HONORED ON PANEL 47W, LINE 30 OF THE WALL
JAMES K MCALEER III
WALL NAME
JAMES K MCALEER III
PANEL / LINE
47W/30
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
HOME OF RECORD
COUNTY OF RECORD
STATE
BRANCH OF SERVICE
RANK
REMEMBRANCES
LEFT FOR JAMES K MCALEER III
POSTED ON 10.27.2007
POSTED BY: CLAY MARSTON
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THIS FINE YOUNG UNITED STATES ARMY OFFICER WHOSE NAME SHALL LIVE FOREVER MORE
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
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POSTED ON 4.3.2007
POSTED BY: Brandon Carnahan
Thank you.
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.
Your sacrifice was not in vain, and I thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice for your country.
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POSTED ON 7.25.2006
POSTED BY: Bill Nelson
NEVER FORGOTTEN
FOREVER REMEMBERED
"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."
Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.
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.
From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers
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POSTED ON 12.4.2002
POSTED BY: McColt
Co-Pilot
James McAleer III was the co-pilot for Verlyn Gwen Meyer the night of their deaths. The other two crew members were Patrick Edward Ward and David Ferry, door gunners. The story of what happened that night can be found on Captain Meyer's site. It's quite a story.
I have spent a great deal of time trying to find all of the crew members, their pictures and obituaries and families. So far, I have found three. I hope to find the fourth.
Warrant Officer James Kenneth McAleer III, 22, son of James K. Jr. and Audrey McAleer of Steele, North Dakota, died recently when his helicopter crashed and burned in South Vietnam. He will be buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Steele, after services at St. Francis DeSales Church.
McAleer was reported missing August 22, when his helicopter was shot down by enemy small arms fire.
He was born in 1946 in Pittsburgh, Pa. and attended school in Pennsylvania and the State School of Forestry in Bottineau, North Dakota. In September, 1966, he enlisted in the Army.
After assignment to the 101st Airborne in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, he was sent to Vietnam where he served with the 92nd Assault Helicopter Co.
James is survived by his parents; five brothers and sisters, Sheila of Fargo and Allan, Diane, Rodger and Maureen all at home and grandparents, Mrs. and Mrs. Al Lagendahl.
+ + + + + +
God rest your soul, James.
Attached photo courtesy of 92nd AHC Web Site.
I have spent a great deal of time trying to find all of the crew members, their pictures and obituaries and families. So far, I have found three. I hope to find the fourth.
Warrant Officer James Kenneth McAleer III, 22, son of James K. Jr. and Audrey McAleer of Steele, North Dakota, died recently when his helicopter crashed and burned in South Vietnam. He will be buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Steele, after services at St. Francis DeSales Church.
McAleer was reported missing August 22, when his helicopter was shot down by enemy small arms fire.
He was born in 1946 in Pittsburgh, Pa. and attended school in Pennsylvania and the State School of Forestry in Bottineau, North Dakota. In September, 1966, he enlisted in the Army.
After assignment to the 101st Airborne in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, he was sent to Vietnam where he served with the 92nd Assault Helicopter Co.
James is survived by his parents; five brothers and sisters, Sheila of Fargo and Allan, Diane, Rodger and Maureen all at home and grandparents, Mrs. and Mrs. Al Lagendahl.
+ + + + + +
God rest your soul, James.
Attached photo courtesy of 92nd AHC Web Site.
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