Pacific Stars and Stripes information
for HMM-262

For date 680627


HMM-262 was a US Marine Corps unit
Primary service involved, US Marine Corps
Quang Tri Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Khe Sanh
Description: 27Jun58-Copter Edges to Rescue QUANG TRI, Vietnam (Special) - A Sea Knight helicopter bobbed and dipped around a hot hill near Khe Sanh to rescue nine wounded Marines under intense fire. The Marine Medium Helicopter Sq-262 transport helicopter piloted by Maj. Herman R. Bolen, of Oak Ridge, Tenn., braved three precarious landing zones in the rough terrain three miles southeast of Khe Sanh before successfully extracting the 1st Marine Regt. Leathernecks. According to Bolen, "My wingman and I were diverted from our scheduled logistics hops around the Khe Sanh hills for this emergency. "Attack jets were pounding the area surrounding one small knoll. One hundred meters separated the North Vietnamese troops from our Marines." Bolen instructed his wingman to maintain an orbit nearby in case his aircraft was downed during the extraction. Bolen's first landing was futile. The Marines were pinned to the ground further up the steep incline. "Our second approach was also unsuccessful. We spotted the Marines this time, but they were pinned down and we didn't have any room to land. "I finally moved toward the side of the hill, backed the helo in and set his rear on the ground." It was in this position the aircraft was held while the wounded were loaded. "Two mortars hit 15 meters away while the men were being helped aboard. During lift-off two more hit right behind us, damaging our aft rotor blades and oil line. We lost all oil pressure immediately." In spite of this, Bolen managed to fly the crippled aircraft and wounded Marines to the Khe Sanh medical facilities.
Comments: MAJ Bolen, Herman R.; pilot; ;

The source for this information was 6806PSS.AVN supplied by Les Hines 3/97


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Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023