KIA INCIDENT: 19670914 Vietnam

Brothers (& Sisters) Killed in Action in USMC Helicopters or while assigned to USMC Helicopter or Tiltrotor Squadrons

19670914Vietnam

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Incident Date 19670914 unknown - Accidental fall from hoist pickup

[PASSENGERS]
Wilson, Gary Robert HM3 Corpsman-Pass A/3rdRECBn, 3rdMarDiv 1967-09-14 (vvm 26E:073)

WILSON, GARY ROBERT : B501888 : USN : HM3 : E4 : HM3 : 23 : CHICAGO HEIGHTS : IL : 19670914 : Hostile, died while missing, Gun, small arms fire (Ground casualty) : body recovered : Thua Thien (Hue) : 01 : 19431225 : Cauc : Protestant/Single : 26E : 073 : body recovered 1/13/70

Personal Narrative

Comment on Incident (from 3rd Recon website):
On 14 September 1967 Doc Wilson was a member of an Alpha Company patrol that was operating west of Phu Bai. He was declared missing in action after the team came into contact with enemy forces. Wilson's remains were recovered and returned during 1970.

The following information was found in the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Command Chronology for the month of September 1967. This was recorded in the summary page:

"A patrol operating in the vicinity of (YC8997) conducted 48 1/2 hours of reconnaissance and surveillance which resulted in 1 contact with 2-6 VC. Contact resulted in 1 USMC KIA, 3 USMC WIA and 1 USN WIA. As the USN WIA was being hoisted into the med-evac helicopter a red smoke grenade inadvertently went off inside the helo. In the ensuing confusion the helo lurched forward and the WIA fell and was lost in the jungle (1 USN MIA)."

An inquiry was made with Department of Defense and the following information was learned. On 13 January 1970 a patrol from the 54th ARVN Regiment came upon some remains at YC891977 (about 30 kilometers southeast of FSB Rifle) and sent them through the 85th Evacuation to the mortuary. These remains were later identified as Gary R. Wilson through a dental comparison.

This is the same patrol where Pfc. Donald B. Dray was Killed In Action. At this time the names of the other team members are unknown. No information is known on the helicopter crew.

Submitted by: George Neville, 3rdReconBn, 20030815