More detail on this person: For the records
Capt Greg Patuela was the gun platoon leader for
B/3/17 cav from around Feb 1968 for probably 6
months. His total disregard for his own safety was
legend in the troop. Some of the more reserved
pilots didn't like his fearlessness but if you
were a grunt on the ground in dire straits you
would have been lucky to have Capt Patulea on
station. I flew guns with him and later had his
excellent cover overhead as a scout. I am sorry we
never crossed paths. I have tried to research the
awards to no avail but i believe he was awarded
the DSC for a night time extraction of wounded
just nw of Saigon during probably May/June 68.
Probably for elements of 25th or maybe 1st Inf.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site:
03/10/2024
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He was a fixed wing pilot first and had the
quickie rotor wing transition before coming to
B/3/17 on I believe his second tour. He never was
a really smooth C model pilot like JJ MIlls an old
Bandit pilot he replaced and at times seemed to
just bang the heavily loaded ships off the ground.
Shortly after taking over the gun platoon he
rolled up a 40mm pooper and 38 rocket ship with a
weak engine during counter mortar at night leaving
Tay Ninh West. During this period Tay Ninh was
taking 122m and mortars on a 24 hour regular
schedule.
Shortly after being made an AC in UH1C during
early Jan 68 operating out of Soui Da just east
of Nui Ba Den in Tay Ninh province I somehow was
AC in an expended low fuel C model up near the
fish hook after covering med evac with the newly
assigned Capt Patulea as peter pilot. It was black
as pitch and stormy and i was trying to get a GCA
in. Hoping not to run into Nui Ba Den mountain.
As i started approach I told Greg he might should
take the aircraft since he was experienced fixed
wing Standard ticket pilot. I was scared and
wishful and sure he would do a better job. I'm was
not relieved when he declined and confided in me
he was night blind and hated flying at night but
please don't tell a soul as he had skated by
hiding it. We obviously made it in and i never
said a word but thought it might have contributed
to his later upset. His many night exploits must
have been difficult. He was a friend to a very
young pilot. I am sure he had a very long list of
decorations.
From: Sterling Holbrook, Stogie 17