THE WALL OF FACES

Bob and I had the same Instructor Pilot, Joe Roundtree Of Southern Airways, at Fr. Wolters, TX in 1964. He was a true gentleman. Flying Dustoff (MedEvac0 missions was a very dangerous mission. Bob earned a pouch of Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He belonged to a very elite fraternity of soldiers. I think of him, Joan and Alexis often.

Robert...Honoring you on your birthday...God bless

Dear Captain Robert Cottman,
Thank you for your service as a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander (Helicopter Pilot) with the Medical Corps. Thank you for the lives you saved. It is so important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

At approximately 0430 hours on October 19, 1968, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H (tail number 66-17010) departed Soc Trang, Vietnam, airfield in a 82nd Medical Detachment (helicopter ambulance) to evacuate an urgent American casualty from the vicinity of Tam Binh. Pick-up was accomplished and the aircraft proceeded to the 29th Evacuation Hospital, Can Tho, Vietnam, to discharge their patient. At approximately 0445, a call was made from the aircraft to PFC Aljolson Shepherd, radio operator in the admissions and dispositions office of the 29th Evacuation Hospital stating that Dustoff 87 was bringing in one ambulatory patient, negative litter exchange, ETA 18 minutes. The aircraft arrived at the 29th Evacuation Hospital helipad approximately 8 minutes later. The aircraft landed with the search light and/or landing light on and facing the admittance & discharge entrance door. PFC Franklin W. Gabel, litter bearer on duty at the 29th Evacuation Hospital, approached the helicopter to assist the offloading of the patient. The patient was assisted out of the aircraft by either the medic or crew chief. As the patient was helped off the helicopter, the medic or crew chief motioned PFC Gabel to come closer and the crew member asked PFC Gabel, "What time is breakfast?" PFC Gabel answered, "6 o’clock." The crew member nodded and yawned. PFC Gabel escorted the patient to the emergency room. The aircraft turned on either the search light or the landing light, picked up to hover, turned left, 180 degrees and took off. The search or landing light was turned off as the aircraft cleared the hospital fence, (approximately 50 meters). Aircraft appeared to climb to 150 feet upon departure and headed toward the Song Hau Giaug (Mekong) River, approximate heading 350 degrees. A C-130 aircraft was on short final to runway 240 at Binh Thuy Air Base. The pilot of the C-130 was contacted and he stated he did not see any aircraft while on short final. SSGT Charles B. Sattler, control tower operator at Binh Thuy Air Base, states he observed an aircraft depart from Binh Thuy Naval Base. (Note: from his point of observation at night, it would be difficult to determine if aircraft was taking off from the hospital pad or navy helipad) SSGT Sattler stated "the object appeared to be in a doubtful attitude or in an aerobatic maneuver from the time I noticed it to the time of impact." SSGT Sattler further stated "the C-130 was over the landing threshold or on the runway when I noticed the object depart from the adjacent base." MAJ Smidt, PFC Gabel, SFC Harrel, LT Copeland, SP4 Acker, members of the 29th Evacuation Hospital stated an aircraft was on approach to Binh Thuy Air Base as Dustoff 87 was departing. The two aircraft seemed to converge, Dustoff 87 continuing to turn right and lose altitude until it crashed into the Mekong River. A dull or muffled explosion occurred as the aircraft struck the water a ball of fire arose. There were no survivors. The lost crewmen included pilots CAPT Robert L. Cottman and WO1 Dennis A. Groth, crew chief SP5 Stephen J. Saluga III, and medic SP5 Ronald L. Doolittle. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Captain Cottman's wife was my girl scout leader in NY. You would be hard-pressed to find a more cheerful, lovely woman. His daughter Alexis was in my girl scout troop.
I am so sad to think that he missed his life with his family. But he died serving his country, and I honor him.