Thursday. Interment
and Military Services will be held Monday, June 5,
at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton,
W.Va. Memorial Contributions may be made to the
Berlin Center Township Fire Department, 15801
Akron-Canfield Road, Berlin Center, Ohio 44401 or
the VFW Post 9571, 11397 Ellsworth Road, North
Jackson, Ohio 44451.Arrangements are by
Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, Alliance
Ohio.
Burial information: West Virginia National Cemetery, Grafton, WV
This information was last updated 03/25/2021
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association