BUTCHKA RICHARD VICTOR

CMD Richard Victor Butchka was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 07/28/2007 at the age of 66.1
Mobile, AL
Date of Birth 06/03/1941
Served in the U.S. Coast Guard
Served in Vietnam with 37 ARRS in 69-70
This information was provided by Barry Geller, SSN search 090108

More detail on this person: Information extracted from the article cited below: U.S. Coast Guard Aviation in Vietnam Combat Rescue and Recovery by John "Bear" Moseley, U.S. Coast Guard Aviator 743 This is the story of those U. S. Coast Guard aviators who flew as part of the U.S. Air Force Combat Rescue Forces during the Vietnamese Conflict. The men who wrote this virtually unknown chapter of Coast Guard aviation history exemplified the highest traditions of Coast Guard Aviation and the United States Coast Guard Lieutenant Richard V. Butchka, Lieutenant James M. Loomis, and Lieutenant (jg) Robert T. Ritchie followed in April 1969 replacing for the first group. Lieutenant Commander Joseph L. Crowe and Lieutenant Roderick Martin III arrived in 1971, and following in 1972 were Lieutenant Jack Stice and Lieutenant Robert E. Long. All these aviators were helicopter qualified and were assigned to the 37th ARRS at Da Nang. Butchka, Loomis, and Ritchie were at Da Nang flying with the 37th ARRS. In order to identify each other in flight on missions, Loomis came up with a system. Quinn was "Coast Guard 1," Butchka "Coast Guard 2," Loomis "Coast Guard 3," and Ritchie "Coast Guard 4." Quinn later stated, "This was well received at the squadron level, but a few of the Colonels were not terribly impressed with our humor and thought we were nuts - but I convinced my crowd that I had them surrounded."

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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