More detail on this person: My dad, Wayne F.
Geer retired from the U.S. Army in 1978 at the
rank of CW4. 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:
10/23/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
According to his DD214, he earned the following
decorations, medals, badges, commendation,
citations and campaign ribbons, awarded or
authorized:
ARAVBAD - Army Aviator Badge
GCMDL - Good Conduct Medal
VSM (1-7) - Vietnam Service Medal
RVNCM - Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
NDSM - Nation Defense Service Medal
ARCOM - Army Commendation Medal
MVC - (I do not know what this award is, if you
can help I would appreciate it)
VUA - Valorous Unit Award
AM1V-2 - Air Medal
SRAARAVBAD - Senior Army Aviator Badge
OS SVC BARS (4) - Over Seas Service Bars
AFRM - Armed Forces Reserve Medal
VCofGw/P - Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palms
DFC - Distinguished Flying Cross
Pistol Cal .38 Qual Bad - Pistol, Caliber .38
Qualification Badge
MSTARAVB - Master Army Aviator Badge
Remarks: WORWAC PHI USAPHS 20 wks 1962 -
Warrant Officer Rotary-Wing Aviator Candidate -
Phase I - United States Army Primary Helicopter
School
WORWAC PHII USAAVNS 14 wks 1962 - Warrant
Officer Rotary-Wing Aviator Candidate - Phase II -
United States Army Aviation School
ITC USAPHS 2 wks 1967 - Instructor Training
Course - United States Army Primary Helicopter
School
AH1G (CobraTrans) USAAVNS 4 wks 1968 - Attack
Helicopter (Cobra) Training School - United States
Army Aviation School
RWIFES USAAVNS 6 wks 1970 - Rotary Wing
Instrument Flight Examiner - United States Army
Aviation School
Wayne F. Geer served two tours in Vietnam, 25
Oct, 1965 - 14 Oct 1966 (he left three days after
my birth) and again 7 Jan 1969 - 18 Dec 1969. The
first tour he flew Heuy gun ships, and the second
he flew Cobra gun ships.
I believe his first tour he was with the 48th
Aviation Company. Looking up the history of this
unit I was able to find this bit of information on
the web;
On 14 October 1965 Major Edward R. Brophy Jr,
Captain Max Mitchell, Captain Arthur Moen,
Captain Arthur Hagen, CWO James V. McCartt,
CWO Wayne F. Geer, and 20 enlisted personnel
were called off leave to form the advance party to
accompany the aircraft overseas. This advanced
party boarded a bus for Atlanta, Georgia on 18
October. From Atlanta they flew commercial air to
San Francisco lnternational Airport. They reported
to Alameda Naval Air Station, Oakland, California
where they signed for 16 UH-1D and 9 UH-1B
helicopters. The helicopters had already been
processed for overseas shipment and had their
main rotor blades, stabilizer bars, and tail rotor
removed. The gun kits were boxed and secured
inside the aircraft. The aircraft were zipped and
locked inside large seaborne protective bags and
loaded aboard the USNS KULA GULF, a baby
aircraft carrier.
The second tour in Cobra AH-1, I can only
remember he was part of the 1st Calvary Division,
but I do not know what unit he was in. I will ask
my uncle and see if he can remember and if I get
any more good information I will let you know.
As for cause of death, he died of lymphoma after a
long fight with cancer and heart problems.
I believe he was most proud of his rotary wing
instrument flight examiner rating, as there were
very few who held that rating when he retired.
From: Jeff Geer