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General Information

The incident date and parent unit of the pilot associated with this Incident have not been verified. They fix a very general time slot for the occurrence. HMM-263 was the ACE [Air Combat Element] for the 24th MAU in the Persian Gulf.

Submitted by: Alan H Barbour, Historian, USMC Combat Helicopter Association, 20081018

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Initial Information

In I believe it was Aug or Sep 1987, Major Haworth, a UH-1N pilot, assigned to HMM-263 from HMLA-269, was on a night Gun shoot in the Persian Gulf. They had just finished the fun shoot and were inbound to the LSD, Maj Haworth told the CC to jettison the ammo cans into the Gulf. The cans were dumped out the rear door. The aircraft experienced tail rotor problems shortly after the cans were jettisoned. Maj Haworth was inbound to the LSD, had to ditch the aircraft in the Gulf. Maj Haworth held the aircraft steady while the Co-pilot, Crew Chief and Gunner exited the aircraft. Maj Haworth's body was never recovered, even though the Navy recovered the UH-1N. This was the first time that the U.S. Marine Corps had a contingent in the Persian Gulf. It was the same time as Operation EARNEST WILL [1987-88] was in progress.

Submitted by: 1st Sgt Harry Nelson, Operations Chief (GySgt) for HMM-263, 20081015

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Family Information

I submit that my father's first name was Daniel, middle name Scott.

Submitted by: Stacey Haworth, Daughter, 1stLt, 20091023

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First Hand Account

The other crew members that survived due to the heroism of Maj Haworth facilitating their escape were:

Gauthier, Michael Cpl Crew Chief HMM-263 ACE/24thMAU/FLF6F

Melzer, unknown 1stLt Co-Pilot HMM-263 ACE/24thMAU/FLF6F

Gunner - name unknown

Submitted by: Alan H Barbour, Historian, USMC Combat Helicopter Association, 20100104

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Historical Information

HMM-263 deployed in May 1987 as the ACE for the 24TH MAU (Special Operations Capable) during LF6F 3-87. Contingency operations in the Persian Gulf necessitated splitting the squadron into three sections, operating from CONUS, the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf. While deployed, squadron aircraft participated in the seizure of the Iranian mine laying ship "Iran Ayr".

Submitted by: Alan H Barbour, Historian, USMC Combat Helicopter Association, 20081017

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LCPL Greg Bentley was the gunner on that plane. 1stLt Mike Melzer was the copilot.

Submitted by: Michael Gauthier, I was the crew chief., 20190730

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I knew Dan Haworth at Forwood Elementary (believe he was in our Ms. Germans 6th grade class) and Forwood Jr. HS, and then Concord HS (the 1st graduating class of 1970) on Ebright Road in Wilm., De., We lost track of one another. I signed up for delayed enlistment in the USAF and he signed up with the USMC. Fast forward 49 years, I had a free Taiwanese Amerasian research investigation enterprise , but as a lark , I wanted to try and find 85 missing CHS Class of 1970 alumni. In doing so, came across this Pop-A-Smoke site and read Dans tragic but heroic death in 1987 in the Persian Gulf War. I did locate Dans wife and telephoned her, as she is still in grief from Dans passing.

Submitted by: Rick Slater, 20200110

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