Part #4, Army Helicopter Crewmen, RVN to Cold War:

Private First Class. 1st Aviation Brigade, Khaki Uniform:

Quite often these uniforms are a little confusing when applied to an individual because often, the troop flew home with another outfit, when it was time to DEROS back home you got a slot, and you went with whatever assigned group was leaving, so he may have been assigned to another unit-like the 1st Cavalry Division, yet because of the paperwork, to make it look like on paper like a section of the 1st Aviation Battalion was leaving-so it looks like the left on the books, when in fact, many of these men were being bounced around all over before going home, and when they went home, and the confusion did not end there- many ended up with completely different units upon arrival home, and if they stayed in the service-needed to find a place they could work, while others were tired of the paperwork and confusion, just left the army.

And unless one was assigned to a hot place, the uniform made its way into the locker not to be used again, and those intending to leave the military, as soon as possible, left them in the airports, quickly changing into civilian clothes, so as not to be harassed by the civilian hippies in the airports abusing the soldiers. But that’s another story, and absolutely a stain on the country, and these protesters…well, let us just say, shame on them, I wouldn’t have anything to do with them. These uniforms I tend to call their going-home suits.

Sergeant, 1st Aviation crewman.

Throughout the war, the 1st Aviatian would have their aviators assigned to several Aviation companies. This uniform has a story I have to dig up again, but it is built up around the “Camouflage” taped helmet, I love the improvisation here when OD-paint wasn’t available, and he had become very clear that his bright white helmet might draw attention.

The photo shows a rough application, and understandably so, ours has had a bit more attention, I guess as my uniforms generally tend to show, just happens that way. He could have been flying with several other Army-Flight Crewmen of the ‘60s, you may have already noted all the different companies, that are part of the 1st Aviation Brigade, in the collection. The private in the photo at the bottom is with MACV, and the helmet is a bit rougher, but is an excellent example of in-country improvising, and understandably so, white sorta stands out even in the air, he is in an early model gunship aka hog, the second picture-the much larger cabin clear on the UH-1D/H Slick.

“Updated” Staff Sergeant, Crewchief, 1st Aviation Brigade, unspecified helicopter Company:

While since I added this and the following couple of uniforms, I have found a bag of pocket-patch “FOBs” and they may have been used with these uniforms, but I have no idea what went where at this point, and many uniforms were turned over when washed, and a new set grabbed up- never actually receiving insignia on them, other than pin-on type ranks and the like, so to represent some of these sterol uniforms, rather deliberate due to their mission, or convenience, I will keep them this way for a while, Tin one shows that he was assigned to the 1st Aviation Brigade, but not what specific helicopter unit he is with, just a fob of the popular Vietnam / Cambodia / Laos - Wargames “Un-official” tag, meaning he was involved with the cross-border operations with the ARVN, in the final years of our involvement in the war.

The fatigue shirt was quite common, along with the jungle fatigues, which were the norm, of these flight crews as opposed to the fire retardant lightweight blouse, common in my collection. The pictures are mostly Huey Helicopters, but who’s to say he’s now in another type of helicopter?

“Updated” Sergeant, Helicopter ‘Crew Chief’, “No Satisfaction”, 1st AVN. BG:

My first thought of Sergeant Carmichael is that of an Army Flight Crewman, of the early 1970s perhaps, or camouflaged up for the Cambodian or Laotian cross-border, 17th Cavalry, and 101st Airborne (AIR) operations with the “ARVN”.

It was not the best of times, while the 101st was a prestigious outfit, and he knew he was in good company. The war was winding down (theoretically) for the American Forces, at least that’s what the public was told, troops were still doing their tours of Vietnam, a 1-year deployment, often ran into 13-14 months, and while the US Forces were pulling out, and going home, the Communist NVA and VC forces were obviously building, and the ARVN would be hard strapped to hold the line, and the Americans knew it.

The idea was to make waves, not go looking for fights, and just want to get home, but they were out flying every day still, in harm’s way, flying the ARVN in Laos and Cambodia, and not getting any recognition for it, they were like ghosts in the news, so it went. The war was unpopular, and very negative in the news, and no one wanted to hear about it, many here did not even think about the Far East war going on.

He wears one of the ERDL brown pattern jungle fatigue cut, jackets, these were rarely used let alone issued to the flight crewmen but were obtained from various means, like the dirty or washed clothes piles outside the base laundries, or had them custom-made, it wasn’t till later in 1969, and into the 70’s that these became standard issue for the troops in-country, in the states they were being seen much more often, regular army, you get the equipment when the war is over the situation.

His flight helmet is typical of the era and retains the leather, which later became all canvas and web materials. He has managed to get enough downtime to mark up the shell and visor cover, it has the famous “Rolling Stones” Mouth emblem for the rock and roll band of the times. “No satisfaction” may have been the name of one of the aircraft he was assigned to at one time, or he was trying to express his feelings on the Army Operations or his general feelings on the war, but express it does. It is another pristine example of this type of helmet, obviously kept in its travel bag when not in use.

The vest shown is an experimental, lightweight version of a flight vest. He would probably have matching trousers, leather boots, and a weapon with him, sometimes several, it was common to carry a 45 auto pistol on the belt warn to the front to protect the family jewels, or a revolver in a shoulder holster, or on a western style belt, along with their CAR-15 or M-16 next to their seat, sometimes an M79 with flechette rounds with it.

The uniform had no unit insignias originally, but I had these pocket hanger patches sitting here for some time, not knowing what they went with, or when or why, so I decided to display them with this uniform, with no reference, I’ll call at about the time when we the US had pulled back from Cambodia, and everyone just wanted to chill, not wanting a big fight, but to get home. It was the calm before the storm, and soon after the US forces at large had pulled out, the rebuilt, and re-supplied Northern forces overwhelmed the Souther ARVN forces and the conflict finally was over, well then there were the border battles.

Corporal, 173rd Assault Helicopter Company “HALES ANGELS”:

OK sometimes, I can’t get the dope on the individual Helicopter units, or units with helicopters as it were, one is the “Hales Angels”, I’m not sure exactly sure when or where this fellow fits into the story of 173rd Assault Helicopter Company, They are known for their call sign of the "Robin Hoods” for their lift-platoon and, and the Crossbows for the Guns" during the War in Vietnam. But It may have been just the “Third Platoon”, Gunships called "Crossbow" that adorned the emblem for “Hales Angles” I just don’t know how it worked.

But the story for the 173rd Aviation Company is available and they were activated on 26 January 1966, deploying to Vietnam in March of 1966. The 173rd was assigned as a part of the 1st Aviation Brigade’s, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion, located at Phu Loi, but made their base at Lai Khe. The 173rd supported elements of the 1st, 9th, and 25th Infantry Divisions in the III Corps Tactical Zone, North of Saigon.

The 173rd Aviation Company underwent a name change and became the “173rd Assault Helicopter Company” becoming an element of “Air-mobile”.

The 173rd AHC served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1972, when the unit stood down and came home. All of the American Armed Forces were being briskly pulled out of Vietnam, leaving the South Vietnamese to deal with North Vietnam Regeam, with little to fight with, limited supplies, no means of support, and really just a promise.

This still seems to have become a nasty historical pattern for American Forces who go in, kicking in doors, and getting 90% of the operation done, and the politicians, decide we need to go! And we leave, just like that after 10-11 years, wasting a lot of time, people, and trust, and losing all those who took the risk of working with us, it sorta started in Korea in the 1950s, there was a big problem over there (and still is), then Vietnam, and the Middle East Campaigns, and it’s going to bite us. And it hurts the Veterans as most of us will never know.

The 173rd AHC was awarded the Valorous Unit Award and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. Private First Class, Gary G. Wetzel was awarded our nation's most precious award, the "Medal of Honor" by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

This uniform depicts an early version of the fatigue uniform, still issued in the mid-1960s, nice for Europe and the states, but maybe, not so much in Vietnam, they were phased out by the time the US Military Forces left Vietnam. The White Helmets were the initial lot, safety first the idea, but soon realized the drawback of wearing white helmets in the aircraft while under fire. It’s interesting on the back of the helmet, with his name painted on, he used the “Corp.” instead of the “CPL” designation for Corporal (Rank), maybe he was tired, or shook-up from some incident when he was trying to take his mind off of the War for a few minutes, or, like me, not good at spelling.

Spec-5, 173 Abn. Casper Platoon:

The Casper Aviation Platoon has the distinction of being the only separate aviation platoon, of the United States Army, that started the War and finished the Vietnam War. On 5 May 1965, the 173rd Brigade started to deploy to the Republic of South Vietnam, and when they did, they became the first U.S. Army ground unit committed to the Vietnam War.

The Casper flight platoon element, of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, was started back on Okinawa in 1963, and as so, came over with the Brigade on May 5, 1965. Their first Commanding Officer was Captain Don Bliss, and they set up camp at Bien Hoa Air Base. The Casper Platoon proudly supported the Brigade until they all left Vietnam in August 1971.

The Brigade Aviation Platoon's original call-sign, and Unit Pocket Patch, was "Casper the Friendly Ghost", for obvious reasons, this was soon, shortened to "Casper" during flight operations.

The platoon originally had a couple of OH-13 Observation Helicopters, that had been field modified to carry Two .30 Calibre, Browning Machine-Guns, and went by the callsign of "Hot Stuff", later in 1968 they started receiving the more popular LOHs, OH6 Observation Helicopters, and became the main Scout Helicopters, and they started to use the call-sign "Inferno", and so Pocket Patchs would follow suit. The lift platoon continued to use the "Casper" call sign. And that did what most other flight groups did in moving people, and looking for stuff, and moving stuff, and more often than not shooting at stuff. The Brigade Headquarters (Rear) was located in An Khe and the Brigade Headquarters (Forward) was at Camp Enarie in Pleiku along with the Casper Platoon back at the "Crap Table" in An Khe.

This Crewman, likely a Crew Chief, or in line to be, wears standard jungle fatigues, an earlier pattern, and is complete in its subdued format, except for the “Fob” pocket hanger patch on the shirt pocket. The Casper Patch is believed to have been designed by Warrant Officer Don McGregor, who had come to the platoon after its deployment. And Bachali first started painting "Casper the Ghost" on all the aircraft, and when that finished, he started on the Crewmember’s Flight Helmets.

Note: for more information on the platoon, you might check out - Casper Aviation Platoon (casperplatoon.com).

WO1, 176 AHC, 1st Flight Platoon, Slick Pilot:

The 1st Flight Platoon, of the 176th Assault Helicopter Company, was called the "Dragons". The 176th Avn Co. had been activated on 1 October 1965, at Fort Benning, in Georgia.

The 176th left the States in February 1967 and they deployed to Tuy Hoa. 176th soon became the “176th Assault Helicopter Company. They were soon used in support of “Task Force Oregon” there they were to support the 101st Airborne operating in the Tam Ky and Doc Phu Area.

For a time, the 176th AHC was assigned to the 17th Combat Aviation Group, in Nha Trang. Then on 14 February 1967, they were assigned to the 14th Combat Aviation Battalion at Lane Army Heliport, but they were putting together a new camp at Phu Hiep.

Then in September 1967, they moved again, their new base of operations would be Chu Lai, working there until 1971. The next move was to Duc Pho and worked with the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. They moved along with the 101st all the way to Chu Lai, and operations continued to the mountains west of Tam Ky, flying with various ground units that made Task Force Oregon.

Next, the 176th AHC “Minutemen” as the company was called, was assigned to support the 198th Light Infantry Brigade, and they operated in the typical “Air-Mobile” sort of operations and used Ky Ha as their Base Camp for direct support for the whole I Corps Area.

Then on 4 December 1967, the 176th AHC was called on to do some special, classified-type operations, and would be working with the 5th Special Forces Group. Operating out of Marble Mountain Airfield west of Da Nang. All of the 176th AHC 3rd Gunship Platoon "Musket" missions across border operations into Laos and Cambodia were classified.

Then near the end of January 1968, the 176th AHC with all the other elements of the 14th Combat Aviation Battalion's Task Force Oregon was absorbed into the 23rd Infantry Division (Recommisiond at Chu Lai, in 1967) and they became part of what is referred as the "Americal Division".

They were then operating out of Quang Tri Province during the operation “Lam Son 719” when they supported the ARVN incursion into Laos in 1971, this was mostly rough, the South-Vietnames Infantry Forces completely collapsed, and had to get picked up by the American flyers, they overwhelmed the aircraft, and they could not even get off the ground, it was pandamonium, forced to move and the officers were either killed by the enemy or possibly the ARVN troops themselves!

It was a clue of what was to come. They oiled up the skids and decided they would only hover so one or two troops could get on at a time, it was, in hind-site, the beginning of the end. There were other helicopter companies that would be involved in this fiasco and experienced the same outcome, a very sad and dark part of the war.

The 176th AHC continued to excel in its high degree of mission readiness and accomplishment and became one of the most elite helicopter units of the Vietnam War.

The 176th proudly led the way and helped to develop the Air Assault concept in battle. The 176th AHC was awarded the Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award, and two Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. Charles S. Kettles Flight Commander was awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1969 platoon leader Captain Darrell Adams was awarded the Medal of Honor.

This uniform depicts a Warrant Officer in the 176th Assult Helicopter Company. His cap has the metal type insignia pinned to it, while his uniform is made up of all cloth insignia. The name tapes and Americal Division shoulder patch are all of the subdued formats, as per norm, the pocket patch is full color, and denotes the 1st Flight Platoon, of the 116th AHC. On his helmet’s visor cover, the patch and divisional insignia have been painted on it, with his Warrant Officer insignia and name on the back.

Staff Sgt. 176th AHC. 2nd Flt. Plt “Slicks”:

The second uniform in my collection, flying with 176th AHC “Minutemen”, the 2nd Platoon’s call sign was “Snoopy” and their pocket patches and helicopter markings followed suit. The story is the same-exactly the date would be a guess, but this style was starting to get to the field just a few years before the pull-out of Vietnam.

The helmet appears to have been sprayed black all around perhaps in an attempt at camouflage, but sitting in a big old helicopter still makes him quite a good target, maybe it was all scratched up this was the quick fix? with this rank, he was likely the crew chief for the aircraft.

Captain, 188th Assault Helicopter Company 3rd Platoon Guns "Spiders":

The 188th Aviation Company had been activated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in November 1966. They were given the title of the 188th Aviation Company (Air Mobile Light - AML), and they were to be a part of the 101st Aviation Battalion. They deployed to Vietnam in four separate groups at the end of April 1967. There they were assigned to the First Aviation Brigade, making their base camp inside the old Michelin Rubber Plantation, one of the largest in Vietnam, at a place called Dau Tieng.

Camp Rainiin as it was known, was located in the Western section of III Corps AO. On May 2, 1967, the 188th was assigned to the 269th Combat Aviation Battalion "Black Barons" headquartered at Chu Chi. The 269th CAB was under the command of the 12th Combat Aviation Group - located in Long Binh. In June the 188th Aviation Company (AML) was re-designated as the 188th Assault Helicopter Company (AHC), and on June 26, 1967, LTC James McWhorter became the new commander and Major Joe Sites became the new Executive Officer (XO).

To help build morale, Major Sites held a competition to design an unauthorized pocket patch that would incorporate a new logo with the company name. Assistant gun platoon leader, Captain Floyd G. Wilson won the competition. The 188th became the "Black Widows" and the gun platoon became the "Spiders". The unit used "Black Widow" and "Spiders" as their call signs. The 188th AHC was the First Aviation Company to arrive in-country with Bell Helicopter's New H-model "Huey" Helicopters.

The 188th AHC flew numerous Black Ops with Special Forces Teams (B-56, and SOG/CCN), and operated over the fence, that is in Cambodia, (B-36, Code name Rapid Fire V), Laos (Code name Prairie Fire) the DMZ, and North Vietnam. They participated in over forty-five major operations including the ARVN invasion of Laos during Operation "Lam Son 719" a South Vietnamese Operation that was also over the fence in Indian Country. For the last time the 188th AHC "Black Widows" moved from LZ Sally to Phu Bai, located just south of Hue.

From the period from May 1967 through February 1972 when the 101st ABD stood down) the Black Widows lost 41 Men Killed In Action (KIA) and over 130 wounded In Action (WIA) during combat operations in all four Corps Areas of Operation in Vietnam. The 188th had a 30% casualty rate in Vietnam.

***Corporal, 189th AHC. Ghostriders, Door Gunner:

The 189th Aviation Company had been activated on November 1966 at Ft. Carson, Colorado, and in 1967, like many before them, they were deployed to the Republic of Vietnam. They were then assigned to the 189th, called the Flying Dragons part of the 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion attached to the 1st Aviation Brigade, and renamed the 189th Assault Helicopter Company at Camp Holloway in the Central Highlands in Pleiku Providence.

The unit was to provide air support for the 4th Infantry Division, or any Infantry in their area of operations, and Special Forces operations, as well as ARVN (South Vietnamese) units working the Central Highlands area of II Corps.

The 189th was one element of the larger “Aviation Battalion-The Flying Dragons" which was part of the 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion (CAB), subordinate to the 17th Combat Aviation Group (CAG). The 17th CAG was subordinate to the 1st Aviation Brigade, the largest Army Aviation organization formed since World War II. The 189th AHC stood down and was deactivated in March 1973.

Corporal Farrell’s Fire-retardent flight shirt, was not issued to all flight crewmen, especially door gunners, who had been infantrymen and taken off the line, for flight duty, prior to their DEROS, but those who could get them, did I suppose. But they were actually fairly rare till the pullout from Vietnam. The uniform would likely have had jungle fatigue or regular fatigue trousers, and he has a pocket hanger unit patch (or FOB as we call it) as his unit identifier, these could be stuck in the pocket prior to flight, and changed as gunners were assigned to different aircraft often.

***The flight helmet is all dolled up on the back of it, and the visor is marked with a felt pen, but seems odd and may have been added at some other point, perhaps kids played with it, (I may remove this and clean it up one day if I get energetic).

Warrant Officer, 189th AHC, ‘Guns’:

This Warrant Officer represents a pilot from the 189th Assault Helicopter Company’s, 3rd Platoon, which was the” Guns” element of the Company, their call sign was the "Avengers", flying out of Pleiku, RVN. They had been activated in November 1966 at Ft. Carson, Colorado. They were sent to Vietnam in 1967. The 189th was assigned to the Flying Dragons of the 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion of the 1st Aviation Brigade and became the 189th Assault Helicopter Company making their base camp at Camp Holloway in the Central Highlands in Pleiku Providence.

The unit was a support helicopter company providing air support to the 4th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Special Forces, and other U.S. and ARVN units within the Central Highland area of II Corps. The 189th was just one unit making up the largest Aviation Battalion "The Flying Dragons" of the 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion (CAB) was subordinate to the 17th Combat Aviation Group (CAG). The 17th CAG was subordinate to the 1st Aviation Brigade, the largest Army Aviation organization formed since World War II. The 189th AHC stood down and was deactivated in March 1973.

The Warrant Officer, likely the Pilot, or Assistant Pilot, wears a topical uniform all subdued, with the "Avengers" Pocket-Hangar fob hanging on it, the helmet is pretty elaborate, maybe it was a privately purchessed item? If that could happen? The whole shell is black and the Visor Cover Bauge, with custom artwork over that, it’s kind of rare for a helmet in use in-country.

Specialist 4th Class, (Spooky-Ricker) F Troop, 8th Cavalry Regiment, Blue Ghost Blues:

F troop, 8th Cavalry Regiment was formed from assets of C Troop, 7/17th Cav, 1st Cav Division on 1 April, 68 and assigned to Americal Div, Chu Lai (I Corp).

The troop flew ‘brush fire’ missions in the thick of combat with its final assignment to the III Corp operating around Saigon Bien Hoa, supporting the 12th Combat Applications Group, the forerunner of the future ‘Delta Force. The troop was deactivated in 1973. ‘Spooky’ acts as crew chief and door gunner flying on a UH-1 of the ‘Blues’ delivering airborne infantry soldiers directly into the assault on the enemy that has been spotted by the Scout and fixed by the AH-1 Cobra gunship section of the troop.

Specialist Ricker’s flight helmet. The ‘Spooky’ eyes are copied from the famous ‘Moon Eyes’ of Dean Moon’s Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association from 1963. The ghost’s right hand points a menacing finger. The ‘4’ may refer to the aircraft call number or just be used to fit the stated threat.

The bottom photos (off the internet) show the ‘Blue Ghost’ nose-art on a UH-1 troop their Slick aircraft and on the engine/mast of an AH-1 Cobra aircraft. There is a book I’ve read from one of the pilots who operated with the “Blue Ghost” and it was a really good and interesting read.

Warrant Officer / Pilot, 190th AHC. “The Trosians”:

I won’t try to take away from a couple of great websites on this unit. They had been activated on October 14, 1966, and soon thereafter they would leave for their tour of duty in the Republic of Vietnam, they left Fort Campbell, Kentucky in July and into August of 1967. Their commander, Major David Hagler. In September of 1967, they were operating up in I Corps with the 1st Marine Division and with the Army’s Special Forces.

Then in October 1967, they were given a new home at Duc Pho in II Corp DCS, to work with the 198th Light Infantry Brigade, then moved to Bien Hoa moving further down south to III Corp, in November 1967, and In December 1967, they were operating out of Phu Cong. In January 1968 Charles Vaughn took over as the CO. Through July of 1969, they flew around with POTUS Nixon, and VPOTUS Agnew in January 70, through September they were moving around diplomats, and Generals, as well as ARVN Generals, Politicians, and CIA Operatives and the like, finally ending their tour with deactivation on December 10, 1970, and they the troops, came home, many leaving the Army and becoming Civilian Citizens.

The Warrant Officer carries a bit odd Warran Officer’s collar insignia, for subdued it’s ’’brown and black, it may be Army Stock or made in-country. I have seen green and black, silver and black, and brown and black (in Korea) a little different form anyways. The rest of the uniform is pretty typical, with a removable pocket-hanger unit insignia patch. The helmet is plain other than a small insignia applied to the back of it.

*For more information on this unit and its co-parts, they operated with check out 190th AHC - Home, and https://museum.vhpa.org/companies/190ahc/190ahc.shtml, there are others too worth looking at-this one is for you who served with this unit, Thank You, I know there is a book or two out there too.

MAD DOG Captain, 249th AHC ‘GUNS’:

249th Assault Helicopter Company consisted of “The Greyhounds”, “Wild Willys War Hounds”, “Papst Blue’s”, “Mad Dogs” and the “Kennel Keepers” was activated on October 1966 at Killeen Base, Foot Hood, Texas. The 240th deployed to Vietnam, arriving in May of 1967, and were assigned to the 214th Comba Aviation Battalion (CAB), 12th Combat Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade. They made their base camp at Bear Cat in the III Corps Tactical Zone off Highway One west of Saigon.

The Captain wears the Helicopter crewman’s shirt, with subdued insignia on it. The only color on it is the unit’s patch, sewn to the pocket. His mission is clearly marked on his helmet as well, though quite-off-center on the backside.

Warrant Officer, Mad Dogs, 240, Gunship Platoon, Pilot’s MA-1 Flight Jacket:

The Company has comprised three (3) Flight Platoons, two transport (Slick) Platoons, and one Gunship Platoon. The First Flight (Slick Platoon), was known as the ‘White Flight’ “Wild-Willy’s War Hounds”. The First Flight’s pocket patch was designed by Jack Rebels to honor Major Hermann “Willy” Williams.

The Second Flight was known as the “Papst-Blue-Flight”. Both platoons used ‘Grayhounds’ as their call sign. The 340th’s third platoon was commanded by Major Dik Derr, known by their call sign of ”Mad Dogs” and they flew in UH-1C Huey Gunships. The 240th Maintenance Platoon, as mentioned before was known as the “Kennel Keepers”. The helmet is a later war item, and these flight jackets were obtained from the Air Force’s PX I suppose, and I have seen pictures of these in use too, up in the central highlands, and during the monsoon seasons.

The flight jacket is like what you often see in use by American Air Force flight crewmen wearing. But Army Flyers acquired them, probably at the PX at an air base they flew into, perhaps issued, and had to have while flying in the central highlands, or during the monsoon season. while waiting in the chopper, on stand-by, with no doors on the aircraft, in the rain, etc.

It’s unclear what uniform he had, regular M65 fatigues, jungle fatigues, or the fire-retardent shirt, the jacket would keep him warm. It has the reversible bright orange onside it- so in a prince, he could be located quickly in the woods, I suppose., It may have been a bit tight to wear under his body armor though, or not warn the armor.

He would have a web belt likely and a side-arm, some fatigue trousers of some sort, and worn-out black leather boots, they didn’t wear jungle boots often, but gunners did.

The Helmet, has a softer plastic, visor cover on it, and may have been replaced, but the back, of course, carries his unit ID on it, and his name on it.

First-Sergeant, Crewchief, Maddog’s, CVC Helmet:

After in-country orientation and training the 240th was declared operational and underwent a name change and the 240th Assault Helicopter Company. In 1967 the 240th AHC was relocated to Bien Hoa. In 1969 the company was moved to Long Binh where they were re-assigned from the 214th ‘CAB’ to the 222nd CAB. The 240th AHC supported Thais, U.S. 9th Infantry Division, and the 5th Special Forces Group.

The 240th was the primary Assault Helicopter Company providing air support for the Joint Task Forces of Marines and Navy Seals in the Rung Sat (Assassins Forrest) Special Zone in the Mekong Delta south of Saigon, where they protected shipping on the inland navigable waterways. The 240th was the first Assault Helicopter Company in Vietnam to use the new UH-1C Huey Helicopter with the 540 rotor head, and the first Huey to use camouflaged aircraft. The 240th developed low-altitude combat tactics, that later became the ‘Standard’ Air Assault tactic used in the war. The 240th stood down in December 1971. The 240th AHC was awarded the ‘Valorous Unit Award’ and the ‘Merits Unit citation’.

The CVC helmet in use with a helicopter crewman is quite rare and may have been issued due to supply problems or by the troop’s preference, there is evidence of these in use having seen several period photos of them in use, but quite rare like two or three. The helmet was originally bought as a flight helmet with the “Mad-Dogs”, on the front, but I was puzzled, nearly painting over it knowing it was not what I thought would ever happen, perhaps supply problems … so, I’ve decided to show the item as it was bought, the OD flight jacket was pretty rare in Vietnam, as well so I fit it here.

Crew Chief, 282 AHC, SGT:

The 282nd Assault Helicopter Company with three support detachments, the 484th TC Det (Cargo Helicopter, Field Maintenance), the 504th Signal Det (Radio Repair and Avionics), and the 105th Medical Det, activated at Fort Benning, Georgia on 7 October 1965.

The mission was to train personnel and prepare for overseas movement. The Company's personnel, their aircraft, and their equipment were deployed to Vietnam, arriving between May through June of 1966 at Marble Mountain Airfield in Da Nang, Vietnam. The 282nd initially flew missions in I & II Corps in support of MACV, SF, LRRP, Ranger as well as the South Vietnamese / Hac Bao units. This included elements of the USMC, USAF, USN, ARVN, and the Aussies. This mission required that personnel be garrisoned as far north as Hue Citadel, as far south as Dong Ba Thin, and as far west as Ban Me Thuot and Kontum.

Sergeant Louis, a Crew Chief on one of the aircraft, is also one of the lucky chaps, to have been issued the light-weight, fire-resistant shirts to wear. He’s fixed his helmet up to reflect his unit and has taken some time to lay out and paint it up nicely. There was tremendous pride, and these crewmen were '“tight” with each other, and it showed in their professional attitudes, and ability to do their mission.

Warrant Officer, 334th UTT:

In October of 1966, the unit was composed by using sections from other in-country helicopter units, taking sections, and various elements from the 197th Armed Helicopter Company (originally they had been designated a “UTT” detachment), they had arrived in Vietnam, on Sept. 1962.

It wasn’t too long before they become re-assigned as the 68th Avn Unit, and then they became the 197th Armed Helicopter Company, in the end, they were known as the 334th Armed Helicopter Company. The unit got its first Cobras in Sept 67, call sign Playboys. In Sept 68 they switched to the AH-1G Cobra Gunship, sending all their Charlie-model Huey gunships to be used by the 68th AHC, and some may have been given to the U.S.Navy, or the ARVN. Their colors retired to Ft Benning.

The Uniform is another typical uniform, albeit a bit rare for this style uniform, getting issued to the flyers out in the field at this point in the war. the blouse is all regulation, except for the unofficial pocket hanger patch, but these were worn throughout the conflict. The helmet-while absolutely a beautiful example, with no field decoration added to it.

Captain, ‘Playboys’, 334th AHC., Cobra Pilot:

This uniform represents a Pilot, and Captain, flying for the 334th Aerial Weapons Company’s, 1st Flight Platoon (Guns) known as the "Playboy's", during the height of the Vietnam War. Nearly all the Helicopter units had multiple name changes and assignments during the war period, and the 334th Aerial Weapons Company went through four different names. They were activated at Okinawa on 25 July 1962, then they had been titled the “Utility Tactical Transport Helicopter Company” (UTT) and they had been under the command of Major Robert Runkle for the next two years.

The “UTT” became the first “Armed Helicopter Company” for the US Army. They underwent their first name change In August 1964, becoming the 68th Aviation Company. The next noted event was on 1 March 1965, when the 68th Aviation Company was deactivated, and then they were reactivated as the 197th Armed Helicopter Company.

The 197th Armed Helicopter Company was developed for flying in the guns-support role in the “Air-envelopment concept”, and was still in the training mode, and was slated to be the first Armed Helicopter Company to be deployed to the Republic of South Viet Nam, in the initial stages of the US involvement where they would be the first Helicopter unit in Viet Nam to be given the Presidential Unit Citation.

In September of 1966the unit came home, where they became part of the 197th Light Infantry Brigade at Fort Benning, Georiga. That said, all the air crews including the Officers, Pilots, Gunners, Crew Chiefs, maintenance personnel, and their Equipment had remained at Bien Hoa Air Base (RVN) awaiting the 197th Light Infantry Brigade's deployment to Vietnam. Then but that was not to be, so they changed their identity and became the 334th Aerial Weapons Company.

The 334th was comprised of UH-1-H and H "Saber's" (in not sure what this particular model was maybe armed-H’s), four platoons of Huey and Cobra Gunships, 1st Flight Platoon Guns called the "Playboy's", 2nd Flight Platoon, the "Raider's", 3rd Flight Platoon "Dragon's" and the 4th Flight Platoon was the "Gangbuster's".

The 334th was assigned to the 145th Combat Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Group under the Command of Major Floyd C. Gober. The Unit also received the - "Presidential Unit Citation", as well as the "Valorous Unit Award", "Meritorious Unit Commendation" and The "Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm" for service in Viet Nam.

The uniform, or, fatigue shirt is all there is here, was the norm, and commonly seen right till the end of the war, the helmet has been fixed up a little, with what I call “Bad-Bunny” and other little additions to it. One note on it remarks ”I just wanted to fly ”….. the lesson obviously, one must be careful what one asks for.

Just a note, with the last picture, just to say, the “Playboys” ARA group was not the only people to have adopted the “Bunny” symbol, but they were the only one officially, so I think, that said, I’m sure, others used it too for one reason or another, at some point in time, as it was, and still is a popular symbol to young soldiers. As the sign on the building says, “Satan’s Bunnys” indicates, the mindset is a large part of surviving a war.

Warrant Officer, Detachment A-501 2/2, The “RATTLERS”:

On 6 August 1964, the Third Aviation Company (AML) was activated and assigned to the Third US. Army, in a plan to deploy to Vietnam in the future. The Company was attached, for logistical and administrative support, to the Eleventh Air Assault Division at Fort Benning, Georgia, where they had been developing the “Air-Assault” tactics with helicopters, for some time. Their leaders came from the Artillery, Major Lewis J. Henderson, and Captain Curtis S. Crouch, Jr., the CO and XO respectively. The Company had received an equipment readiness date of 21 October, a personnel readiness date of 27 November, and the APO of Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam. There were pre-overseas leaves were given early in November.

The Company departed Fort Benning on 27 November and arrived at Bien Hoa on 2 December 1964. About 75% of the Company had been infused with personnel from other companies of the 145th Aviation Battalion, to equitably spread CONUS rotation dates. The Company was billeted in Bailey Compound at Bien Hoa with the 118th Assault Helicopter Company (The Thunderbirds). On 14 December, the Third Aviation Company (AML) was redesignated as Company A/501st Aviation Battalion. On 26 December, Lt. Col. Robert K. Cunningham, CO, 145th Aviation Battalion declared the Company operational. Prior to CONUS departure, the Company and platoons selected call signs for use in Vietnam.

Thanks to Captain Cliff Ohlenburger and his Alma Mater, St. Marys University San Antonio, Texas (The Rattlers) the Rattler call sign for the Company was chosen. Major Henderson's wife, Ramona, gets credit for the Firebird call sign (from Stravinsky's ballet). Captain Ohlenburger designed the Rattler emblem/patch for the Company and the Firebird for the gunship platoon. Captain Marvin Schwem originated the Esquire patch for the 1st lift platoon, Captain Jesse James the Phantom patch for the 2nd, Captain Ray Young the Snake Doctor patch, and Major Thomas E. Connell/Captain Billy W. Taylor the patch for the 151st Transportation Detachment.

The uniform depicts a Warrant-Officer / pilot of the A-501, a pretty famous, and remembered outfit from the Vietnam War. Like most of the helicopter crewmen in my collection, he wears the fire-retardent, light-weight shirt, but with full-color insignia on it, the helmet, is completely dolled up, “Rex” Cedeno, maybe a fictional name, and his call sign 2-2 not really anyone I don’t think, I think it represents some of these men well, like most of my uniforms, the names have been changed on the uniforms, as when they got into civilian hands the name tapes are and insignia generally removed, but we try to get them right and tell their story correctly too.

Note: this is off the net, it’s been used about a hundred times for explaining the unit’s operational history, and I can’t really change this story much, and not sure who to give credit to.

*Det. A-501 Rattlers Door Gunner:

*As I remember it When I had my first house of my own (Some time ago now) my next-door neighbor “Gary Sundt” I recall, his brother had served with the “Rattlers”, Gary had been an MP, and served over there at the same time! So for a Birthday or something, I made a 1/32nd scale Huey, complete with scratch-built, custom, crew-putting like $200.00 and months working on it, after giving it to him, within 2 days it was completely broken by his kids……I could have completely lost it, but so it goes either you get models or you don’t.

I learned no one appreciates the model as you will, fun to make none less, The thing is, from then on-just from the stories and what-not, from the 2 brothers, I was fascinated by them, and the Vietnam War, when I was like 8-9 and 10 and watched it on TV at dinner time every night, I had my uncles and Nieboers were over there. So, I did wonder what had gone on over there in Southeast Asia, and it’s not for me to explain the answer to that either. I guess I’m trying to explain the collection again, that’s a good part of it though. I remember Gary’s brother had a fighting knife strapped to the front of his chicken plate armor, and said he carried an AR-15 with him when he flew as a door gunner.

So this one is for you two guys, glad ya all came home, I for one am proud to have met you two brothers. Thank both of you for your service in the Military and as a Policeman as well.

‘Boxcars’ Crewman, 178th Assault Supply Helicopter Company, Americal Division:

Early in 1968, the first of the "B" model Chinooks came to Vietnam, assigned to the 178th Assault Supply Helicopter Company. The complete replacement was done by March, and the "Boxcars" became the first completely operational "B" model Chinook company in Vietnam. With the introduction of the "B" model Chinook in Vietnam came "Project Tree". This operation was designed to equip all existing "B" model Chinooks with the more powerful L-7C engine. It greatly increased its capacity as a medium-lift helicopter company.

The 178th was the first Chinook company to lift a complete 155 howitzer, which weigh in excess of 12,500 pounds. In 1968 the 178th participated in Operation Kham Duc, one of the major operations undertaken by the 178th.

On the 12th of May, 1968, another operation, involving the 178th, the unit evacuated approximately 700 of the 1700 American and Allied troops trapped at Camp Kham Duc. Two of their ships had been lost during the operation, but no lives were lost. The heroism displayed by the flight crews in this action resulted in 7 individuals being recommended for the Silver Star. By February of 1968, the 178th logged its 20,000 flying hours, 11 months later it was the second Chinook company in Vietnam to log its 30,000th flying hour. Since the day the 178th joined the Americal Division, its commitments have steadily increased.

The Boxcars alone have supported the 1st Infantry Division, 25th Infantry Division, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, 198th Infantry, U.S. Special Forces, the Australian Task Force, the Army of Vietnam, the US Aid Mission, and the Americal Division Artillery. On 1 October 1969, the 178th ASHC was placed under the command of the 14th Aviation Battalion (Combat) where it remains.

This crewman obtained a set of mechanics coveralls, ideal perhaps for flight crewmen, and not often issued to them then, but early on you see the gray Air Force style being worn from time to time, but he probably just picked it up from a dirty cloths pile or on base. The sergeant may be the crew chief, and that basically is a mechanic. The Company patch sewed directly to his pocket, he had black leather boots, and flak-vest, with a web belt, and 45 on his side.

clearly marking a hook on his visor cover, you get the heavy lift drift, and “We move it all” defines it. on the back is a nice edition of the company’s emblem.

213th ASH. Co. CH47 Heavy Lift:

*Crew Chief 391st Transportation, Detachment Maintenance Support, 68th Assault Helicopter  Company  “Top Tigers”:

Historical Text by SP-5 David Green, 68th AHC, Retired USN  

I was a crew chief in the 68th AHC from July 1967 until July 1968 The 145th moto was "1st in Vietnam". In Jan 1968 I was asked to be the co-crew chief of the 68th Assault Helicopter Company's maintenance helicopter. The job of the maintenance helo was to fly above and behind the main units helo flight and help repair or do maintenance on any downed or troubled helo when on combat assault missions. The helo usually flew with two crew chiefs instead of one crew chief and one gunner. The crew chiefs were handpicked as some of the best helo mechanics in the unit and usually had at least 4. 

The 68th AHC was stationed at Bien Hoa from 1966 until it departed Vietnam in 1972. I was a maintenance leader and crew chief in the 68th AHC Top Tigers from July 1967 to July 1968. All of the slicks in the 68th at that time had the same tiger on the nose of the a/c and pilot doors could have a ship name. My pilot WO Paul J. Hill asked if he could name the ship after his wife. Mr. Hill was KIA on May 12, 1968. This is a photo of my ship showing the nose and the name on the doors dated approximately May 1968.

Some of the 391st Maintenance Detachment nose art had naked sexy women on them, kneeling with a tiger. The unusual nose art as the story goes was the only nude nose art approved by Hawk 6. Hawk 6 at the time was Major General Robert Williams. The 68th in 1967 had an aircrewman who was also an artist and he later went to the 1st Aviation Brigade HQ where he worked with Williams. He was asked by the command to start an art project about what he had seen in Vietnam. He was sent to Hawaii for 6 months to work on his drawings and upon return ask to make a special nose art piece for "Top Tiger Tail". The submission was a beautiful lady, but at the time nudes were not authorized. The artist got special permission in written form from MG Williams to paint the only authorized nude nose art on a helo in Vietnam. Dave Green 68th AHC Crew Chief.

Note: the uniform (like most in the collection are modified representations) and in some cases reproductions, but we try to make them correct as we can and to maybe tell some of their stories, and historical information on these units and the men who served in them. We try to make them look right, but the individual’s name (unless specified) is not of the actual person’s uniform. I try to match stuff up the best I can, respecting those who served in the uniform and remembered for a lesson in history.