More detail on this person: MH-6 in TF 160 hit
an electrical tower and crashed into the
Cumberland River. This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site:
03/10/2024
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Was selected in 1980 as the person to form and
command the aviation unit to conduct the second
rescue attempt for the hostages in Iran.
Continued as the Commander of that unit which
eventually became Task Force 160 and is now the
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Died
in a crash near Fort Campbell KY, while leading a
flight of MH-6 aircraft 7 October 1981. The Task
Force 160 MH-6 hit an electrical tower and crashed
into the Cumberland River, while leading a flight
of 22 aircraft on a long range, night vision
assault mission. Buried at Arlington. First
tour in 4/47 Inf 9 Inf Div, Flight School then
second tour 1970 with 2/17 Cav, 101st Airborne.
While serving in Vietnam with 4/47th Infantry 9
Infantry Division, he was recommend for the Medal
of Honor for actions in March 1968. It was
downgraded to a Distinguished Service Cross. He
was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame
posthumously during the annual convention in
Nashville April 2004. Mike was a good friend,
mentor and the fiercest warrior I met in a 30 year
career. Some of his significant contributions
will be noted in a book that will be published in
the late fall, "Night Stalkers" by Steve Hartov
(coauthor of "In the Company of Heroes" with Mike
Durant), it will be worth reading. A common theme
in the true story of the 160th Special Operations
Aviation Regiment will be the influence,
especially the early days, of Vietnam Helicopter
pilots.
From: Randy Cochran