GERALD DOUGLAS SPRADLIN
GERALD D SPRADLIN
1W/33
REMEMBRANCES
I remember Gerald
There is not a time that I drive by the cemetery where he is buried that I don't think about him. I know there is someone who remembers because the resting place is well tended. My heart goes out to you.
There is talk about getting together for a 45th reunion. While we were living life he gave his for his country. I will never forget that.
Remembering an American Hero
Dear WO Gerald Douglas Spradlin, sir
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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir
Curt Carter
Final Mission of U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 66-17771
On May 29, 1972, SP4 Larry K. Morrow was the gunner-observer on an OH-6A helicopter conducting a visual reconnaissance in Kontum Province. Enemy ground fire hit his aircraft causing it to crash and burn. On June 39, 1972, South Vietnamese Army forces searched the crash site and recovered Specialist Morrow's flight helmet and the skeletal remains of pilot WO1 Gerald D. Spradlin, who perished in the incident. The crash site area was later struck by a B-52 airstrike. Specialist Morrow was initially declared missing in action. Returning U.S. POWs had no information on his precise fate. In November 1973, he was declared killed in actionbody not recovered based on a presumptive finding of death. On December 21, 1973, a Vietnam People's Army defector reported having seen an American POW in June 1972 at a location approximately 55 kilometers from the crash site. This report was placed in Specialist Morrow's file. In August 1974, the crash site was searched again, but no further human remains were recovered. In August 1983, U.S. intelligence received information concerning the downing of a U.S. aircraft in the general area of Specialist Morrow's loss incident. One airman was reportedly killed and one captured. This report was also placed in Specialist Morrow's file. In December 1990, U.S. investigators in Vietnam visited the area of this loss incident. They interviewed a former Vietnam People's Army officer with knowledge of the area and some responsibility for U.S. POWs held in the area. Although they had information on some U.S. POWs, they had no information about Specialist Morrow, including an indication as to whether or not he had been captured alive. [Taken from vhpa.org]