Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 68-15325
The Army purchased this helicopter 0169
Total flight hours at this point: 00000993
Date: 12/04/1969
Incident number: 69120404.KIA
Unit: 68 AVN
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: ZT004302 (To see this location on a map, go to https://legallandconverter.com/p50.html and search on Grid Reference 48PZT004302)
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Also: OPERA (Operations Report. )
Loss to Inventory
Crew Members:
P CW2 HICKMAN DAVID ALLEN KIA
G SP5 VELEZ-HERNANDEZ JOSE A KIA
CE SGT ROYSTON ROY LEE KIA
Passengers and/or other participants:
SP4 TRINCHITELLA FRANCIS A, AR, PX, KIA
War Story:
G SP5 VELEZ-HERNANDEZ JOSE A & Royston, Roy L. Sgt 12-16-69, were my room mates with the 68th AHC. Royston was the crew chief, I was flying that ship for about 1 week as mine was in hanger for maintenance. The night before VELEZ asked me if I would fly his ship the next day. He wanted to trade missions due to the fact that 325 would be going to Swan Loc (spelling). So I told him if he can get it changed with ops, that was fine with me. The next day when returning to Bien Hoa, they came on the radio and said 325 went down with 4 KIAs. I would have been on the ship if VELEZ had asked me to change. This has been on mind for many years, as he was going to be home for Christmas. Royston died in Japan in hospital, I am not sure about the other pilot.
From: John Bagosy
This record was last updated on 09/15/2013
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Date posted on this site: 11/13/2023
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