Marine helicopter crash KOREA 1950

[GEORGE CURTIS]

Marine helicopter crash in the Funchilin Pass. Photo courtesy Joseph Rodgers.

Nov 1950

[4frank]

The picture shown was an HO3S-1 flown by VMO-6. The pilots and maintenance personnel were joined to VMO-6 in mid July 1950 and were originally from HMX-1 at Quantico. I believe that the pilot of that helicopter was a Lt. Longstaff.

[west2ms]

02/17/08

Joe:

Regard'n your comment & photo of the HO3S-1 { VMO-6} that crashed up on the Fuchilin Pass N. Korea, late Oct / early Nov /1950 was flown by Capt'n Eugene Pope, the Crew Chief was Cpl. Ed Lester: This A/C was one that was fitted with all metal main & tail rotor blades some few months after we arrived in Korea: Ma fren, and fellow squadron mate, Frank Bonin was mistaken on this one: Lt. Bancroft was shot down 29/Sept/50, and reportedly later died of his wounds : Jim 'Wes' Westendorf HMX-1, 48 / 50, VMO-6, 50 /51.

[pm3777]

I knew a Capt Langstaff. Wonder if this is a misprint. I saw the same name before spelled as Longstaff. SF PM

[west2ms]

PM:

I didn't know a Capt'n Langstaff: But I did Know a Robert Longstaff, 1st Lt. USMC: VMO-6, He was shot down and killed at the Chosin Reservoir, {actually at the Toktong Pass, } on Dec 3rd, 1950:, I ..We of VMO-6 were operating out of the airstrip at Hagaru-ri: Lt.Longstaff was attempting to land for a med-evac where C-2-7 was holding the Pass when the shoot-down occured: Jim 'Wes' Westendorf / VMO-6 '50 / 51'

[pm3777]

Thought I remembered something. Went back & looked at some old unit Photos and sure enough there was a photo of a Capt H. Langstaff. This was back in 1948/50 when I was in AES-41 at Cherry Pt. 1stLt D. Stizel was also in that photo & Capt John Hood that was later CO of VMO-6 1953. As I recall Lt Stizel was killed in Korea during the early years. Remember any of them?? This is a large group photo dont know if I can get it on here or not SF PM