Brothers (& Sisters) Killed in Action in USMC Helicopters or while assigned to USMC Helicopter or Tiltrotor Squadrons
19680721HML-167 USMC RESERVE INCIDENT/ACCIDENTS
Download PDFIncident Date 19680721 HML-167 UH-1E 154962+ - Hostile Fire, Crash
Norsworthy, Jimmy Layne LCpl Crew Chief VMO-2 MAG-16 1968-07-21 (vvm 51W:027)
Lurie, Robert Michael 1stLT Pilot HML-167 MAG-16 1968-07-21 (vvm 51W:024)
Gloer, David Lawrence 1stLT Co-Pilot HML-167 MAG-16 1968-07-21 (vvm 51W:026)
Foster, William Henry Sgt Gunner HML-167 MAG-16 1968-07-21 (vvm 51W:025)
HML-167 Command Chronology, 7Aug68
21 July 1968 - While flying a VMO-2 aircraft near Hill 65, an HML-167 crew (Pilot, Co-pilot and Gunner) was hit by hostile fire. The aircraft was unable to maintain flight and crashed killing the entire crew (fourth member of the crew [NORSWORTHY] was a member of VMO-2).
3.Casualties:
a. First Lieutenant David L. Gloer 094725 KIA Da Nang TACAN Ch#77 220 degrees at 11 miles
b. First Lieutenant Robert M Lurie 094874 KIA Da Nang TACAN Ch#77 220 degrees at 11 miles
c. Sergeant William H. Foster 2116192 KIA Da Nang TACAN Ch#77 220 degrees at 11 miles
CO /Major G.H. Dunn/
Submitted by Jerry Gibson, HML-167 Squadron mate 1968-69
MAG-16 Command Chronology - July 1968
HOSTILE 21 July 1968. 11 miles SW of Danang, Quang Nam, RVN. Aircraft on a recon extract mission when it was observed to burn in the air and crash. Aircraft later found to have been shot down. All four crewmembers were killed.
Submitted by: N/A, 20030831Comment on Incident
Some official records show Bob Lurie assigned to VMO-2 at the time of the incident. A. H Barbour, Historian, USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association
Submitted by: N/A, 20030821Personal Narrative
Bob was my hoochmate and a great guy. After all this time I think of him often. His dad was one of the last enlisted pilots flying 117's out of Danang. One of the worst days of my life was when I joined Maj Dunn, and Doc Bohman to tell him the bad news.
Submitted by: Duke Lind, Squadron Pilot, 20050525Personal Recollection
Was flying as gunner in companion Huey on incident date. Cpl Norsworthy was a great Crew Chief-was scheduled to fly with him this date, but he asked if I would switch gunners with Sgt Foster, as he was an old friend. Guess Fate stepped in.
Was first on ground with Crew Chief, believe it was Cornett, our huey was flown by Cpt John Henry Key. Never really found out what happened, we did locate tail rotor a distance away from wreckage. Still remember Jimmy, Lt Lurie and crew every July 21.
Personal Narrative
Lt. Lurie dropped me off at DaNang to fly night missions on C-117 flare ships on the DMZ and around I Corps. The pilot of the C-117 was MSgt. "Top" Lurie, his dad. The Lt. was a straight arrow. His Dad was one of the last enlisted pilots in the Marine Corps - a model for all of us. I had heard Lt. Lurie's hydraulics had been shot out and he couldn't pull out of it.
Submitted by: Chuck Coster, knew Lt. Lurie and his Dad, 20031212Personal Narrative
Jimmy and I talked often of home and his girlfriend. Jimmy was a great individual and I think of him often. I wanted to get in touch with his family but until now there has been no means to do so. Maybe now I can talk with someone. Proverbs 27:17. We were the first to the crash site.
Submitted by: C.B.Cornett, Hoochmate and friend, 20060218Personal Narrative
Lt. Lurie was the officer in charge of the Safety Equipment shop up until the incident. I had flown several missions with him and he was well liked among the all the crew chiefs and gunners.
Sgt. Foster was the NCO in charge of the seat shop for the OV10's. He was for the most part a quiet man who was liked by the men under him. The seat shop shared space with Safety Equipment. I remember that day well. It was very close to the end of my tour.
