03 Apr 2007 The proud wearer of his MIA bracelet. SSgt Jason Parkinson jason.parkinson@beale.af.mil

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 11 June 1967, a UH-1D (hull number 63-12958) departed Qui Nhon Airfield on an operational mission along the coast south of Qui Nhon. Five men of the 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion (previously the 227th Aviation Battalion) were aboard the aircraft: CWO Dean E. Clinton, aircraft commander/pilot, C/227th AHB CWO Thomas F. Riggs, copilot, C/227 AHB SSG James Raymond Nelson, crew chief, C/227 AHB SSG Ralph Edward Uhlmansiek, gunner, C/227 AHB CWO Quentin R. Beecher, passenger, B/227 AHB Beecher, a rated UH-1 pilot, was "hitching a lift" on this flight; he was not a crewman. They left Qui Nhon at about 1900, planning to remain over or at most slightly seaward of the coastline. Bad weather was encountered en route and the pilot requested assistance from both Tuy Hoa and Qui Nhon radar flight following centers in determining his position. Both Tuy Hoa and Qui Nhon radar control centers had the UH-1 on radar, and both tried to direct the aircraft toward shore. In addition, a SAR aircraft was launched in an effort to intercept Clinton and lead him to safety. Darkness and rain prevented a join-up between the SAR aircraft and the UH-1. At 2057, Clinton reported that he was out of fuel and would attempt a water landing. At that time, radar placed the aircraft approximately 21 miles east of the coast line, 25 miles northeast of Tuy Hoa and 41 miles southeast of Qui Nhon. Search and rescue efforts started immediately and continued until 13 June. No trace of the UH-1 or the five men was found. In the absence of proof positive that the men were dead, they were declared Missing in Action, Category 5 (recovery unlikely). On 5 June 1973 the Secretary of the Army approved Presumptive Findings of Death for the five men.

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