Information on U.S. Navy helicopter UH-1B tail number 63-08570
Date: 09/01/1967 MIA-POW file reference number: 0824
Incident number: 67090113.KIA
Unit: HA(L)-3
The station for this helicopter was Vinh Binh in South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: XR430600 (To see this location on a map, go to https://legallandconverter.com/p50.html and search on Grid Reference 48PXR430600)
Number killed in accident = 2 . .
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Reference Notes. Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Also: OPERA (Operations Report. )
Loss to Inventory
Crew Members:
P LCR JOHNSON ROBERT DENNISON BNR
ME ADJ OTT EDWARD LOUIS III BNR
REFNO Synopsis:
JOHNSON, ROBERT DENNISON
Name: Robert Dennison Johnson
Rank/Branch: O4/US Navy
Unit: Helicopter Attack Squadron 3, Detachment 1, USS GARRETT COUNTY
Date of Birth: 12 February 1934 (Bridgeport CT)
Home City of Record: Dallas TX
Date of Loss: 01 September 1967
Country of Loss: South Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 093515E 1061812E (XR430600)
Status (in 1973): Killed/Body Not Recovered
Category: 5
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: UH1H
Other Personnel in Incident: Edward L. Ott III (missing)
Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 01 April 1990 with the assistance of
one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources,
correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews.
REMARKS:
SYNOPSIS: LtCdr. Robert D. Johnson was an assistant operations officer assigned
to Light Helicopter Attack Squadron 3, Detachment 1, onboard the USS GARRETT
COUNTY (LST 786). On September 1, 1967, he was scrambled on a pre-dawn emergency
launch to interdict Viet Cong forces attacking a friendly outpost. The UH1H on
which he launched carried a full crew, including Petty Officer Edward L. Ott
III, a jet engine mechanic.
The helicopter was seen to lift off the deck of the USS GARRETT COUNTY and
crash into the Bassac River. When the survivors of the crash appeared on the
river's surface, Johnson and Ott were not among them. An immediate search was
initiated using River Patrol Boats and other helicopter search aircraft. The
search lasted for several days and nights, however, the results were negative.
The cockpit/cabin portion of the aircraft was located partially covered by mud,
and debris was scattered over the river bottom. It was believed that the bodies
of Ott and Johnson could not be recovered. Both were listed as Killed, Body Not
Recovered.
This record was last updated on 05/25/1998
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Date posted on this site: 11/13/2023
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