Pacific Stars and Stripes information
For date 680424
Primary service involved, US Army
Quang Nam Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Da Nang
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "8 Fliers Hoisted From Red Nest."
Da Nang (UPI)- Eight American airmen downed 19 hours in the midst of a Viet Cong stronghold were rescued Sunday in a dramatic, two-hour mission with U.S. planes firing on Communists within 10 yards of their position. The Americans were aboard to Army "Huey" helicopters shot down Saturday in the "Happy Valley," about 20 miles south-southwest of Da Nang. Both choppers went down several miles from the point where they were hit, and the four-man crew of the aircraft were not located until the following day. None of the crewmen was hurt. Two Air Force A1E Skyraiders were first to reach the area. Piloted by Capt. Tommy Stroud, 26, of Waco, Tex., and Capt. Lyn Oberdier, 30, Toledo, Ohio, the planes began firing on Viet Cong positions. A "Jolly Green Giant" rescue helicopter arrived within a short time. "He started drawing ground fire and he had to pull out while we worked the area over again," Stroud said. The helicopter returned in about 10 minutes later, but again was unable to take a hovering position because of heavy Communist fire. Then it had to return to Da Nang for refueling. Army helicopter gunships soon ....continued on back page.
The source for this information was 6804pss.avn supplied by Les Hines
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Last updated
02/23/2000
Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023