THE WALL OF FACES

At approximately 7:45 PM on October 26, 1970, the 1/503rd Infantry aid station at LZ Uplift received an urgent call for the aeromedical evacuation of a U.S. soldier from the 173rd Airborne Brigade at FSB Washington, a 1400-foot-high firebase located six kilometers (3.6 miles) northwest of Phu My city in Binh Dinh Province, RVN. A 498th Medical Company UH-1H (#67-17765) helicopter, call sign Dustoff One Two, based at LZ Uplift responded within two minutes carrying two pilots, a crew chief, medic, and the medical officer from Uplift’s aid station. The flight encountered a layer of clouds or fog and light rain as they approached the mountaintop. Ground crews sent up 81mm illumination mortar rounds, each overlaying 10-15 seconds. The first approach was aborted due to lack of visual reference. The aircraft commander, CWO Donald R. Cook, went around the mountain and attempted to hover up the eastern slope over the jungle canopy. Illumination rounds continued to light up the night sky. The UH-1H came within 150 yards of the firebase when the illumination went out, instantly shrouding the area in total darkness. The loss of light was attributed to a dud flare round. Another round was immediately fired but failed to ignite soon enough. Cook attempted a right turn away from the mountain to abort his approach; however, the aircraft lost altitude and the left skid hit some treetops 25 feet above the ground. The aircraft nosed forward into a large rock formation. On impact, Cook, co-pilot WO Charles F. Smith, and medic PFC Karl L. Reineccius were thrown from the aircraft and killed. The helicopter tumbled two or three times on its way down the hill, coming to a rest on its right side between a rock formation and two large trees. The medical officer, the only survivor, was still strapped in the right-hand gun well. He unharnessed and crawled out from under the aircraft as it began to burn. The crew chief, SP4 Dennis E. Reese, apparently dead from crash injuries, remained inside. The wreckage burst into flames as the medical officer exited the helicopter. Ground troops on Washington heard the crash and quickly organized a seven-man rescue patrol. They found the medical officer and three of the bodies within minutes. The fourth body was recovered the next morning. The medical officer sustained minor injuries and was taken to the 67th Evacuation Hospital in Qui Nhon the following morning. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vhpa.org]

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever…..

Chief Warrant Officer Donald Richard Cook was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while engaged in aerial flight.
He served as a Helicopter Pilot and was assigned to the 498TH MEDICAL CO (AA), 67TH MEDICAL GROUP, 44TH MEDICAL BDE. He died attempting a nighttime, bad weather medevac of a gravely wounded soldier.
See http://coffeltdatabase.org/detreq2.php

You taught me so much about the UH-1 before you gave all. I remember sitting and talking with YOU right before your last mission. You are a true HERO in my book.