unit history information
for C/2/20 ARA
For date 661124
C/2/20 ARA was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Binh Dinh Province, II Corps, South Vietnam
Location, LZ HAMMOND
Description: The battalion history states that an unfortunate incident occured when a round fire by Battery C went wild, landing among frienly troops, wounding 5 men. On the same day, two Battery C ships performed a daring rescue mission of the crew of a downed helicopter. The two ARA ships had just completed their firing run when the observer directing the mission went in low level to assess the damage. While the observer aircraft was down over the target area, it tool several hits and crash landed. The ARA platoon leader, CPT Alferd E. Matocha, landed his aircraft at the craft site while his wing man provided cover. With the ARA ship on the ground, the crewchief, SGT Philip Muldrow, leaped from his ship and rang to the injured crewman, firing his weapons as he went. He picked up one crewman over his shoulder and dragging the other, returned to the helicopter. Throughout this resuce mission the enemy kep withering fire on the downed aircraft and crew. Meanwhile the second ARA ship came in low over the rescue ship and while almost at a hover, sent salvo after salvo of rockets into the enemy automatic weapons positions. When he had exhausted his rocket supply, the cover ship remained in the area firing suppressive fire into the enemy positions with M-60s. As soon as the rescued personnel were aborad, CPT Matocha took off and returned them to LZ HAMMOND and medical aid. The signifiance of this operation was the professional manner in which each member of both crews maintained continuous fire on the enemy positions, allowing the rescue to take place without anyone being wounded or aircraft being hit by hostile fire. This action resulted in the recommendation for 2 Silver Stars, 2 Bronze Stars for Valor, and 3 DFCs for the Battery C personnel involved.
Comments: CPT Matocha, Alferd E.; platoon leader; ;
SGT Muldrow, Philip; CE; ;
The source for this information was 2/20 ARA History 1966 by MAJ Emil F. Moller
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
Please send additions or corrections to: Gary Roush Email address: webmaster@vhpa.org
Return to panel index
Return to Helicopter Pilot KIA index
Return to VHPA Home Page
Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023