THE WALL OF FACES

James Kenneth McAleer was born on August 7, 1946 and grew up in the small town of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the army in 1966 and was assigned to the 101st Airborne in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He served as a Warrant Officer (WO) in the AV branch of the United States Army, serving in the Lam Dong province of South Vietnam. He began his tour on December 8, 1967. James was the Pilot of the U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C, tail number 66-15119. He served in the 92nd Assault Helicopter Company Unit, 1st Aviation Brigade. On August 22, 1968, the helicopter took 9 hits from non-explosive ballistic projectiles from an automatic weapon. The accident caused a hostile fire resulting in four casualties. At the age of 22, James died, along with his three other crew members, Captain Verlyn Gewn Meyer, SP5 David Ferry, and SP4 Patrick Edward Ward. His body was found and returned to his family for burial at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Steele, PA.

McAleer’s dedication and ultimate sacrifice has transcended through generations. We appreciate his commitment and posthumously continue to honor him.

Rest in peace with the warriors.

James K. Macaleer III was born on August 7, 1946 and grew up in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. He left for his tour of duty, and was sent to South Vietnam. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky and was deployed with the 92nd Assault Helicopter Co. His helicopter crashed and burned in Vietnam after it was attacked by enemy small arm fire. His was reported missing on August 22, 1968. His body was found and returned to his family for burial.
Bill Nelson was also deployed in Vietnam and in a message titled “Never Forgotten” wrote “We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.” This shows the lasting impact that the loss of these young soldiers has on those who fought and those who did not.
James K. McAleer, sadly, had his life cut short but is still remembered today for his service in a war that is still the most controversial war the United States has been a part of.

HELICOPTER UH-1C 66-15119

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15119

The Army purchased this helicopter 0567

Total flight hours at this point: 00000294

Date: 02/02/68

Unit: 92 ASSAULT HELICOPTER COMPANY

This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED for Close Air Support

While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0300 feet and UNK knots.

South Vietnam

Helicopter took 3 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
The helicopter was hit in the Right Side

Systems damaged were: ELECTRICAL SYS, PERSONNEL

Casualties = 01 WIA . .

The helicopter Continued Flight.

The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated:
Survivability / Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database.
Also: UH1P3, 03331 ()

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15119

The Army purchased this helicopter 0567

Total flight hours at this point: 00000386

Date: 03/07/68

Accident case number: 680307011

Unit: 92 ASSAULT HELICOPTER COMPANY

Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 1 . . Passengers = 0

costing 1392

Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:

AC - O3 SCOTT J

P - W1 MCALEER JK

CE - E5 ARENT CB

G - E4 WARD P

Accident Summary:

A rocket exploded in the tube as it emerged.
It damaged the skin on the left side and the under carriage of the aircraft.
The aircraft continued to fly and landed without further damage

This record was last updated on 01/31/97

==========================

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15119

The Army purchased this helicopter 0567

Total flight hours at this point: 00000654

Date: 08/22/68

Incident number: 68082222.KIA

Unit: 92 ASSAULT HELICOPTER COMPANY

This was a Combat incident.
This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY for Close Air Support

While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at UNK feet and UNK knots.

South Vietnam

UTM grid coordinates: ZT254747

Helicopter took 9 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM) causing a Fire.

Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL

Casualties = 04 DOI . .

The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.

Both mission and flight capability were terminated.

Burned

Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated:
Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database.
Survivability / Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database.
Also: OPERA, UH1P3, 23503 (Operations Report. )

Loss to Inventory

Crew Members:

P - WO1 JAMES KENNETH McALEER III KIA

AC - CAPTAIN VERLYN GWEN MEYER KIA

CE - SP5 DAVID LYNN FERRY KIA

G - SP4 PATRICK EDWARD WARD KIA

This record was last updated on 05/25/98


The following is crew member information for this incident:


Name: SP5 DAVID LYNN FERRY

Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/22/68 while performing the duty of Crew Chief.

Age at death: 24.7

Date of Birth: 11/25/43

Home City: Fairbanks, AK

Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.

Unit: 92 ASSAULT HELICOPTER COMPANY

Major organization: 1st AVIATION BRIGADE

Service: U.S. Army.

The Wall location: 47W-027

Short Summary: Hostile fire while in support of Task Force South in Bao Lac.

Aircraft: UH-1C tail number 66-15119

Service number: 10893530

Country: South Vietnam

MOS: 67N2F = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer

Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea

Compliment cause: fire or burns

Vehicle involved: helicopter

Position in vehicle: crew chief

Started Tour: 11/02/67

"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew

Length of service: 01

Location: Lam Dong Province II Corps.

Reason: aircraft lost or crashed

Casualty type: Hostile - killed

The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead
Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 07/27/96


Name: WO1 JAMES KENNETH McALEER III

Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/22/68 while performing the duty of Pilot.

Age at death: 22.0

Date of Birth: 08/07/46

Home City: Bridgeville, PA

Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.

Unit: 92 ASSAULT HELICOPTER COMPANY

Major organization: 1st AVIATION BRIGADE

Flight class: 67-15

Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.

The Wall location: 47W-030

Short Summary: Hostile fire while in support of Task Force South in Bao Lac.

Aircraft: UH-1C tail number 66-15119

Service number: W3157610

Country: South Vietnam

MOS: 062B = Helicopter Pilot, Utility and Light Cargo Single Rotor

Primary cause: Hostile Fire

Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea

Compliment cause: fire or burns

Vehicle involved: helicopter

Position in vehicle: pilot

Started Tour: 12/08/67

"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - pilot

Location: Lam Dong Province II Corps.

Reason: aircraft lost or crashed

Casualty type: Hostile - killed

The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead
Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 07/27/96


Name: CAPTAIN VERLYN GWEN MEYER

Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/22/68 while performing the duty of Aircraft
Commander.

Age at death: 25.9

Date of Birth: 09/20/42

Home City: Lennox, SD

Service: IN branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.

Unit: 92 ASSAULT HELICOPTER COMPANY

Major organization: 1st AVIATION BRIGADE

Service: IN branch of the U.S. Army.

The Wall location: 47W-029

Short Summary: Hostile fire while in support of Task Force South in Bao Lac.

Aircraft: UH-1C tail number 66-15119

Service number: O5533423

Country: South Vietnam

MOS: 1981 = 19 Rotary Wing Aviator (Unit Commander)

Primary cause: Hostile Fire

Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea

Compliment cause: fire or burns

Vehicle involved: helicopter

Position in vehicle: aircraft commander

Started Tour: 11/02/67

"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew

Length of service: 04

Location: Lam Dong Province II Corps.

Reason: aircraft lost or crashed

Casualty type: Hostile - killed

The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead
Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: officer
This record was last updated on 07/27/96


Name: SP4 PATRICK EDWARD WARD

Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/22/68 while performing the duty of Gunner.

Age at death: 21.0

Date of Birth: 08/19/47

Home City: Philadelphia, PA

Service: component of the U.S. Army.

Unit: 92 ASSAULT HELICOPTER COMPANY

Major organization: 1st AVIATION BRIGADE

Service: U.S. Army.

The Wall location: 47W-034

Short Summary: Hostile fire while in support of Task Force South in Bao Lac.

Aircraft: UH-1C tail number 66-15119

Service number: 52809604

Country: South Vietnam

MOS: 67A1F = Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice

Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea

Compliment cause: fire or burns

Vehicle involved: helicopter

Position in vehicle: door gunner

Started Tour: 11/02/67

"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew

Length of service: 01

Location: Lam Dong Province II Corps.

Reason: aircraft lost or crashed

Casualty type: Hostile - killed

The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead
Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 07/27/96





YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE

I am a high school senior and in my high school social studies class we are taking a field trip to the wall in Washington D.C. as part of our study for Vietnam. For a project before the field trip we were all asked to choose a soldier who died in Vietnam. The person was to have some sort of connection to us, and I chose Warrant Officer McAleer because he was from my hometown. He will be honored by a compiling of a short biography, and when I visit the wall I will make a rubbing of his name.

Your sacrifice was not in vain, and I thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice for your country.