THE WALL OF FACES

Not sure where this Bruce Clark buy is coming from but I am the one who recovered Capt. Green and M. De Paul. It was my job as the head of the Mortuary at the airfield. I pull both out along and was begging for help while many just stood and looked in shock. It angers me that this man died a hero and the pilot did and Clark is telling false stories...

Captain Robert Carrell Green, Served with C Troop, 16th Cavalry Regiment, 164th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

On March 17, 1971, a U.S. Army helicopter AH-1G (tail number 67-15676) from C Troop (Air), 16th Cavalry, was involved in a mid-air collision with an Air America Pilatus PC-6 Porter fixed-wing aircraft over Can Tho Airfiled. The AH-1G, call sign Darkhorse 32 (DH 32), was crewed by instructional pilot CW2 Michael J. DePaul and pilot CAPT Robert C. Green. CW2 Depaul was 0.8 hours (estimated) into the aircraft check ride with CAPT Green. The Air America Portor, call sign 93R, had called in to Can Tho tower for landing instructions 6 miles west on a VHF radio frequency. The tower replied, "93R, straight in runway 08, winds 090/15, altimeter 29.83, report 2 mile final." This was acknowledged by 93R. At this point, for clarification sake, it is stated that the AH-1G was transmitting and receiving to the tower on a UHF frequency. His VHF was not being utilized. The Portor had only VHF, therefore neither aircraft could hear the other’s transmissions although they could hear all the tower transmission. DH 32 called on downwind for an autorotation to the active runway. DH 32 was cleared #2 for an autorotation on the active. The #1 in the traffic was an OH-58 helicopter just touching down on B row helipad. DH 32 entered the maneuver on final when the tower saw a fixed wing on final less than a mile from the airfield boundary. The tower asked the fixed wing for his ID, the response was, "93 R, one mile out here." The tower then instructed 93 R to slow his approach. Flaps were applied to an intermediate setting (examination of wreckage). Airspeed of 70 to 80 knots was then attained (80 knots being maximum flap speed). The Cobra’s airspeed at this point in a straight in autorotation would be 60 to 70 knots indicated. The tower then realized that the two aircraft were dangerously close. DH 32 was instructed to "go around." The reply was, "This is DH" to which the tower immediately repeated, "DH 32, go around." Again, the reply was "DH 32 on the go." Immediately, following that last reply by DH 32, 93R was asked if he saw the Cobra. The reply was "Negative." The tower immediately repeated, "93R, do you see the Cobra?" to which was replied "Negative, going around 93R." The tower then called "93R make a–oh!” when impact occurred at that time. The PC-6 hit the Cobra from above and behind. The Cobra fell forward and to the north side of the active runway. The left skid contacting a seven foot high pile of PSP (remains of the old runway which had been bull dozed into a pile). The Cobra at this point was in a left bank. It then slid forward off the PSP pile and came to rest on its left side. Both crewmen suffered fatal injuries in the crash. After impact with the Cobra, the Porter rolled to the left to an inverted position nose low and impacted into an empty revetment 50 meters east of the Cobra. Its pilot, CAPT Kenneth A. Houp, was killed. The number of occupants in the Porter reported as one, three, and six. [Taken from vhpa.org and utdallas.edu]

Think about the good times. Thats about all thats left. Be with God.

I still think of you Bob and for good reason. We just got off the bus at Ft. Dix and were standing in line to sign in and get our Army clothing. Probably because of our last names we spent the next 16 weeks not only in the same company and same platoon but side by side in the same squad. I remember the first time the drill sergeants let us go on post for a beer. You drained yours and I still had most of a glass. You dropped your false teeth in my beer and said 'You probably don't want that now' and drank it. We drank quite a bit of beer over the next year or two and I always had my hand over my glass. At OCS at Ft. Benning it was the same, next to each other in the same platoon. When we got our commissions we both had orders for flight school but our starting date was a couple of months away so we both went to Ft. Bliss Texas and lived next to each other. In Primary Flight School at Mineral Wells, Tx. we lived in the same trailer park and of course our trailers were next to each other. You met a beautiful lady and I was best man at your wedding. We separated then, you went to Cobra school in Georgia and I went to Huey school at Ft. Rucker. In Vietnam I flew for the 1st Cav. in III corps and you went to IV corps. I haven't been to the 'Wall' yet but when I do your name will be the first I look for. My daughter was in Washington several years ago on a school trip and found your name. She had someone trace it for her and it hangs in my office to this day. One day I will make the trip from Louisiana to Idaho to visit your grave. When I do I will say once again that you were the best friend I have ever had.