CAPOZZI HENRY P

LTC Henry P Capozzi was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 02/28/2015 at the age of 88.0 from Cancer
San Antonio, TX
Date of Birth 03/13/1927
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 82 MED DET in 64-65
Call sign in Vietnam DUSTOFF
This information was provided by Sammie Williams

More detail on this person: Lt. Colonel Henry" Hank" P. Capozzi passed away after a long bout with Cancer, Saturday, February 28, 2015. He was 87 years of age.

Capozzi was a lifelong Army officer and Dust Off Air Ambulance Helicopter Pilot who served bravely in Korea, and also completed two tours in Vietnam.

He served as an Operations Officer and an Instructor Pilot 1957 to 1959. Capozzi hand picked his aircrew for the 82nd Medical Detachment at Soc Trang Army Air Field, serving as it's Commander from July 1964 through July 1965. Under his leadership the 82nd received Presidential Unit Citations, a Valorous Unit Award along with other medals of recognition. Hank was among the original H13, Sioux "Bubble Helicopter" pilots, which later led to his passion in founding "The SoloPilots Organization". Along with his fellow SoloPilots, this small elite group remained stead fast in recognizing the pilots who not only flew solo, but had to be their own mechanic, and their own medic, responsible for emergency helicopter evacuations that lead to saving 1000's of wounded on the battlefield and littering them back to safety. Under Capozzi's leadership as President of the SoloPilots, the Organization was able to have these hero's recognized, and a monument dedicated at the US Army Aviation Museum.

His dedication, bravery and savvy flying skills were his biggest virtues. He was highly decorated throughout his career, respectfully declining The Purple Heart commendation following what he deemed to be a minor injury during combat. " I was just doing my job, that is not what the Purple Heart is for....." He explained.

Lt Col Capozzi is survived, and will be greatly missed, by his 3 children, and his Ex wife and partner Ella.

Friends and colleagues are invited to join the family as we toast and remember Hank in a casual reception at 3 pm on Thursday, March 5 at The Towers at 1 Park Lane in San Antonio.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The SoloPilots Organization.

Published in Express-News on Mar. 4, 2015

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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: 03/11/2023