DECK LOG OF THE USS VALLEY FORGE [LPH-8]:
2 June 1968

1600. UNDERWAY AS BEFORE.

1631. CH-46A, BUREAU NUMBER UNKNOWN OF HMM-265, PILOT MAJOR RICHARD L. YANKEE, USMCR, 065394, ATTEMPTED TO LIFT OFF. HELO STARTED CLIMBING WHILE 4 CHAIN TIEDOWNS WERE STILL ATTACHED TO THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER ON ITS RIGHT SIDE AND COMMENCED BURNING AT LAT 10-50N LONG 107E. FLIGHT DECK AND CRASH CREWS WENT TO FIRE STATIONS.

1632-1638 (CONT) MAN OVERBOARD PORT SIDE FROM PERSONNEL ESCAPING FROM AIRCRAFT. MANEUVERING TO CLEAR MAN AND KEEP WIND FROM BLOWING SMOKE OVER ISLAND STRUCTURE. FLIGHT DECK FIRE AND CRASH CREWS COMBATING FIRE.

1638. MAN OVERBOARD STARBOARD SIDE.

1639. PORT LIFEBOAT IN THE WATER PROCEEDING TO SECOND MAN. CH-46A HELICOPTER FROM HMM-164 MANEUVERING TO RECOVER FIRST MAN OVERBOARD. AIRCRAFT CRASH CRANE PUSHED FLAMING AIRCRAFT OVER STARBOARD SIDE INTO WATER.

1640. FIRE REPORTED UNDER CONTROL. PORT LIFEBOAT RECOVERED SECOND MAN OVERBOARD.

1646. CH-46A RECOVERD FIRST MAN OVERBOARD. FIRE IS OUT. COMMENCED ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGE.

1655. RECOVERED PORT LIFEBOAT AND SECURED IT FOR SEA. SECOND MAN OVERBOARD IDENTIFIED AS McREIS, W.C. USN WAS TAKEN TO SICKBAY FOR EXAMINATION. FIRST MAN OVERBOARD IDENTIFIED AS REED, CPL USMC, SERIAL NUMBER UNKNOWN, WAS TAKEN TO SICKBAY. CONDITION APPEARED SERIOUS.

1731. SECURED FROM FIRE STATIONS. DEATHS FROM ACCIDENT WERE AS FOLLOWS: WANG, ANDREW J. ABH3, 9199503 USN ATTACHED TO THIS SHIP, STRUCK BY ROTOR BLADES, AND HUISENER, J.E. SGTMAJ, USMC OF HMM-265, GUNNER OF AIRCRAFT. DAMAGE TO THIS SHIP APPEARED TO BE MINOR AND CONFINED TO FORWARD STARBOARD SECTION OF FLIGHT DECK, ROUNDOWN, AND #2 AVGAS FUEL STATION. RESUMED MANEUVERING.

Submitted by Alan H Barbour, Historian, USMC Combat Helicopter Assoc

Command Chronology - HMM-265 June 1968:
Significant Events:

Casualties:

SgtMajor Jack E. Muisener died of burns received in an aircraft crash on board the USS VALLEY FORGE (LPH-8) on 2 June 1968.

Major Richard L. Yanke received minor wounds to his leg in an aircraft accident on board the USS VALLEY FORGE (LPH-8) on 2 June 1968.

Submitted by Alan H Barbour, Historian, USMC Combat Helicopter Assoc

Personal Recollection:
I was on duty with Andy Wang the day of the crash. If I had not been sent to chow by a very adamant 2nd class petty officer, I would have been in Andy's place. It was a day with very limited flight ops and there was only a small crew on deck because we were only going to receive the one helo that morning.

As I was returning from chow I heard the crash alarm going off and saw a guy running across the deck on fire. For an instant I thought one of the fuel guys had caught on fire until I looked a little farther to my right and saw the a/c on fire. We all started charging the crash with hoses, but had to clear the deck because of all the small arms ammo exploding. I was hit in the butt as I turned to jump into the catwalk.

After the ammo stopped exploding we resumed fighting the fire. As we moved up the catwalk we found Andy; nothing could be done for him so we continued on to put the fire out. There was another member of the crash crew with the remote controls for the crash crane up on the bow using the crane to push the plane over the side.

After we had the fire out, which burned a hole through the flight deck, we were cleaning up and found the body of the gunner in the forward life net. I did see the guy that was on fire and jumped over the side - recovered by another 46. I was under the impression that he didn't survive but you listed only 2 killed so he must have made it. I know the guy that took him off the winch cable had his burned skin down the front of his clothes. I have some pics of the deck after the fire. Haven't looked at them in years but still remember it like it was yesterday.
Submitted by Doug Zuhse, crewman on duty and fought the fire

Personal Recollection:
I was the Gunners Mate on the forklift that had just loaded the ammo and saw the whole incident and was also hit by the debris in the chest. Saw the helicopter on its side on fire and all the rest that happened. I just happened to look up my ship and started looking into things about the time was in the Navy and showing my carrier to family while was in Da Nang. Please contact me as I was a witness to the whole thing.

It is unbelievable to accidentally come across this after 41 years. I remember the whole thing and just loaded the chopper with ammo and watched everyone run while the H-46 chopper was on fire.
Submitted by Jerry Hall, Gunners Mate on the forklift loading ammo

HMM-265 SITREP 2 June 1968:
HMM-265 completed all fragged missions except Mission #26 due to loss of Aircraft at sea.
Submitted by Alan H Barbour, Historian, USMC Combat Helicopter Assoc

Personal Request:
I was the Crew Chief aboard the CH-46 Helicopter that was destroyed in this accident. I'm looking for as much additional information and/or pictures of this incident as possible. I would greatly appreciate any help or assistance provided. Thanks.

Submitted by George Mitchell, Crew Chief aboard this CH-46 Helicopter.