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HONORED ON PANEL 40W, LINE 2 OF THE WALL
ROBERT LEE COTTMAN
WALL NAME
ROBERT L COTTMAN
PANEL / LINE
40W/2
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
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LEFT FOR ROBERT LEE COTTMAN
POSTED ON 5.27.2024
POSTED BY: John St.Clair
My father’s friend
Vietnam Journal
October 19, 1968
Written by Lt. Col. Ed St. Clair
We are going into the past tense for today's journal. It was a Saturday, 30 years ago, today, and there wasn't much going on. Only the death of a friend and his crew. Please honor the memory of Captain Robert Cottman, 27, of Princess Anne, Maryland, and his crew.
Bob was a dustoff pilot, who wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Soc Trang Army Air Field, by coming to drink at the small bar we had at the MACV House. He and I were developing a budding friendship, and he had invited me to go with him on a milk run to the big PX in Saigon. For reasons not remembered, other than I was leery of flying when I didn't have to, I turned down his offer.
He and his crew were last seen alive near the Can Tho Air Field and the Bien Thuy Air Force Base, which were pretty close. We never did find out exactly what happened, but the chopper crashed into the river running between the two facilities.
For years, I couldn't remember his last name, and over time I had begun to think the accident happened in December. Finally, a few months ago, thanks to members of the VHPA, I was directed a page on the web listing the KIAs; and it was today, 30 years ago, that God stepped in and kept me on the ground.
One VHPA member told me that he thinks the weather was overcast, with a low ceiling, and that a plane coming in for a landing at Bien Thuy emerged in the clouds in the same space that the Dustoff was in, and that Bob lost control trying to evade a midair crash.
The notification on the web lists Bob's as a non-hostile death. Bull roar! He was there because of the Vietnam War, and death is death.
Join me in a toast to the memory of Captain Bob Cottman, U S Army, from Princess Anne, Maryland; and his crew. You can find Bob on Panel 40W, Row 002. Please say "hello" when you next visit the Wall.
October 19, 1968
Written by Lt. Col. Ed St. Clair
We are going into the past tense for today's journal. It was a Saturday, 30 years ago, today, and there wasn't much going on. Only the death of a friend and his crew. Please honor the memory of Captain Robert Cottman, 27, of Princess Anne, Maryland, and his crew.
Bob was a dustoff pilot, who wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Soc Trang Army Air Field, by coming to drink at the small bar we had at the MACV House. He and I were developing a budding friendship, and he had invited me to go with him on a milk run to the big PX in Saigon. For reasons not remembered, other than I was leery of flying when I didn't have to, I turned down his offer.
He and his crew were last seen alive near the Can Tho Air Field and the Bien Thuy Air Force Base, which were pretty close. We never did find out exactly what happened, but the chopper crashed into the river running between the two facilities.
For years, I couldn't remember his last name, and over time I had begun to think the accident happened in December. Finally, a few months ago, thanks to members of the VHPA, I was directed a page on the web listing the KIAs; and it was today, 30 years ago, that God stepped in and kept me on the ground.
One VHPA member told me that he thinks the weather was overcast, with a low ceiling, and that a plane coming in for a landing at Bien Thuy emerged in the clouds in the same space that the Dustoff was in, and that Bob lost control trying to evade a midair crash.
The notification on the web lists Bob's as a non-hostile death. Bull roar! He was there because of the Vietnam War, and death is death.
Join me in a toast to the memory of Captain Bob Cottman, U S Army, from Princess Anne, Maryland; and his crew. You can find Bob on Panel 40W, Row 002. Please say "hello" when you next visit the Wall.
POSTED ON 11.14.2022
POSTED BY: Edward A Cottman, Sr.
You saved many lives.
POSTED ON 10.19.2022
POSTED BY: Grateful Vietnam Veteran, WIA
Distinguished Flying Cross Award
Captain Robert L. Cottman was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. He served as a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander and was assigned to the 82ND MED DET, 68TH MED GROUP, 44TH MED BDE.
See http://www.coffeltdatabase.org/detreq2.php
See http://www.coffeltdatabase.org/detreq2.php
POSTED ON 10.19.2022
POSTED BY: Grateful Vietnam Veteran, WIA
Bronze Star Medal Awards for Valor and Merit
Captain Robert L. Cottman was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, with Combat Distinguishing Device (V), for his exemplary gallantry in action. He was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Merit for his sustained meritorious service. He served as a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander and was assigned to the 82ND MED DET, 68TH MED GROUP, 44TH MED BDE.
See http://www.coffeltdatabase.org/detreq2.php
See http://www.coffeltdatabase.org/detreq2.php