Helicopter UH-1D 66-16323

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-16323
The Army purchased this helicopter 0467
Total flight hours at this point: 00001321
Date: 01/08/69
Incident number: 69010888.KIA
Unit: 170 AHC
South Vietnam
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:
AC 1LT GILLES ALAN CLARK KIA
P WO1 ROCHE JON PATRICK KIA
CE SP4 CASE ROBERT DON KIA
G SP4 BARTMAN STEVEN DOUGLAS KIA

Passengers:
SP4 WILLIAMS BILL FRED JR, AR, PX, KIA; SSG APPERSON GERALD FRANKLIN, AR, PX, KIA;

War Story:
I was a CE with the 170th AHC at Camp Holloway, Pleiku. On 01-08-69 my UH-1H 66-16323 crashed killing all on board. I'm not sure about the tail number, it has been a long time. The pilot was 1LT Alan Gilles, 05344197, MOS 1981. An overdue flight physical saved my life that day. I took two days off to get myself together and resumed flying. I never found out what happened because my father died and I was sent home. The information I got was from other eyewitnesses that observed what happened that day. They said he had received hits in the main transmission while climbing out of the PZ with some FOB-2 SF on board. They told him to land, he refused, said he wanted to land at Ben Het SF Camp. His Huey had smoke pouring out of the hellhole. By this time he decided to land, and started an autorotation. When he rolled off the throttle the transmission seized. I think there were ten souls on board. Michael P. Loyd, CE akflyer@juno.com 170th AHC Apr66-Feb69 B Trp 2-17th Cav Oct70-Jan72 48th AHC Jan72-May72 13 Jul 199

This record was last updated on 09/20/98

The following is crew member information for this incident:

Name: 1LT Alan Clark Gilles
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/08/69 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander.
Age at death: 22.3
Date of Birth: 09/13/46
Home City: Pacoima, CA
Service: IN branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 170 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 68-16
Service: IN branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 35W-054
Short Summary: In fire of burning helicopter.
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-16323
Service number: O5344197
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 1981 = 19 Rotary Wing Aviator (Unit Commander)
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Started Tour: 09/08/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 02
Location: Unknown Province
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Methodist (Evangelical United Brethren)
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: officer
This record was last updated on 07/13/97

Name: WO1 Jon Patrick Roche
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/08/69 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 21.9
Date of Birth: 02/05/47
Home City: Canisteo, NY
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 170 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 68-505/68-3
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 35W-054
Short Summary: In fire of burning helicopter. Helicopter air casualty - aircrew
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-16323
SSN: 123360567 Service number: W3160828
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 062B = Helicopter Pilot, Utility and Light Cargo Single Rotor
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: pilot
Started Tour: 10/26/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: *
Location: Unknown Province
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - died while missing
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 07/13/97

Name: SSG Gerald Franklin Apperson (posthumously promoted)
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/08/69 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Age at death: 33.1
Date of Birth: 12/06/35
Home City: Hot Springs, SD
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: Special Forces
Major organization: Special Forces
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 35W-053
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-16323
Service number: 55468305
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 05B4S = Radio Operator
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 11/04/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 14
Location: Unknown Province
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Lutheran (Missouri Synod)
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 07/13/97

Name: SP4 Bill Fred Williams, Jr.
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/08/69 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Age at death: 21.0
Date of Birth: 12/28/47
Home City: Marion, NC
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: Special Forces
Major organization: Special Forces
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 35W-057
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-16323
Service number: 12809710
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B20 = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 10/05/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Unknown Province
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Baptist - other groups
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 07/13/97

Name: SP4 Robert Don Case
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/08/69 while performing the duty of Crew Chief.
Age at death: 20.3
Date of Birth: 09/18/48
Home City: Weaverville, CA
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 170 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 35W-053
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-16323
Service number: 18920419
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67A1F = Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: crew chief
Started Tour: 06/29/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Unknown Province
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 07/13/97

Name: SP4 Steven Douglas Bartman
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/08/69 while performing the duty of Gunner.
Age at death: 19.5
Date of Birth: 07/27/49
Home City: San Diego, CA
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 170 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 35W-053
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-16323
Service number: 18840808
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67A1F = Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: door gunner
Started Tour: 02/04/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 02
Location: Unknown Province
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 07/13/97

The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-16323
It is provided here as an ESTIMATE of the history of this helicopter and is not intended to be the final authority.
This helicopter was purchased by the US Army in 0467.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.

DATE  FLT HRS    UIC      UNIT          AREA          POST          COUNTRY
6704   1    1 WQ1CAA GEN SUPPLY DIV   4THARMY    RED RIVER AD     AVCOM          
6705   0    1 9221   ARMY AVN DIV     6TH ARMY   DUGWAY PG        TEVALCOM     
6706   0    1 9221   USARV FLT DET    VIETNAM                     RVN     
6707  12   13 2400   USARV FLT DET    VIETNAM                     RVN     
6708  23   36 WQ4VAA 92 AVN CO        5TH ARMY   FORT CARSON      5TH ARMY      
6709  23   59 WQ4VAA 92 AVN CO        5TH ARMY   FORT CARSON      5TH ARMY      
6710   0   59 WQ4VAA 92 AVN CO        5TH ARMY   FORT CARSON      5TH ARMY      
6711   3   62 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6712 129  191 WC4YAA 170 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6801 100  291 WC4YAA 170 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6802  37  328 WC4YAA 170 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6803 122  450 WC4YAA 170 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6804 107  557 WC4YAA 170 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6805 101  658 WC4YAA 170 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6806 112  770 WC4YAA 170 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6807 101  871 WC4YAA 170 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6808   5  876 WC4YAA 170 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6809  82  958 WC4YAA 170 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6810 108 1066 WC4YAA 170 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6811 100 1166 WC4YAA 170 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6812 155 1321 WC4YAA 170 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN

Please send additions or corrections to:

Gary Roush
43 Overbrook Road
Painted Post, NY 14870

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Printed from databases on: 02/27/99

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