A Note from The Virtual Wall On 01 May 1967 the 335th Assault Helicopter Company was tasked with providing airlift for a combat assault being conducted by the 9th Infantry Division operating out of Bear Cat base. Nine aircraft departed Bien Hoa, climbed to 1500 feet, and proceeded toward Bear Cat in a staggered-left trail formation. While enroute the pilot of the #3 aircraft noted that #2 was in very close formation with the lead aircraft and did not appear to be adjusting his position appropriately when lead maneuvered. When lead began a gentle right turn his blade tips struck the blades of the #2 aircraft. Both aircraft broke up in flight. Eight men died as a result of the mid-air collision: Aboard UH-1D 66-01159 (Flight lead): MAJ Charles C. Jones, San Antonio, TX, pilot LTC Leyburn W. Brockwell, Spartanburg, SC, copilot SSG Ewell E. Acord, Lester, WV, gunner SP4 Pedro Ortiz, Selma, CA, crew chief Aboard UH-1D 64-13738 (#2 aircraft): WO John M. Andrews, Dayton, OH, pilot 2LT John D. Legg, Chickasaw, AL, copilot SP4 Robert F. Quinn, Greenville, MS, gunner PFC Lewis J. Fogler, Glen Burnie, MD, crew chief

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