More detail on this person: Lineberry, Gary Graduated flight training with Flight Class 65-3. He
was in Saigon in 1963 with the 571th Maintenance as a helicopter electrician and after flight school
went back to fly Chinooks in Vietnam with The First Cav (1965-66).
Gary Lineberry, 71, died at his home in Valencia, CA on November 21, 2012 after a year and a half
battle with cancer. He entered the army as an aircraft electrician and did a tour in Vietnam. Upon
return to the States he entered flight school. Because of his excellent performance in flight
school, upon graduation Gary immediately became a flight instructor teaching at Fort Wolters. When
he completed one year as an IP, Gary went to Chinook school and was sent off to Vietnam where he
received numerous medals and was a check airman as a W1. With heavy lift copters available, Gary's
company was the original group of pilots that bartered and slung construction equipment to build the
"Holiday Inn" Barracks, complete with signs and furniture from the hotel chain.
After six years of duty, Gary left the Army and flew in Alaska, South America, and Southern
California for Hughes Helicopters and Briles Wing and Rotor. In 1974, Gary began flying for the Los
Angeles County Fire Department where he flew for 27 years with a pilot staff of many Vietnam Vets.
He stayed until his mandatory retirement at 60. He then signed on with Angel City Air in Los Angeles
and was a pilot/reporter for TV news for 10 years and created another family of flying buddies.
Over the years Gary kept in touch with flight school classmates and touched many in the aviation
community both civilian and active duty. During his year and half long battle with cancer, Gary was
upbeat and positive every day and had very little discomfort. He was cared for by fellow VHPA
member, LA County Fire pilot and lifelong friend, Gary Bertz along with Bertz's wife and kids.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 10/11/2026
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