Pacific Stars and Stripes information
for HMM-163
For date 680602
HMM-163 was a US Marine Corps unit
Primary service involved, US Marine Corps
Quang Tri Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Dong Ha
Description: 2Jun68-Flaming Emergency Landing Saves GIs
QUANG TRI, Vietnam (ISO) - A Marine helicopter pilot prevented his flaming aircraft from becoming a funeral pyre for his crew and four wounded Leathernecks with an emergency landing west of Dong Ha. First Lt. Thomas D. Wilson, 24, of Marine Medium Helicopter Sq-163 was flying his UH-34D Sea Horse on a supply mission from Quang Tri when he and his wingman were diverted to pick up wounded Marines, two in critical condition. After the pickup six miles west of Dong Ha. Wilson's gunner reported that enemy gun fire had struck the tail of the aircraft. "Since the bird continued to handle properly, I didn't think much of it," said Wilson a veteran of 10 months in Vietnam with more than 700 combat missions behind him. Seconds later, the crew reported fire in the aft section. Flames began to consume the chopper, and the pilot realized he couldn't reach the Dong Ha medical facilities. From 200 feet up Wilson selected a rice paddy for an emergency landing and began his descent, cutting the helicopter's power and placing the four large blades in auto-rotation. Upon landing the crew scrambled from the burning aircraft, taking the wounded Marines with them. Wilson of Ashville, N.C., then directed his wingman to a safe landing spot away from his helicopter since much of the ammunition on board was "cooking off." The wounded were transferred to the second chopper and quickly airlifted to Dong Ha for treatment. "I've had some bad experiences before, Wilson said, "but never anything like that."
Comments: 1LT Wilson, Thomas D.; ; ;
The source for this information was 6806PSS.AVN supplied by Les Hines 3/97
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
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Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023