JOHN ALEXANDER HOUSE II
JOHN A HOUSE II
22E/87
REMEMBRANCES
We Will Not Forget
I just received a memorial bracelet with your name on it. I will wear it proudly to remind others of your sacrifice. Rest in peace. We will not forget.
Remembering An American Hero
As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.
May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.
With respect, Sir
Curt Carter
RIP
Final Mission of U.S. Marine Corps helicopter CH-46A tail number 152501
CAPT John A. House was the pilot of an CH46A helicopter carrying personnel assigned to Company A, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division near the city of Phu Bai, South Vietnam on June 30, 1967. Among the passengers onboard the aircraft were members of Company A, LCPL Merlin R. Allen, LCPL John D. Killen, and CPL Glyn L. Runnels. Also onboard was the company's hospital corpsman, HM3 Michael B. Judd. As the helicopter approached the landing zone, the aircraft was hit by small arms fire. The aircraft was severely damaged but was able to fly for about a half mile before it crash landed in a thick jungle canopy. Co-pilot Ted Pittman managed to escape along with two enlisted crew members and four of an eight man reconnaissance team. Prior to being rescued, two of the lesser injured reconnaissance team members returned to the scene of the crash and verified the crash scene. It was reported that CAPT House was not injured from fire or the crash, but tree branches stopped his exit from the helicopter and just before he was able to get free the aircraft exploded. Although some of the personnel aboard survived, House, Allen, Judd, Runnels, and Killen were never found, nor were remains recovered that could be identified as theirs. The four men were listed as killed in action, body not recovered. [Taken from vhpa.org]