My father was Capt. Roger P. Harrell HMM-263 1966

[GEORGE CURTIS]

My father was Capt. Roger P. Harrell. That picture may be him but it is a picture that I have never seen before. I am very interested in speaking with pilots and or crew members that flew or knew my father in Vietnam. I can be reached at the email below or at home at toro-aries@cox.net If possible please forward this to Jeff Dorroh so that I may thank him for the kind words about my father.



Best regards,



Roger Harrell

Production

11561 Westminster Ave.

Garden Grove, Ca. 92843

714-539-8220 ext. 216

714-539-5458 Fax

rogerh@giantsk8dist.com







Here is the photo and caption

HMM-263 1966
This pilot was fun to fly with. Does anyone know who he is? Updated from email on 14 Jan 03 This fellow looks an awful lot like Capt. Roger Harrell during his first tour in country. I don't recall what squadron he was with during that tour, but I do recall that he flew the 34's and was highly decorated (DFC and (I think) a Silver Star). I got acquainted with him during his second tour (my first), when we were both assigned to HML-167 in April, 1969. We were hootch mates and buddies. Tragically, Roger was killed a few months into his tour when his UHIE gunship lost its engine while over DaNang Bay. Roger and two of his crewmen were drowned when the rotor wash from an Army Flying Crane forced them underwater during an unsuccessful rescue attempt. Roger's copilot, 1stLt Tom Broderick survived. I enjoy your website and one of these days I'll get around to renewing my membership in your very worthy organization. Jeff Dorroh HML-167, 1969-70

[beddoe]

received this via e-mail:
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I had worked with Roger’s son, Roger here in CA. I’ve known the younger Roger for a number of years now. Speaking as a Navy vet who was a mech and occasionally flew aircrew in the H-3s (HC-1 Det 4 off the Ranger and the Oriskany, ’74 and ’75), I believe Capt Harrell would be proud of his son. I’m proud to be his friend.

Steve Cannaday

CannadaySD@navair.navy.mil

[waynor rogers]

<<This fellow looks an awful lot like Capt. Roger Harrell during his first tour in country. I don't recall what squadron he was with during that tour, but I do recall that he flew the 34's and was highly decorated (DFC and (I think) a Silver Star). >>

Roger flew with HMM-361 from the summer of '66 until the end of his first tour in Vietnam. We bunked in the same hooch at Ky Ha until I left in October of '66. I remember him fondly as great pilot and a good friend. That picture must be of his early months in country; I remember him as being a about 20# lighter, as we all were by second or third month in country.

You can be quite proud of your father.