Southern Cross information
for 178 ASHC
14 CAB 23 INF
For date 700102
178 ASHC was a US Army unit
14 CAB 23 INF was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Quang Tin Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Chu Lai
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "178th Sets Division Record" prepared by the Americal IO.
CHU LAI - The Division's 178th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASH), commonly known as the "Boxcars", became the second Chinook company in the Army to fly 40,000 hours in the CH-47 helicopter.
Presentation: LTC Jerry L. Teague (Alexandria, Va.), commanding officer of the 14th Combat Aviation Battalion, and MAJ. Robert W. Parker (Secane, Pa.) commanding officer of the 178th, were on hand as the big CH-47 flew into the "Boxcar" ramp at Chu Lai, officially logging the 40,000th hour. Mr. Michael DiGangi, Vitrol representative, presented the bronze plaque to the pilots, WOs Alan K. Olson (Salt Lake City, Utah) and Earl E. Akerhurst (Freeland, Mich.). Virtrol manufactures the CH-47 for the Army. (Note: maybe the company name was Vertol?)
Brief History: The "Boxcars" were organized at Ft. Benning, Ga., in September 1965 and became fully operational at Phu Loi in March, 1966. They moved to Chu Lai as part of Task Force Oregon and have supported the Division since April of 1967.
Comments: LTC Teague, LTC Jerry L.; CO of 14 CAB; ;
MAJ Parker, Robert W.; CO of 178th ASHC; ;
CIV DiGangi, Michael; Vitrol representative; ;
WO1 Olson, Alan K.; 178th ASHC pilot; ;
WO1 Akerhurst, Earl E.; 178th ASHC pilot; ;
The source for this information was 7001_340.SCR supplied by Les Hines (Southern Cross newspaper from 23rd Inf Div)
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
Please send additions or corrections to: Gary Roush Email address: webmaster@vhpa.org
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Last updated
12/24/1999
Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023