Helicopter or incident 66-17075

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-17075
Date: 05/05/1968
Incident number: 68050522.KIA
Unit: 176 AHC
This was a Combat Loss caused by being shot down by Ground Fire with the mission function of Combat Troop Carrier (missions assigned to an aircraft to deliver troops, supplies or equipment in a combat area in support of tactical field operations)
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: BT069246
Casualties = YES . .
Search and rescue operations were Not Required
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center AVDAC database. Also: OPERA (Operations Report. )
Loss to Inventory and Helicopter was not recovered
This record was last updated on 08/08/1999

The following is crew member information for this incident:

Name: PFC Gary Michael Meier
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 05/05/1968 while performing the duty of Crew Chief.
Age at death: 18.9
Date of Birth: 05/24/1949
Home City: Lake Crystal, MN
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 176 AHC, 14 CAB
Major organization: Americal Division
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 55E-022
Short Summary: 50 cal hit fuel cell at 2500+ ft blowing rotor off. 2 UH-1C guns shot down going to crash. With 1LT Samuel R. Gardner.
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-17075
Service number: 16978695
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67N2F = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: crew chief
Started Tour: 01/07/1968
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Location: Quang Tin Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Lutheran (Missouri Synod)
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 08/08/1999

Name: SP4 Gordon Lee Terrell
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 05/05/1968 while performing the duty of Gunner.
Age at death: 20.2
Date of Birth: 02/25/1948
Home City: Gervais, OR
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 176 AHC, 14 CAB
Major organization: Americal Division
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 55E-034
Short Summary: 50 cal hit fuel cell at 2500+ ft blowing rotor off. 2 UH-1C guns shot down going to crash. With 1LT Samuel R. Gardner.
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-17075
Service number: 18956974
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B2F = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: door gunner
Started Tour: 10/03/1967
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Quang Tin Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Lutheran (Missouri Synod)
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 08/08/1999

Name: CW2 David Lee Blattel
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 05/05/1968 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander.
Age at death: 22.5
Date of Birth: 10/27/1945
Home City: Scott City, MO
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 176 AHC, 14 CAB
Major organization: 198th Light Infantry Brigade
Flight class: 67-5
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 55E-002
Short Summary: 50 cal hit fuel cell at 2500+ ft blowing rotor off. 2 UH-1C guns shot down going to crash. With 1LT Samuel R. Gardner.
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-17075
Service number: W3155811
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 062B = Helicopter Pilot, Utility and Light Cargo Single Rotor
Primary cause: 50 Cal
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Started Tour: 06/18/1967
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Quang Tin Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 08/08/1999

Name: 1LT Samuel Ray Gardner
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 05/05/1968 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 25.0
Date of Birth: 05/07/1943
Home City: Wichita, KS
Service: AT branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 176 AHC, 14 CAB
Major organization: Americal Division
Flight class: 67-18
Service: AT branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 55E-012
Short Summary: Admin lift 50 cal hit fuel cell at 2500+ ft. blew rotor system off at LZ center. 2 UH-1c guns shot down going to crash. w/david blattel.
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 66-17075
Service number: O5538136
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 1981 = 19 Rotary Wing Aviator (Unit Commander)
Primary cause: .50 Caliber
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: co-pilot
Started Tour: 11/29/1967
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Quang Tin Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Methodist (Evangelical United Brethren)
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: officer
This record was last updated on 08/08/1999

Please send additions or corrections to:

Gary Roush
43 Overbrook Road
Painted Post, NY 14870