More detail on this person: From smoke
inhalation in a house fire. His trailer caught
fire with him in it. His autopsy indicated he
died of smoke inhalation. There were two state
Fire Marshall's who came to the scene. They
concluded that a contained unit, electrical space
heater malfunctioned in a crawl type space under
the trailer, smoldered, then probably had a "V"
flash fire, into the trailer wall, at the top of
the 3 stairs into his trailer, thus blocking his
escape route. His body was found in the kitchen
area near a tiny kitchen table with a window above
it. There was nothing left of his trailer except
a small corner of a wall, the frames of the built
in appliances, the trailer frame itself. They
believed the fire started around 5 am on Saturday
morning. His pick up truck was also totally
engulfed and demolished. Only the basic frame is
left. Pretty much all that was left were
ashes.
As most of you know, Bill had become an alcoholic
and many people- friends, family, and caring
people-offered their kindness, their support,
their help in hopes he could/would help himself.
And I am grateful to all of you who extended that
care, concern and help.
Jack and I had recently taken Bill to his Viet Nam
helicopter troop reunion in late August. It was
one of the most awesome experiences of our lives.
These men who fought the war, saved each others
lives, and depended on one another daily have a
brotherhood like nothing we have ever seen, felt,
or experienced. Bill came alive again for the 4
days that we were there. His trooper buddies had
already formed an "Intervention Team" and were
waiting for him. The loved him as he was, but
they also worked constantly with him while there
and in the two weeks that he spent with us
following our return from the reunion. He had
promised his Intervention Team, and us, that he
would go for a complete VA physical, including
testing for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,
Depression, Agent Orange, and a nerve disorder.
One of his "A" Trooper team buddies was to be at
Bill's this very week, and another would have been
there next week to assist him in getting his
medical life in order. Another one of his Trooper
buddies on his Intervention Team told me that Bill
had told him on Thursday before the fire that he
would go for help with his alcoholism.
So as you can guess, we are very saddened by his
accidental death, when we thought he might just
have a little window of hope for a different life.
We are truly in shock with this terrible and
tragic situation. My husband Jack and I have
found your caring, love, support and concern very
uplifting. You are providing us with the sanity to
go through what we must yet accomplish. Thank
you from the bottom of our hearts. My brother,
Bill, loved you and "The Troop" meant everything
to him. I thank you on his behalf.
From: Bill's sister, MaryAnn
I flew Bill's front seat in the Cobra and Scout
Recon underneath him. He was one of the coolest
and best pilots I ever flew with. At least I got
to see him again at the Montana Reunion after 35
years. I saw him as though it was 1970 again
rather than the wearing down with age that life
hands out to us all.
The 9th Cav Apache Troop Headhunters do not
leave anyone behind or alone. And that includes
the last day when one of us is above ground.
From: CW3, US Army Retired, Louis J. "Rocket"
Rochat, III Apache Red X-Ray, Apache 16
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 10/23/2024
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