SwiftVets.com

[CW2 RE Chappell]

I flew Chinook helicopters for the Army near the Saigon area. Had the opportunity to evac a Swift Boat crewman that had been shot in the head during a firefight on the river near the "Pineapple" area west of Saigon. The boats pulled into a 199th Light Infantry Brigade firebase on a canal and sought medical help. I was there loading empty ammunition boxes on a scrounging mission seeking building material. We dumped the boxes, loaded up the crewman and haulled ass for the hospital in Saigon. Later, we received word from the Navy that the crewman had survived due to the short time between his wounding and his arrival at the hospital. Part of the reason for the shortness of the flight was the speed at which I flew the aircraft....pulled the maximum speed I could and incurred the wrath of the maintenance officer and my CO until it was suggested by the Navy that we were due some sort of award. Avoided a very nasty scene as a result.

My real award from all that was knowing the guy survived due to our being able to help him. That was and is one of the things I talk about...it was good to be able to help someone that needed a hand. I would like to talk to anyone that might remember that event. If we could track down the wounded guy it would be even better. I can offer him another helicopter ride...but in much nicer surroundings.

Anyone remember this event?

[LewWaters]

Hello and welcome, CW2. I too was Army helicopters, OH-6A in Nam and 58s later in Germany and Ft. Bragg. Although I don't know about the incident you describe, I do remember a similar incident being written about some time ago in Vietnam magazine when Chinooks were first sent over to Nam.

Nice to also see someone also in the area. I'm south of you in Vancouver.

[rbshirley]