More detail on this person: I went to high school with Dennis and was a close friend. In fact
his class replaced mine (69-27) in 4th WOC at Rucker when we graduated. I can remember to this day
when I was notified by my parents that he was killed. While in RVN I received a newspaper article
from my hometown paper stating that the Army had posthumously awarded Dennis his Warrant
appointment and wings as he had completed all requirements to graduate. If I remember correctly he
and fellow student pilot had both finished training and were given a B model on last day to go on a
solo flight. I got that info from a classmate of theirs. I assume the Army did same for stick
buddy. Thought this would complete the record. Burial information: Fort Benning Post Cemetery, Fort Benning, GA
This information was last updated 09/04/2018
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Date posted on this site:
01/11/2025
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CW4 Jeff Sauers, 129th AHC 70-71
UH-1B accident during training at Ft. Rucker with WOC B.D. Gularte.
Second Crash of Helicopter Fatal to Two
ELBA, Ala. (AP) - Army spokesmen say investigating crews here are checking into the second
crash of a Ft. Rucker helicopter in two days which has resulted in the death of two more student
pilots.
Sources at Ft. Rucker said the Friday mishap fatally injured Lt. Harold W. Esselstein, 23,
of Corning, Ohio, and another flier whose identity was being withheld pending notification of next
of kin.
The crash, which involved a troop-carrying craft - the UH1 "Huey" - took place about 17
miles west of the post, sources said.
The Army said two warrant officer candidates, Dennis G. Hector, 21, of Lewisburg, Pa., and
Brent D. Gularte, 20, of Napa, Calif., died Thursday in another helicopter near Samson, Ala.
The two were on a training mission when the accident occurred, a spokesman said.
18 DEC 69 WOC Brent D. Gularte [SP]
WOC Dennis G. Hector [SP] Alabama USAAVNS
UH-1
[Need Tail#]
A/C crashed during Tac-X training just before graduation on Ft Rucker.