RHODES FERRIS A

CPT Ferris A. Rhodes was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 08/01/1978 at the age of 42.5 (Exact date not known.)
Flight Class 68-18
Date of Birth 01/19/1936
Served in the U.S. Army
This information was provided by SSN deceased search

More detail on this person: Major Ferris A Rhodes Declared MIA on January 3, 1971 Declared Dead on August 14, 1978 Major Ferris Rhodes of Greenwood, South Carolina died while serving in the United States Army. He was on an administrative support flight from Qui Nhon to Ban Me Thuot, South Vietnam, to collect deactivated replacement helicopters from the 155th Assault Helicopter Company for the company. Some of the men aboard were helicopter pilots, and would fly the choppers back to the base at Qui Nhon. The aircraft departed Qui Nhon at about 0900 hours on 3 January without filing a proper flight plan, nor was the weather briefing obtained prior to takeoff. About 14 miles southeast of Phu Cat, at 1120 hours, radio and radar contact was lost with the plane. Because Captain Rhodes had announced plans to remain overnight at Ban Me Thuot, no immediate searches were made. By 9 January, when Rhodes and his passengers still had not returned, search efforts were begun at 0900 hours, and continued throughout the day with no sign of the aircraft or its personnel. The area of takeoff was tricky and the weather conditions were not good. Other pilots said that if planes taking off did not reach a safe altitude fast enough, they would crash into a mountain. Cruising speed for the "BEAVER" was a mere 106 mph making it a prime target for flak. Conditions in the area indicated that the aircraft was shot down, and several years passed before the crew was finally declared dead. He is honored on Panel 5W, Row 24 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 61st ASSAULT HELICOPTER COMPANY " LUCKY STARS " 268th AVIATION BATTALION 17th AVIATION GROUP 1st AVIATION BRIGADE " FIRST IN VIETNAM "

Burial information: Greenwood Memorial Gardens, Hodges, SC

This information was last updated 04/17/2020

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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