Flight,

This is some of the History for 68 that I got from the archives. If it rings a bell let me know. I will post more if you want but realize that it will take some time since I have to retype it.

Supplement To The History Of The 119th Aviation Company

1 January 1968 - 31 December 1969

Prepared By:
CW2 Peter N Taylor
WO1 Merv Olive

Approved By:

Jimmy A Conrad
MAJ

14 January, While inserting a Long Range Recon Patrol (LRRP) for the 1st Brigade, Gator 573 had an engine failure on short final to the Landing Zone (LZ). WO1 Leonard LaForest landed the aircraft with minimum of damage resulting in no injury to crew or passengers on board.

20 January, WO1 Robert Apgar was enroute to Fire Base Black Hawk when the Charley Model gunship experienced a hydraulic failure. Making a shallow approach to the road, the controls suddenly froze and the aircraft hit the ground and rolled on its right side. Although major damage was sustained to the aircraft, there were no injuries.

February marked the beginning of the Plei Trap Valley operations. The 1st and 2nd Brigades of the 4th Division were moving in because of Communist build-ups along the border.>>>>>>>> Croc gunships began to remain overnight (RON) at Dak To to provide continuous air support for the troops on the ground.

14 February, WO1 James Hudkins was inserting a long range recon patrol (LRRP) tean southeast of Kontoum when the engine failed. Autorotation no injuries.

21 February, WO1 Richard Harbors in Croc 242 experienced a low power situation after take off and floundered into a rice paddy. Their was only minor damage to the aircraft and no injuries.

1 March, was the initial insertion of Fire Base Swinger and the NVA were ready. When WO1 James Hudkins was on short final to the Landing Zone, a mortar round hit 10 feet in front of the ship. The aircraft received major damage while the crew and packs on board received shrapnel wounds. One infantry soldier lost his leg.

1 March, Crewchief, SP/5 John Schiffhaver, was mortally wounded while trying to suppress fire during a combat assault.

5 March, WO1 James Hudkins in Gator 498 received intensive ground fire and took hits in the fuel cell, main rotor blade, and transmission housing.

21 March, A May Day call broke the mornings still air. CW@ Doss Pruitt saw two pilots eject out of a Mohawk which exploded seconds later. After picking up the observer, his crew tried to locate the pilots. Suddenly the ship received intensive ground fire. 37mm shels also hit the ship. Enroute to Poli Klang, with both transmission and hydraulic systems shot out, the transmission began to sieze. The aircraft was not down in a tight clearing and the crew was picked up by another Gator slick, piloted by CW2 Edward Thorton who hovered precariously with the skids on the disabled rotor blades allowing the crew to scramble aboard.

Tom Gator 851.