"History of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161":
"Warrant Officer Lewis E. Chase, the electronics and communications officer attached to the rear echelon of HMR-161, drowned while hunting on 6 November 1953. Chase was trapped on a mud flat in the middle of the Han River by the rising tide. It seemed that the rescue was imminent when a helicopter, an HO5S of VMO-6, came to his aid. As the helicopter hovered above, Chase grabbed hold of its undercarriage. But before the helicopter could carry him to safety, he lost his grip and fell into the shallow water from a height of approximately 15 feet. His body was observed immediately afterwards, face down in the water. The rapidly rising tidecovered the body completely before another rescue attempt could be accomplished and it was never recovered."
Submitted by History and Museums Division, USMC, Historian, USMC Combat Helicopter Association

Korean War Veterans Honor Roll:
Warrant Officer Chase was a veteran of World War II, fighting in the Pacific. In Korea, he was a member of the 161st Marine Helicopter Transportation Squadron, 1st Marine Air Wing. On November 6, 1953, he was working on the mud flats of western Korea when the incoming tide threatened him. Rescue attempts by helicopter failed and he drowned. Warrant Officer Chase was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal with 3 Battle Stars.

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