first aircraft into the zone was destroyed by a command detonated mine

[GEORGE CURTIS]

unit history information
for HMM-161
MAG-39

For date 690422


HMM-161 was a US Marine Corps unit
MAG-39 was a US Marine Corps unit
Primary service involved, US Marine Corps
Incident reference: 69042222.KIA This information is available on CD-ROM.
Quang Tri Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Quang Tri
Description: The Command Chronology states that HMM-161 flew 56 sorties completing 20 tasks carrying 168 passengers. Five medevac missions were flown to extract 34 medevacs. While working a troop lift for the 2nd ARVN Div into an assault zone, the first aircraft into the zone was destroyed by a command detonated mine with three ALPHA injuries. The second aircraft after returning his troops to the pick-up point returned to the assault zone and after having to abort two approaches due to heavy hostile fire was able to get into the zone and hoist 14 of the medevacs from the zone. The assault was tried again in the afternoon by Army helicopters into a different assault zone. One of the Army UH-1Hs was hit by a mine explosion and two HMM-161 aircraft launched to recover the crew and passengers. The lead aircraft took heavy ground fire and received 8 hits but was able to extract the personel. The CATTLECALL aircraft was piloted by Major J.S. Loop and Colonel E.A. Parnell, CO MAG-39.
Comments: MAJ Loop, J.S. ; HMM-161 pilot; ; COL Parnell, E.A.; MAG-39 CO;

The source for this information was HMM-161 Command Chronology Apr 69 dated May 69

[John Allison]

I was supposed to be the crew chief on the bird that was hit by the claymore on initial landing.

At the time I was a section leader, flying as a relief crew chief, and while turning up for taxiing I was pulled off to take care of a problem with another bird that my replacement didn't know how to fix. My replacement took my place as crew chief.

L/Cpl's Thomas Lenz and William Bazemore lost their lives on this flight. Bazemore had a little over a month left to go on his tour and Lenz had just extended and was about to go on leave to get married.

A sad day in my life and I always wondered if I could have made any difference as I understand they were both wounded but couldn't get out of the aircraft.

Semper Fi

John Allison