11.09.2020 Views

Cobra 327 Dedication Booklet

This booklet contains information regarding the history, restoration and dedication ceremony for Bell Cobra-Rotary Wing Attack Helicopter, AH-1-66-F-15327, which has been placed on permanent display at the Martin County Veterans Memorial in Fairmont, MN.

This booklet contains information regarding the history, restoration and dedication ceremony for Bell Cobra-Rotary Wing Attack Helicopter, AH-1-66-F-15327, which has been placed on permanent display at the Martin County Veterans Memorial in Fairmont, MN.

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Cobra Helicopter

Dedication

AUGUST 1, 2020 | FAIRMONT, MN



Greetings

F R O M T H E

MARTIN COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL

COMMITTEE

It’s amazing how time flies when you’re having fun, and

that’s just what our team has been doing. At this writing,

it will be four years ago when we started this project.

The obstacles were many and large, but one by one, we

overcame each and every one.

We had some seed money but not much to start with. We

had to produce a mission statement, incorporate into a

501c, find a sponsor to help hold and bookkeep our funds.

Region Nine to the rescue. They handled all our fiduciary

responsibilities, helped us with the organization, and

getting our feet on the ground. Our hats off to Michelle

and her people for overseeing and helping us.

We next received funding from a Fairmont group, and it all

went uphill from there. People approached us with funds,

when we needed something, it just appeared and was taken

care of by so many folks behind the scene.

What you see at the Memorial is exactly what was designed

and approved by the team. Our first phase was building the

wall, flag, and sign. The back side needs to be finished, then

we will have completed that phase. Our second phase is the

statues throughout the wooded area with the Cobra gunship

included. We had planned to do the statues first, but a great

opportunity came about one meeting in particular, and

the race was on to get the Cobra and complete it within 12

months from the date of purchase. It had to be hauled from

Los Angeles, California.

When the Cobra arrived, it was a beaten-down old warrior,

still capable of doing its job, with burn marks all over, dented,

cracked, no rear rotor, and other parts missing. We needed to

get the Cobra to a safe place to work on it. We found that place

at the Harsco facility, in which they opened up their plant,

which was absolutely perfect for what we needed. Deeply

grateful to Harsco leaders and workers who went out of their

way to help us. The work was intense and thorough, the crew

did such a fine job refurbishing it into a new looking Cobra.

Our MCVM team is really proud of them.

Our main project now is the second phase and getting the

statues created and set in place. There will be a combat patrol

made up of a WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and present-day

soldiers in their proper uniforms and weapons, to represent

the men and women who sacrificed their lives for this great

country. We will be working hard to raise another $600,000 to

$700,000 to create the statues and a security system and other

things needed.

Most importantly, we want to thank all the businesses and

individuals who gave, or worked or just gave us moral support

and prayers. Out veterans, and this community, are richer and

stronger for the love shown.

– Terry Anderson, MCVM Chair

MCVM COMMITTEE

Terry Anderson: Chairman / Design Committee

Chuck Maday: Sr. Vice Chairman

Tom Childs: Jr. Vice Chairman

Verlus Burkhart: Treasurer

John McDonald: Secretary

Jim Miller: Past Chairman

Gary Reutzel: Past Sr. Vice Chairman (Deceased)

Steve Fosness: Past Treasurer

Chuck Mixson: Design Committee Chair/Memorial Site Director

Robert Meschke: Past Design Committee (Deceased)

Benjamin Landsteiner: Tech Support

Steve Chase: GSA & Government Liaison

Thomas Westcott: Helicopter Restoration Chairman

Douglas C Landsteiner: County Veteran Service Officer

Members of the Martin County Board of Commissioners

August 1, 2020 - Fairmont, Minnesota | 3


State of MN

& FEDERAL GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

Martin County Veteran Memorial Committee requested

Steve Chase to acquire military acquisitions for the

Memorial Site in Fairmont, Minnesota. Many venues were

explored: military, museum circuit, Vietnam friends and

bone yards. A federal agency in Washington D. C. gave

the contact information of the Minnesota Department

of Administration’s Federal Surplus Property Program

Administrator, Mr. Joseph Grove, to Steve Chase. Once

all the appropriate paperwork was completed and sent to

the United States General Services Administration (GSA)

Regional office, the request for the Cobra was approved.

There were five (5) other states that had requested the

same Cobra helicopter, these are in high demand across

the country.

When advised we were the successor, the necessary shipping

was arranged through Baartz and Myle Trucking firms. A

Recovery Team ascended in the California desert to pack

Cobra-327 for the long ride to Fairmont, Minnesota.

A local Restoration team was established and you can

read about that. The Minnesota Vietnamese Community

was contacted as they were our Allies and we shared

like American Values. On this date of August 01, 2020,

Cobra-327 will be dedicated to Martin County, Minnesota.

We thank all that have helped make this happen. For many

of the Vietnam Veterans, including the US Army 7/17

Groups, this will be a welcome home event. We wish to

share in this joy with everyone and God Bless America.

-Joseph Grove, Federal Surplus Property - State of Minnesota

JAMES C. McCONVILLE, US ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF

Thank you, the Martin County Board of Commissioners,

and the Martin County Veterans Memorial Committee for

the invitation to the dedication of the Bell Cobra Helicopter

327. Although I cannot attend the ceremony in person,

I know a lot of hard work went into memorializing this

historic aircraft in dedication of its service in Vietnam and

Laos. Our Veterans will never forget the deadly capabilities

of “The Snake” and the many lives saved. Thank you for

your service and dedicated contributions to maintaining

our proud Army history. This memorial will serve to honor

our Veterans, and also inspire our future generations to

serve with pride against all odds.

LARRY HERKE, COMMISSIONER, SPEAKER

As Commissioner, Herke is charged with assisting the state’s

308,000 Veterans and their families. He also represents the

Department at hearings before the Minnesota Legislature

and United States Congress, and maintains close working

relationships with the Veterans’ Service Organizations of

Minnesota.

Commissioner Herke grew up in Mankato, attending

Mankato East High School and Minnesota State at

Mankato. After serving four years on active duty with his

wife Debbie, also a Veteran, they returned to Minnesota.

For over 30 years, Commissioner Herke had the

opportunity to serve the nation and state as a member of

the U.S. Army and Minnesota National Guard. During

his military career he has met thousands of diverse and

talented Service Members from the Army, Navy, Air Force,

Marines and Coast Guard and was constantly humbled by

their selfless service and dedication to duty. Since retiring

from the National Guard in 2016, Commissioner Herke

was previously employed by the State of Minnesota as the

Director of the Office of Enterprise Sustainability, assisting

all 24 Cabinet Level agencies to develop sustainability

plans to save money while reducing the impact of their

operations on the environment and society.

James C. McConville, General, United States Army

4 | Martin County Veterans Memorial - Cobra Helicopter Dedication


Victor Nguyen, Joseph Grove, Steve Chase, Thomas Cao

COL CHAD H. SMITH,

CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS OFFICER, G3, SPEAKER

Commissioned as an Aviation Officer, COL Smith held

positions as an Attack Platoon Leader and Maintenance

Troop Executive Officer, 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored

Cavalry Regiment; G3 Deep Operations Coordination’s

Officer 8th Army; Assistant Squadron Officer Operations

and Air Cavalry Troop Commander, 1‐10th Cavalry, 4ID;

Battalion Operations Officer 1‐291st Training Support

Battalion, 75th Division; Brigade Operations Officer

Western Army Aviation Training Site (WAATS); Battalion

Commander 1‐285th Attack Aviation Regiment; Brigade

Executive Officer 98th Aviation Troop Command; Brigade

Operations Officer WAATS; Arizona Army National

Guard State Army Aviation Officer; INSCOM CLIPSO

Senior Army Contracting Officer; JTF J5 AZARNG.

THOMAS CAO,

PRESIDENT, VIETNAMESE COMMUNITY OF MN

It’s a great honor and privilege for the Vietnamese

Community of Minnesota to be part of this special

event. It’s also an opportunity for us to thank Vietnam

veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice

in Vietnam to help us South Vietnamese fight against

communist aggression from the North. Words alone can

not fully describe the amount of gratitude the Vietnamese

Americans truly feel about the Vietnam Veterans and

their families. From the bottoms of our hearts, we will

remember you, your sacrifices until our last breath. God

Bless America.

August 1, 2020 - Fairmont, Minnesota | 5


Our Mission

Martin County Government is to provide efficient and quality service to taxpayers

and customers, utilizing partnerships, communication, and cooperation.

Arrival of Cobra-327 in Fairmont – June 24, 2019

The Martin County Board of Commissioners are

proud to support the veterans of Martin County.

Commissioner Steve Flohrs, Chair | Commissioner Kathy Smith

Commissioner Thomas Mahoney (Desceased) | Julie Walters, Administrative Assistant

Commissioner Richard Koons | Commissioner Elliot Belgard, Vice Chair

Scott Higgins, County Coordinator

On behalf of the Martin County Board of Commissioners,

I wish to recognize and thank the members of the Martin

County Veterans Memorial Committee, County staff, and

all of the volunteers that have dedicated countless hours

of time and effort to the refurbishing and dedication of

the COBRA attack helicopter, and also those who have

contributed financially to the project.

Tam Plumhoff | Doug Landsteiner

Martin County Board of Commissioners want to

recognize the staff of the Martin County Veteran

Service Office (Director Doug Landsteiner and Veteran

Service Specialist Tam Plumhoff) for serving Martin

County veterans and their families as well as providing

support and resources for the Martin County Veterans

Memorial Committee since its inception.

– Chairman Steve Flohrs

6 | Martin County Veterans Memorial - Cobra Helicopter Dedication


Photo: David A Parker

I am pleased to welcome you to Fairmont, the City of Lakes. We are excited that you have come to share in the

celebration of the Martin County Veterans Memorial Site and the dedication of the Bell Cobra Attack Helicopter

327. The City extends a warm welcome to all veterans, their families, and distinguished guests.

The City would like to thank the Martin County Veterans Memorial Committee for their dedication and hard work

in being awarded the Bell Cobra Attack Helicopter 327. The Memorial Wall and Helicopter is truly an asset to the

City of Fairmont and a wonderful place to reflect and remember.

Thank you to every brave man and woman who has ever fought for our country. Thank you to those who saw

combat, as well as those who trained and stood prepared to defend us. Thank you to the families and friends of

veterans for the sacrifice of their time away from their loved ones. Thank you for the freedom and safety we enjoy

every day. May your sacrifices never be forgotten.

While you are in Fairmont we invite you to enjoy our five lakes, our many beautiful parks, dining establishments

and lodging accommodations. Enjoy your time in Fairmont and come back and visit us soon.

Mayor Deborah J. Foster

The MCVM Committee would like to

thank the local

fire departments

for their support of their fellow fire fighters in the

helicopter service. They will be attending the dedication

parade. Some of their equipment will also be available

afterward at the Martin County Fairgrounds.

August 1, 1, 2020 -- Fairmont, Minnesota | 7


Honoring

Women Veterans in the Military

MARTIN COUNTY HONORS ALL FEMALE VETERANS WHO SERVE AND HAVE SERVED IN THE US ARMED FORCES

Women in the United States military during the

Vietnam War held diverse and important roles

supporting the war mission. Many servicewomen

stationed in the combat zone served with

distinction. Women line officers, staff officers, and

enlisted personnel performed a range of military

occupational specialties in the Army, Navy, Air

Force, and Marine Corps.

KAY BAUER, 2018 MN FEMALE VETERAN OF THE YEAR

Minnesotans from around the state nominated nine

service women for outstanding lifetime contributions to

their communities, and it is with great pleasure that we

announce Catherine “Kay” Bauer the 2018 Minnesota

Woman Veteran of the Year as our honored guest for the

Cobra-327 dedication parade and ceremony.

Kay Bauer is a retired nurse who served a total of thirtyfive

years in the United States Navy, on active duty and

in the Navy Reserve.

Kay’s active duty service took her to duty stations all

over the world, where her selfless service made a positive

impact on both the military and local communities.

Kay served with a Forward Surgical Team in Vietnam,

wartime service chronicled in the book Sisterhood of

War: Minnesota Women in Vietnam by Kim Heikkila.

In Japan, she partnered with the Tokyo University

medical staff to provide medical care for local children.

During her time in both Guam and Vietnam, she

worked with the local Catholic nuns to care for the poor

with outpatient medical services and vaccinations.

Following her service overseas, Kay played an important

role in the effort to recognize and care for those suffering

from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at a time

when few acknowledged, let alone treated PTSD. She

was a critical catalyst in creating the Vietnam Veteran

nurses’ PTSD support group in the Twin Cities.

Kay’s contributions as a military care provider span

numerous other areas, including the development of

the Tri-Service Nursing Program, assisting with the

establishment of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in

Washington, D.C., and substantial involvement in the

efforts to establish the Women in Military Service to

America Memorial.

We also honor those Vietnam War Veteran nurses who

accompany Kay today:

• Mary Breed

• Pamela Barrows

• Mary Brunner

• Julie Elliott

Read more on Kay at: womenveteransinitiative.com

8 | Martin County Veterans Memorial - Cobra Helicopter Dedication


RECOVERY

& RESTORATION

On June 24, 2019, we received a Bell AH-1F Cobra helicopter,

serial #66-15327 that came into Fairmont on a flatbed semi

from California and was delivered to our local airport by Baarts

Trucking. Later that week, I received a phone call from the Martin

County Veteran’s Memorial chairman who asked me to be the

team leader for the restoration project. I accepted the position

with great honor, and felt it was a good fit from my military

training in airframe repair.

In our first meeting with the Martin County Memorial

Committee, I introduced myself and briefed them about my past

experience with aircraft. With that, I told them that I was hoping

for volunteers to express their interest in being on the team. An

hour and a half after the meeting, I had my team put together.

I spent many hours making phone calls to get the refurbishment

started. Then I selected my team leader who was an AP&E license

holder (Airframe, Power Plant and Electrical), and a pilot. We

then got the Cobra moved from the local airport to the building

where work would begin. Once it was there, Mitch Jenkins and I

made our first trip to survey the damaged Cobra. We discovered

that it was used to fight fires in California and it had a lot of

blistering, so I got on the phone and got bids for sandblasting

and painting. Mike’s Sandblasting and Professional Painting was

the successful bidder from New Ulm, MN.

Needless to say, it was a highly collaborative effort. My team

consisted of engine, rotor, and airframe specialists, along with

many volunteers, including Chuck Mixon, which had a huge

part in everything. We proceeded to drain all the fluids from the

engine, repair holes with patches, and found it necessary to make

a new nose-piece out of fiberglass with the help of Dave Harner.

The refurbishing has now been completed and the Cobra was

mounted on a 10’ pole at the Martin County Veterans Memorial

Park on the 18th of June. The August 1st dedication will

commemorate the new display.

-Tom Westcott

RESTORATION TEAM TOM WESTCOTT: Team Leader

Bob Altman

Tim Koehle

Derek Bartz

Jon Landquist

Elliot Belgard

Barry Maday

Lee Bremer

Chuck Maday

Bill Bergstrom

Cheri McAdams

Ruban Cruz

James McAdams

Borton Flitter

Gregory Mitchel

Dwight Flitter

Jim Miller

Jack Garbers

Chuck Mixson

Dave Hanson

Bob Neusch

Lee Hanson

Jim Thate

Dave Harner

Dan Rudolph

Mitch Jenkins

Danny Rynearson

Tim Knaak

Richard Zehms

RECOVERY TEAM

Parker Newman: Kern County Fire

Charlie Cass: Helicopter Expert

Larry Baarts: Trucking

Gerry Myli: Trucker

Harry Schmiedel: Disassemble

Joe Grove: MN Admin

Jerry Schultz: Team Lead

Garrett Frankland: RST Crane Co.

Steve Chase, GSA/Government Liaison

August 1, 2020 - Fairmont, Minnesota | 9


Cobra-327

DOG TAG PLACEMENT CEREMONY

The Cobra-327 Dedication Event will include a Military

Dog Tag Placement in which attending Veterans will

be invited to hang their dog tags from the helicopter

display pedestal. All US Military Veterans in attendance

are encouraged to have ceremonial dog tags produced

and to participate in the placement ceremony. Two rings

have been installed on the helicopter display pedestal

from which the dog tags will be hung. The upper ring

is reserved for the tags of Veterans who have served

as helicopter pilots, gunners, crew chiefs or helicopter

crew members in the US military. The lower ring is

designated for the tags of all other US Military Veterans.

In addition, souvenir dog tags will be available for

purchase the day of the Dedication ceremony for $10

each. These limited number of tags will be stamped:

MCVM

AH1 Cobra-327

c 7/17 AIR CAV (Unit who flew the Cobra during Vietnam)

1963 – 1971 (Years of Service in Vietnam)

1 AUG 2020 (Dedication Ceremony Date)

A dog tag production station will be set up at the Martin

County Veterans Memorial site during the event.

Ceremonial dog tags will be available to be purchased

and struck on-site by the Martin County Veterans

Memorial Committee.

Individual dog tags can be purchased for $10 each

or $20 per set. Dog tag sets will include one tag to be

hung from the display pedestal and one tag on a long

ball chain to be kept by the Veteran or their family as a

keepsake or souvenir.

After the event, dog tags can be purchased online at:

www.MCVM.org/dog-tag-orders

10 | Martin County Veterans Memorial - Cobra Helicopter Dedication


Story of a veteran:

Martin County

The following Martin County Veterans were involved

with helicopters during their military tour of duty. Their

military occupations included being pilots, door gunners,

crew chiefs, maintenance, and more. Their experiences

have been documented by Lenny Tvedten and published

in the Fairmont Sentinel, Photo Press, Truman Tribune,

and Martin County Star. Those Veterans providing their

experiences include the following:

Terry Anderson

Randy Benck by, and including, Dale Tauer

Dale Harbitz

Doug Kahler

Neil Lee

Mike Wolter

Bob Neusch

Lauren Tesdahl

Tom Westcott

Mike Wolter

Richard Zehms

Richard Zehms

Dale Tauer

Doug Kahler

Randy Benck

August 1, 2020 - Fairmont, Minnesota | 11


1966 BELL AH-1F COBRA ROTARY WING ATTACK HELICOPTER

SERIAL #6615327

THE HISTORY OF COBRA-327

Bell’s AH-1 Cobra helicopter needs little introduction. It

fulfilled the US Army’s requirement for a weapons platform

to protect troop transport helicopters during the Vietnam

War, since the Bell UH-1C Iroquois ‘Huey’ gunship was

unable to escort the faster transport helicopters. The

sleek and lethal AH-1G Cobra satisfied the Army’s urgent

requirement for a pure gunship in the intensifying war.

Shortly after its arrival in Vietnam during mid-1967,

the Cobra quickly earned the respect of its fixed wing

contemporaries. Its combat rolls were expanded to include

anti-armor missions using the Hughes BGM-71 TOW antiarmor

missile. This foreshadowed the conversion of half

the Army’s Cobras to anti-armor platforms during the mid-

1970s to counter the Warsaw Pact armor threat in Europe.

The Army continually upgraded its Cobras before they were

replaced in favor of McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) AH-

64 Apaches during the late 1980s.

U.S. Army records reflect this very helicopter is nationally

famous for serving the U.S. Army in Vietnam, Laos, and

Cambodia from 1968-1971. Many veterans remember how

the Cobra saved their lives when they were outnumbered

by the enemy. Our local veterans have lived the story. In

Vietnam on various dates, Cobra-327 was hit by enemy fire

at least 12 times. Bell’s armor plating saved the flight crew

from mortal infliction. Missions accomplished: Armed

Escort, Recon Missions, and Battle Support.

In 1971, Cobra-327 saw service in Laos at the Battle of

Lam Son 719, one of the deadliest battles of the war. Flying

this helicopter were several members of the U.S. Army-7th

Squad-17th Calvary-C Troop. On one mission Cobra-327

was mortally shot, and was a ride one of the pilots will

never forget. The Pilot-1LT C. David Stinson and Gunner-

WO1 Stephen H. Wilton survived. Unfortunately, after the

war, Stephen H. Wilton died at age 37 from Agent Orange.

When the U.S. Army received new helicopters; Cobra-327

was retired to public service. Kern County, California, with

its multitude of wildfires each year at different points across

its 8,000 square miles, invested in helicopters capable of

night flight. Through grants, it picked up two retired Army

helicopters (one being our Cobra-327). The helicopters

were upgraded with newer engines, transmissions and

tail boom, and had been reinforced to handle the weight

and stress that comes with carrying 360 gallons of water.

These helicopters travel at about 120 mph and can go about

90 minutes without refueling. The Cobra helicopter was

chosen to fight night fires because of the affixed military

infrared scanners that can locate people through heavy

smoke. The Cobra has the nickname the “Snake”, because

of its maneuverability. Before restoration, burn marks

were still visible from the fires where it landed, which

shows how close to the fires the Cobra could maneuver.

12 | Martin County Veterans Memorial - Cobra Helicopter Dedication


OPERATION LAM SON 719

Operation Lam Son 719 or 9th Route - Southern Laos

Campaign was a limited-objective offensive campaign

conducted in the southeastern portion of the Kingdom of

Laos. The campaign was carried out by the armed forces of the

Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) between 8 February

and 25 March, 1971, during the Vietnam War. The United

States provided logistical, aerial, and artillery support to the

operation, but its ground forces were prohibited by law from

entering Laotian territory. The objective of the campaign was

the disruption of a possible future offensive by the People’s

Army of Vietnam (PAVN), whose logistical system within

Laos was known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail (the Truong Son

Road to North Vietnam).

By launching such a spoiling attack against PAVN’s longestablished

logistical system, the American and South

Vietnamese high commands hoped to resolve several

pressing issues. A quick victory in Laos would bolster

the morale and confidence of the Army of the Republic of

Vietnam (ARVN), which was already high in the wake of the

successful Cambodian Campaign of 1970. It would also serve

as proof positive that South Vietnamese forces could defend

their nation in the face of the continuing withdrawal of U.S.

ground combat forces from the theater. The operation would

be, therefore, a test of that policy and ARVN’s capability to

operate effectively by itself.

Because of the South Vietnamese need for security which

precluded thorough planning, an inability by the political

and military leaders of the U.S. and South Vietnam to face

military realities, and poor execution, Operation Lam Son

719 collapsed when faced by the determined resistance of

a skillful foe. The campaign was a disaster for the ARVN,

demonstrating deficiencies in ARVN military leaders and

that the best units of the ARVN could be defeated by PAVN

and destroying the confidence that had been built up over the

previous three years.

Background

Between 1959 and 1970, the Ho Chi Minh Trail had become

the key logistical artery for PAVN and the Viet Cong (VC), in

their effort to conduct military operations to topple the U.S.-

supported government of South Vietnam and create a unified

nation. Running from the southwestern corner of North

Vietnam through southeastern Laos and into the western

portions of South Vietnam, the trail system had been the

target of continuous U.S. aerial interdiction efforts that had

begun in 1966. Only small-scale covert operations in support

of the air campaigns had, however, been conducted on the

ground inside Laos to halt the flow of men and supplies on

the trail.

With the partial destruction of the North Vietnamese

logistical system in Cambodia, the U.S. headquarters in Saigon

determined that the time was propitious for a similar campaign

in Laos. If such an operation were to be carried out, the U.S.

command believed, it would be best to do it quickly, while

American military assets were still available in South Vietnam.

Such an operation would create supply shortages that would

be felt by PAVN/VC forces 12–18 months later, as the last U.S.

troops were leaving South Vietnam and thereby give the U.S.

and its ally a respite from a possible communist offensive in the

northern provinces for one year, possibly even two.

August 1, 2020 - Fairmont, Minnesota | 13


7/17

War Stories

THE LAST COMBAT MISSION

OF COBRA 66-15327

DAVID STINSON, COBRA-327 PILOT

Our unit was C Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry. In late

January, 1971, we were suddenly redeployed from our home

base at Lane Army Airfield, just west of the city of Qui Nhon

in the northern part of the II Corps area of South Vietnam, to

Quang Tri Province in the very northernmost section of the

country bordering the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating

North and South Vietnam. We had no idea why we were being

sent north to Quang Tri or why, upon arrival, we were paired

up for orientation flights in the area with elements of the 2nd

Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, the air cav squadron that served

the 101st Airborne Division, but we settled in and waited for

orders, knowing that something special was coming.

After spending a miserable, cold and rainy week in Quang Tri,

on February 7 all of the forward elements of the Troop, along

with several other aviation units, engineer units, mechanized

infantry and other units, were moved west to occupy Khe

Sanh, the former Marine Corps combat base located just a

few kilometers east of the Laotian border and south of the

DMZ. Late that afternoon we learned for the first time that

C Troop was to take part in a massive and highly secret

operation designated as Lam Son 719, the South Vietnamese

Army (ARVN) incursion into Laos. The operation was

intended to cut the Ho Chi Minh Trail along a 40 kilometer

swath from the South Vietnam border all the way west to the

small Laotian town of Tchepone, and thereby deny Viet Cong

forces in the South the benefit of weapons, ammunition, aid

and supplies theretofore routinely provided by the communist

controlled North. The planned axis of the operation was the

east/west single lane dirt track running directly west from the

border to Tchepone, designated as Highway 9.

Lam Son 719 kicked off on the morning of February 8, 1971,

when the ARVN 3rd Armor Brigade crossed into Laos on

Highway 9 just southwest of Khe Sanh. C Troop aircraft led

the way across the border with one OH-6A light observation

helicopter (LOH) and one AH-1G Cobra gunship overhead

to screen ahead of the column. At the same time, C Troop

LOHs and Cobras reconned and prepped landing zones (LZs)

at select spots across the border and C Troop UH-1H Hueys,

along with aircraft from several other U.S. Army aviation

units, airlifted ARVN Ranger, airborne and infantry troop

into LZs north and south of the Highway 9 axis of advance.

After one week into the operation the ARVN, operating

without U.S. advisors alongside, due to a Congressional

prohibition resulting from President Nixon’s surprise

incursion into Cambodia the previous spring, were stuck

on the pre-planned LZs north and south of Highway 9 and

in two firebase strongpoints astride Highway 9 defended

by armor assets. It appeared that the ARVN had lost the

initiative and intended to hunker in place after advancing less

than halfway to the objective. Despite the lull in the ground

offensive, U.S. Army helicopter units and Air Force air-toground

assets continued to fly mission after mission providing

much needed supplies to the ARVN, medical evacuation

of ARVN wounded, attacking and suppressing the wellentrenched

North Vietnamese Army (NVA) positions and

conducting recon operations for future ARVN landing zones

that would be necessary to launch an assault on Tchepone.

By that time in the operation, any aircraft flying at normal

tactical altitude over Laos was at risk of being engaged by

14 | Martin County Veterans Memorial - Cobra Helicopter Dedication


the well positioned and extremely effective NVA anti-aircraft

weaponry including, particularly with respect to helicopters,

the much feared Russian-manufactured .51 caliber antiaircraft

machine guns. Aircraft and crew losses among U.S.

aviation units that week were bad and getting worse each

day. It was an environment none of us had ever experienced

while flying our normal missions throughout South Vietnam.

In the South we were for the most part fighting against Viet

Cong guerrillas who operated on a hit-and-run basis. While

the VC were a tough, tenacious and a formidable enemy,

they didn’t have the capability of mounting the determined

resistance and routinely employing the heavy weapons we’d

encountered those first few days of flying across the border.

In Laos the NVA were standing their ground and fighting

to defend their turf, and they had the capability of making

every mission flown into their territory one of potential life

or death.

On Saturday morning, February 13, 1971, a flight of five C

Troop helicopters took off from Khe Sanh and headed west

for the border. The flight consisted of a single Huey, the

Command and Control aircraft (C&C), flying at several

thousand feet to avoid the .51s and other ground fire, and

one Cobra gunship flying high cover along with the C&C

aircraft. Down low was one LOH as lead bird in the low level

reconnaissance team and two Cobra gunships in close trail

for fire support. The mission, crazy as it seemed to those of

us flying it, was to make a mad dash the 40 kilometers out to

Tchepone, take a look around and, as explained to us, “see

what was out there.” But we all knew what was out there – all

the bad guys in the world with all the small arms and antiaircraft

weapons anyone could ever imagine. Our strategy

for flying the mission, which we cooked-up ourselves in

the interest of staying alive, was for the LOH and the two

Cobras to fly generally along the course of the road – our only

navigation reference at low level - at 80 to 100 knots and 20

feet above the trees in an effort to avoid the devastating small

arms and anti-aircraft fire we knew we’d encounter between

the border and Tchepone. If we got to Tchepone, the plan was

to take a very quick look around and then hightail it back to

Khe Sanh with a report.

I was flying the low level trail Cobra in our mission to

Tchepone that morning; the tail number of our aircraft was

15327. I was a 24-year old first lieutenant with seven months

in country, much of that time flying Cobras for Charlie Troop.

My call sign was “White 3.” My copilot/gunner in the front

seat of 327 that day was a young warrant officer (WO1) named

Steve Wilton. Steve was fairly new in the country but had a

great attitude and an unusual calmness under fire, which he

had shown on a previous mission with me across the border.

Our flight crossed the invisible international boundary and

flew west out Highway 9 just above the tops of the scrubby

trees that bordered the dirt track on both sides. The pilot of

the lead LOH was keeping his speed up to somewhere between

80 and 100 knots as planned, and as the trail ship in the loose

formation I kept my eyes outside the cockpit and glued to the

Cobra just ahead. It occurred to me that this was the fifth day

I’d flown down this road and on more than one occasion it had

been just like this – low, fast and close to the trees.

About 20 kilometers into Laos we reached Firebase Aloui, the

last ARVN stronghold on the road to Tchepone and the last

navigational checkpoint for low level missions in the area.

We flew over the base at high speed, receiving enthusiastic

waves from the ARVN soldiers below. Aloui was the halfway

point. We had another 20 kilometers to go before reaching

Tchepone. At this speed it would take us about eight very

long minutes to get to the objective.

But approximately five kilometers or so west of Aloui the NVA

had a surprise waiting for us: .51s on the north side of the

road. The sound was unmistakable - BOOM-BOOM-BOOM.

The resonant noise and deliberate rate of fire of the .51s was

hauntingly familiar to me after the close encounter I’d had

with a couple of those hated weapons the day before. It was

noticeably slower than the rapid chatter of an AK-47 and much

louder, deeper and richer. And it was instantly terrifying,

especially when you were right down there with them.

One of the big guns was just off the right side of the road and

close in. The first few shots from that one seemed to rock

our aircraft. Before anyone could break or call, “takin’ fire,”

something slammed into the right side of our Cobra that

felt like we’d been hit with a brick shot out of a cannon. In

the space of about one second the flight controls went stiff

and I felt like I was going to lose control of the bird. I had

no hydraulics. The cyclic was bucking and shaking in my

hand and the aircraft was not responding to normal control

movements. The pedals felt like they were stuck. We were

still traveling at nearly 100 knots and the trees lining the road

seemed to close in as the aircraft wobbled just above them.

The LOH had broken hard left, away from where the fire

appeared to be coming from, and the lead Cobra had

followed. I couldn’t horse the aircraft around that fast

with no hydraulics but I was trying, while at the same time

working on maintaining control. The good news was that we

were still flying and the .51s had stopped firing. We must

have passed through the kill zone. After no more than two

or three seconds, I finally had time to come up on the radio

and call the flight, “THIS IS THREE – WE’RE HIT. MY

HYDRAULICS ARE GONE.” I didn’t intend to shout on the

radio, it just came out that way.

The pilot of the lead Cobra came back, “OKAY THREE,

STICK WITH IT. WHERE ARE YOU?”

Gathering myself I said more calmly, “I’m behind you and

trying to get turned back toward Aloui.”

I had the cyclic pulled hard to the left and the aircraft was

responding sluggishly. I realized I was going to have difficulty

August 1, 2020 - Fairmont, Minnesota | 15


staying out of the trees unless I got a little more altitude, so I

added some collective pitch as I pulled back on the cyclic to

keep the nose up. The aircraft bucked and fought the turn.

Then I thought about Steve Wilton in my front seat; he hadn’t

said a word since the firing started.

I clicked the intercom: “Steve, are you hit?”

“No. I’m okay.”

That was a relief. I continued turning until we were over the

south side of the road. While we were headed in the right

direction, I was sure that in just a second or two we’d be

back in the kill zone, but I couldn’t do anything about that

now. I could hear AK fire to my left, but with my hands full

I didn’t know if they were shooting at me, the other ships or

somebody else. Even so, that seemed like a minor issue at the

time; I just didn’t want to hear those .51s again. Why they

weren’t shooting at us I’ll never know.

When I got established east bound, I made a decision. I wasn’t

sure how badly we were hit, whether we had flight control

damage or just hydraulic failure, and whether or not we’d lose

collective control before we made it back to Khe Sanh, but

I did know that the aircraft was barely responding and then

only after I fought every control movement. There were just

too many unknowns for me to keep flying.

I keyed the intercom once more: “Steve, I’m going to try to get

this thing on the ground right now.”

“Okay,” was all he said.

The lead Cobra pilot called, “How are you doing Three?”

“It’s rough, but so far, so good. I’m going to try to run it in

on the road.”

“Roger. We’ll come back around for you.”

I started looking for a smooth spot on the primitive dirt track

where I could put the Cobra’s narrow landing gear on the

ground. Just ahead I saw an opening between some tall trees

with a clean, straight stretch of road.

“Lock your harness Steve; I’m going for the stretch between

the trees.”

I got lined up and pulled the cyclic back, at the same time

lowering the collective. The control movements must have

been too severe as the aircraft slipped sideways. I recovered,

then put the nose down and worked it slower, now between

the trees on both sides of the road. In the background I heard

the steady rattle of AK fire, the distinctive clack clack barely

registering in my consciousness; still, I couldn’t tell whether

or not they were shooting at us.

I flared the bird slightly and bled off some airspeed before

nosing over to level the skids. We hit the road straight on

and the dust provided a slippery surface, enabling us to slide

forward instead of flipping. I continued to fight the cyclic and

the pedals until we got stopped, about 30 meters from where

the skids first hit the road. It was the second miracle of the

day. We’d survived the point blank .51 fire and now we were

down and in one piece.

The relief of being on the ground and upright was short lived.

I knew we were west of Aloui, but I didn’t know how far. As

the blades started to wind down I killed all the switches and

punched off the secure setting on the FM radio scrambler, then

popped the canopy; Steve’s was already open. I was out of my

harness and getting ready to jump out of the bird when I saw

some movement to the right front of the aircraft. My heart sank.

I was fairly certain the ARVN weren’t out this far so they must be

NVA. I looked up and saw several soldiers with weapons coming

through the brush near the side of the road. I considered our

situation. Steve and I were both still in the aircraft, no way we

could get to cover before they were right on top of us. We were

sitting ducks with nothing but a couple of nearly useless .38

caliber revolvers – standard pilot issue. If they wanted to shoot us

we were done. I reconciled myself to the fact that within the next

thirty seconds we were either going to be killed or captured. But

just then it finally registered with both of us that our visitors were

wearing green uniforms, not khaki, and that they were carrying

M-16s. Our unbelievable luck had continued; we’d crashed right

16 | Martin County Veterans Memorial - Cobra Helicopter Dedication


in front of an ARVN patrol out of Aloui. They hadn’t ventured

far down the road but just far enough.

Steve and I jumped out of the aircraft and hurried over to

the ARVNs. I knew that the NVA were in the vicinity and

probably were aware of our position and I wondered if they

might be coming after us. Since they probably didn’t know

about the patrol, we could be in the middle of a firefight pretty

quick; even so, we couldn’t be too far from Aloui. Just then

I heard the distinctive sound of a LOH coming our way. I

needed to let him know we were okay and with friendlies, so

I ran out into the road and waved. Some of the ARVNs came

out with me. I hoped the LOH pilot would get the picture. We

were down, in one piece and had been secured by a friendly

patrol. He waved and gave me a “thumbs up,” then zipped

away to the east.

That was a relief. Our guys knew where we were, and when

they could they’d be in to pick us up. I double-timed back to

the ARVNs near the tree line, stumbled backwards and sat

down hard on a low berm, my back against the underbrush.

None of the ARVNs spoke English, but they smiled and

patted Steve and me on the back and shoulders, speaking

excitedly in their language. I pulled out an almost full pack of

Marlboros, took one for myself, offered the pack to the ARVN

soldier sitting next to me and made a circling motion with

my fingers. He smiled, took the pack and handed it around

to the others. I lit up and leaned back against the berm. The

smoke in my lungs seemed to have a narcotic effect and things

started to calm down.

After a while Steve got up and jogged over to the aircraft.

He climbed into the front and grabbed his camera, and with

several of the ARVNs standing around watching, he started

taking pictures of the bird. I walked out to join him, convinced

now that the NVA weren’t coming. I looked at the right side

of the aircraft where I’d felt the stunning impact. I could see

only one hole that clearly had been made by a .51 round. It

was behind the cockpit and just above the fuel cap and was

large enough for me to put a finger in. As I touched the

aircraft, I noticed the dirty pink fluid all over the side of the

ship, running out from underneath the compartment that

housed the hydraulic reservoirs. I popped the latches and

opened the door. The extent of the damage was surprising.

One of the cast aluminum reservoirs had been completely

shattered. Only the top of the reservoir housing and small

pieces of the aluminum shell were visible on the deck. The

other was damaged but still in one piece, although all of the

lines not ripped apart by the explosion were cut and leaking.

I walked around to the left side of the aircraft, seeing it for

the first time. The access door to the hydraulic compartment

on that side was still latched, but a 10-inch long piece of the

panel had been ripped away, its jagged edges sticking out in all

directions from the ugly exit wound. The .51 round had gone

in one side of the aircraft, through the hydraulic reservoir and

its heavy liquid contents, then evidently expanding its energy

front, ripped out through the other side of the aircraft making

a hole twenty times bigger than the original projectile, all with

the same ease as if the bird had been made of rice paper. It

was an awesome and frightening sight. One thing became

clear to me as I looked at the damage: even our body armor

chest protector, which we called a “chicken plate,” wasn’t

going to stop a .51.

I went back over to the berm, sat down and lit another

cigarette. I looked all around, west down the dirt track toward

Tchepone, at the ARVNs gathered around us and into the first

cut of jungle on both sides of the road. I shook my head in

resignation of all that had just happened.

A few minutes later our LOH flew back across the crash site.

Not long after that I heard the distinctive whomp-whomp of

a Huey and then saw the C&C bird come over the trees from

the east, circle around and land on the road just in front of our

downed Cobra. Steve and I stood up, grabbed our gear and

said our goodbyes to the ARVNs. They bobbed their heads,

smiled and waved.

We ran out, threw in our gear and hopped into the cargo bay

of the Huey. The crew chief helped us in and, shouting over

the noise, asked if we were okay. The Old Man had turned

around and was facing us, probably trying to ascertain the

same thing. I shouted, “WE’RE OKAY,” to the crew chief and

gave the Major a “thumbs-up.” He nodded, turned around

and picked the bird up to a hover, then took off quickly to the

east. I sat on my chicken plate as we low-leveled out toward

the border. I laid my head back against the back wall of the

cargo bay, closed my eyes and thanked God that we were on

our way out of Laos.

Although I was unaware of it at the time, evidently the

ARVNs secured the crash site and the aircraft long enough for

a recovery team, probably a Chinook, to come in sometime

later that afternoon or the following day and sling load the

damaged bird back to Quang Tri. Actually, right up to the

time I was contacted about the impending MCVM project

I still believed that 327 had been left in Laos. It came as

quite a surprise to me to learn that it subsequently had been

recovered and had had another life after Vietnam. I was glad

to see that it too had made it back home.

-David Stinson, June, 2020

August 1, 2020 - Fairmont, Minnesota | 17


WO STEPHEN H. WILTON, GUNNER OF COBRA-327

Steve returned from his service in Vietnam to a society in

rapid change. He, like many others, worked to find a way to

navigate this new reality out of structured Army regimens and

in a world that did not value that service, did not have many

jobs available, and with a feeling that his peers had passed

him by in life. Friends had established jobs, had completed

training or college, had time for relationships or marriage and

family. He started a small resale shop and then worked for

a friend and learned auto body repair. He enjoyed restoring

Corvettes.

After we met and married in 1978, Steve returned to

Lansing Community College and then Central Michigan

University. While at CMU, he had the opportunity to work

in the Veterans Affairs office with others who had military

service in common. One of the things the guys did together

was to answer the phone lines during the airing of a PBS

documentary about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD

had not been talked about before this, and certainly not as

a common response to the war or as an explanation of some

of the ongoing issues veterans were experiencing. Steve was

thankful for that knowledge. It helped him understand what

he had been through as well as how much more difficult it

could be for others. He mentioned seeing the reflection of the

sun off an enemy’s watch as he flew in to provide cover for US

troops and realizing it was a real person, not just an enemy.

He knew the ‘ground pounders’ and a friend from home who

was a ‘tunnel rat’ had much closer encounters and relatively

more trauma.

Steve graduated with a BA in Elementary Education. We

moved to Hinesville Georgia ( Fort Stewart) where he taught

3rd and 4th grades for Liberty County Schools. He was an

excellent teacher and well respected by the community.

At the end of his first year of teaching, Steve was experiencing

a constant cough and shortness of breath. The diagnosis of

Hodgkin’s disease was considered good news as it had a high

cure rate. He continued to teach during treatments of both

chemotherapy and radiation. We had wonderful support

from friends, students and educators in Hinesville and

Michigan. There were two brief remissions but by late 1987

the only option left was a bone marrow transplant which was

performed at Emory University Hospital. He died March 14 ,

1988 in Grand Rapids, Michigan where we had returned to be

closer to both our families.

Hodgkin’s Disease was not recognized at the time as being

caused by, or related to, exposure to Agent Orange.

Steve had an impact on so many people during a short (39

years) life. He was a caring, smart, and fun man. I am thankful

for the time we had together.

-Mary Martiny Wilton Buys, wife of Stephen Wilton

CW2 MIKE COCHRAN, C TROOP 7/17 AIR CAVALRY

July 1970-July 1971

June 1969

I have been fascinated by things that fly all my life. Some of

my earliest memories as a child were looking up to see what

was flying overhead. I knew I wanted to be a pilot and when I

found out I might/could be an Army helicopter pilot I signed

up. The Air Force and Navy required four years of college, and

I was too impatient for that.

July 1970

Having survived the Army’s version of a combination of OCS

and flight school I arrived in Vietnam as a WO1 helicopter

pilot in July, 1970. Most Nam vets I know said the first things

they noticed when they stepped off the plane was the heat and

the smell.

I was assigned to C Troop which led to a year of experiences

that have never been equaled. Excitement, fun, fear, fatigue,

humor, terror, grief, mental stress to the edge, and a calm relief

when it ended were just some of the emotions experienced.

My training resulted in my being qualified as a Huey pilot.

However, the unit was short Cobra pilots. I agreed to switch

to the Cobra platoon and became a front seater which was a

combination of copilot, gunner and aerial observer.

The AH-1 G was a bad machine. The name Snake was used

interchangeably with Cobra. When someone referred to

a Snake or Cobra you were talking about the same aircraft.

Imagine if you can, the first time you fired the mini gun.

Below your feet was a six barrel Gatling gun spewing out 6,000

rounds per minute of 7.62 ammo with a very loud BRRRRRR!

There was nothing between you and the target but a stream

of red tracers. The first pair of rockets departed their tubes

18 | Martin County Veterans Memorial - Cobra Helicopter Dedication


with an unmistakable whoosh. You could literally follow

the rockets with your eyes from ignition to impact. And

then there was the chunker. The automatic 40mm grenade

launcher had a much slower rate of fire but you just knew

you didn’t want to be on the receiving end of anything the

Snake could throw at you.

Flying the Cobra was fun. It was fast and maneuverable for a

helicopter. Taking off with a full load of fuel and armament

on a hot, humid day using the front seat controls was a

challenge. Max gross weight takeoffs became routine. Both

pilots had to be able to fly the aircraft at anytime.

Operation Lam Son 719 proved to be a challenge for every

member of the unit but especially the flight crews. Each

mission across the border into Laos exposed the aircraft

and crews to the possibility of encountering intense anti

aircraft fire. On one mission, the Cobra I was flying in took

a .51 caliber hit in the leading edge of one of the main rotor

blades. This type of damage could have caused the blade to

fail resulting in a catastrophic, fatal situation. The Cobra

returned its crew to Khe Sanh to fly another day.

The unit got an infusion of Cobra pilots and I returned

to flying Hueys for the remainder of my tour. Through

the years I’ve thought about my Nam flying days and the

months I spent in the Cobra. A little smile crosses my lips

as I think “Damn, what an aircraft!” Having flown at least

eight missions in 66-15327 it’s good to be able to say again

“hello Old Friend.”

-Mike Cochran, LTC (Ret), June 10, 2020

JON RACKLEY, NAVY TOP DIVER, 1968

One fine day in 1968 Danny McDaniel and I decided we

had had enough of loitering around Groton, Connecticut,

waiting to be assigned to a class at the Navy’s Submarine

School. We got a wild hair and filled out “Request chits” to be

sent to Vietnam. Ahhh, that youthful exuberance. We were

promptly, very promptly, granted our request. Fast forward

through the PBR engine maintenance school and others and

there I was, at Service Craft Squadron in Danang. Chief

Peters pointed out in the bay and said, “Rackley, there’s your

boat.” It was the YG-51. A garbage barge! In Vietnam?

Fast forward again past the wretched stench, flies and constant

sea sickness. One day there was a request out to anyone who

thought they could be a U.S. Navy Deep Sea Diver. Heck yes!

Pick me! Please! And off to Subic Bay I went.

A few months later, as a diver in I-Corps, we had myriad

duties that would crop up. The boss (LPO) would ask you, “Ya

want a job?” which meant diving. He would not tell you what

it was. It could be demoing a river obstruction at Dong Ha or

Cua Viet with C-4 and Bangalores or retrieving the body of

some poor little kid that fell into the river.

One day my LPO, Mr. Morton, asked if I wanted a job. I, of

course, said yes because if you said no, he would find some

dirty, filthy project to keep you busy. He told me to get a scuba

rig and a helo would be landing in the water next to the diving

barge soon. An HH-3 Jolly Green soon set down at hover

in the water and my dive partner and I swam out to it and

climbed aboard. We were tasked with getting in the water in a

“package”, a Model 147 Lightning Bug drone floating about 5

miles offshore in the South China Sea. It looked like a winged

missile and was surrounded by other helos. A green dye

marker was in the water and parachutes were attached to the

“package”. As we hovered about twenty feet over our objective

the crew chief motioned for me to “GO!”. Go? Whaddaya

mean go? I was not trained to leap out of helicopters and was

August 1, 2020 - Fairmont, Minnesota | 19


very unsure of a good procedure. So out I went. Head first.

Very bad idea. I hit the water and my regulator flew out of

my mouth. My mask went down to my neck and one flipper

went somewhere else. I had made a fool of myself and was

about to drown. If you have not tried to tread water under

a helo, it is nearly impossible. The downwash pressure on

you is tremendous. We got the “package” hooked up as an

external load and all ended well. But “Boss, I need a new set

of fins”, didn’t set well.

During the same year, my older brother, 1st Lt. N.H. Rackley

USMC, was stationed a few miles down the road at Marble

Mountain Marine Helicopter Base. He was an H-53 driver for

HMH-463. Occasionally, I would sneak away from my duties

and hitch a ride down for a visit. On several occasions he was

able to direct me to the fuel pit as he prepared for his missions.

I would climb aboard the helo and was never questioned by

ground personnel. Of course not. I was in Navy camo and all

these Marines assumed I was a revered Corpsman so not to be

trifled with. I’d get to spend the day watching ROK troops get

on and off, watch external loads swinging beneath us, landing

at firebases, and blowing the roofs off of everything close by.

At one firebase I exited the helo to relieve myself. To my

distress, brother Harrison had poured on the collective and

left me behind. There I was, a weaponless Navy squid at an

Army firebase. Only trouble could follow for both Rackleys.

Fortunately the crew chief made him aware and he returned

to pick me up. And no, he was not happy as I recall.

I, as a REMF, have unlimited respect for the guys who did the

work over there. Over 58,000 young men, and women as well

never got to see their loved ones again. My words fail me as I

try to say what an honor it is to be amongst the ranks, albeit

at the rear of the men and women who served in the Vietnam

Theater of war. I feel honored to be counted among those

who fought communism in the paddies and jungles of The

Republic of Vietnam.

-Jon Rackley, 2020

Upper Midwest Chapter

VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION

Our chapter is a Veterans Organization for Vietnam

Helicopter Pilots living in the Minnesota, Wisconsin,

and Iowa area of the upper midwest. We currently have

approximately fifty members and we meet every other

month in the Twin Cities area.

The purpose of our organization:

1. To enhance the comradeship, esprit de corps

and friendship of pilots who flew helicopters in

southeast Asia during the Vietnam era and residing

in the upper midwest region of the United States.

2. To seek out and encourage those qualified to become

members.

3. To provide speakers for suitable memorial and

national celebrations in our geographical region.

Our facebook page can be found by typing @UMCVHPA

in your internet search engine. Any prospective members

may contact us there.

Last August we were part of the China Beach event

sponsorship by Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans of America

held in Trimbelle, Wisconsin. We arranged for the towed

UH-1 “Huey” to be on hand. The photo shows our

members that attended.

On Veterans’ Day we took part in the New Richmond,

Wisconsin Middle School’s patriotic event. The towed

Huey was on hand for the students to tour and we had

a couple representatives there to explain the role of the

helicopter in Vietnam.

20 | Martin County Veterans Memorial - Cobra Helicopter Dedication


May we always remember their sacrifice.

The Martin County Veterans’ Memorial Committee had a vision of memorializing the names of those veterans that

had spent a part of their lives in Martin County. Members of the Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post 36 began

pursuing that goal in 2015 with their first meeting taking place in February of 2016. Original funding for this project

was derived from American Legion Post #36 and the Martin County Area Foundation. From that initial vision,

through the help of many volunteers, many donors, coupled with donated land, the project has come to fruition. The

memorial site includes the wall inscribed with the names of Martin County veterans, the Bell Cobra Rotary Wing

Attack Helicopter, benches for quiet contemplation, culminating in a serene location forever memorializing those

veterans that have served our country, ensuring and preserving our freedom. A Dedicated Section of the memorial

wall remembers those killed in action. They gave their life for freedom and the American way. From inception to

completion, the Martin County Veterans’ Memorial reflects the patriotism exhibited by those that served.

August 1, 2020 - Fairmont, Minnesota | 21


MEMORIAL DESIGN

A design committee was created over three years ago to develop a veterans

memorial concept. The following outline describes the concept and the

implementation of this design. This process is ongoing.

1. A red granite stone saying “Martin County Veterans Memorial.” This

large stone was done in red granite to symbolize the blood shed for our

country.

2. A granite wall was done in black to display veteran’s names, honor KIA’s,

POW’s, and MIA’s and thank our sponsors. The front wall is an inverted

V, symbolizing valor, is 80’ long and has our challenge coin engraved on

it. The west wall has our mission statement, branches of service, and all

donors over $200.

3. A 75’ American flag pole was erected in line with the center of the wall

and our red granite sign to honor our country. A semicircle of flags in

front of it represent our state, the five branches of service, and MIA’s and

POW’s. The flags and wall are all lighted at night.

4. A handicap ramp wall was installed, steps were made by the west wall and

the area sidewalks were poured.

5. The next phase to finish the front will be a granite bench, sitting on the

bench will be a middle age woman and standing next to her will be a small

child. In her lap she will be holding a trifold American flag. The flag will

be presented by American Legion and VFW figures. This completes the

front of the memorial and represents what we see at home.

The second part of the memorial is behind the granite wall and still needs to

be done.

1. Behind the memorial wall, we will build a four foot retaining wall. On the

east side of this wall, built in cement, there will be the outline of a ship’s

bow. Next to the ship outline will be a small patio with a statue of a Navy

seaman with a sea bag waiting to board a ship. At this patio, we will install

a ship’s bell so if any Navy veteran’s family decides to do a funeral service

here, they can ring the veteran out.

2. The helicopter was installed in the rear of the memorial, as to not distract

from the wall and to utilize the entire grounds. Emanating from the

helicopter will be five statues. A patrol, if you will. Each statue in period

gear will represent WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and present day Iraq

and Afghanistan. The patrol will be spread throughout the woods, heading

toward the wall. If, in the future, we are involved in other conflicts, more

statues can be added to the memorial.

3. A winding sidewalk will go through the patrol area and five benches will

be installed in various positions and each bench will represent a branch

of service. Each bench on the sidewalk, going from the helicopter to the

back of the wall, will give a different perspective of the grounds and an

opportunity to rest and reflect.

DESIGN COMMITTEE

Chuck Mixon, chair | Terry Anderson, mcvm chair

Bob Meschke, deceased | Ben Landsteiner, tech support

22 | Cobra Helicopter Dedication


AFTER EVENTS

MARTIN COUNTY ARENA

12PM TO 4PM

Veteran Resource Event - Many Vendors

TRUMAN FIRE DEPT. BEER GARDEN

1PM TO CLOSE

Entertainment By The Switch Road Band

7pm to 11pm

AREA FIRE DEPARTMENTS

12PM TO CLOSE

Equipment Demonstrations and Static Displays

ANTIQUE MILITARY VEHICLES

12PM TO CLOSE

Static Displays

FREE BOUNCE HOUSE

1PM TO 5PM

MARTIN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

1300 N BIXBY ROAD, FAIRMONT, MN 56031

AREA FOOD VENDORS

12PM TO CLOSE

HELICOPTER RIDES (HUMMING BIRD)

11AM TO 4PM

STOCK CAR RACES

7PM TO CLOSE

All Veterans Get in Free

PARADE COMMITTEE

American Legion Lee C Prentice Post 36

Steve Fosness | Jim Miller | Jim Hardt | Ken Ringeisen

Corey Walter | Bob Altman | Cory Germain

Doug Landsteiner | Devin & Hannah Haegeman

Ernie Nuss | Bob Katzenberger | Dave Alm

PARADE: 9:00 AM | CEREMONY: 10:30 AM

August 1, 2020 - Fairmont, Minnesota | 23


I Only Have Dog Tags

by a veteran

We went straight from high school to the war, young adult we would never be.

To leave family, home and friend to take up the fight.

To go where nobody wanted to go desert, jungle, river or sea.

To fight for the American Way & God and Country, for people who care less than you or me.

To be shipped to a foreign land; with spider, snake, lizard or sand.

To hold a gun both day and night and be ready to take a life to end that plight.

To see the piles of twisted metal that was once a plane, chopper, truck or boat and know your friend was in the fight.

To hear the sounds in the darkness of bug, lizard and the screams in the night.

To wonder where the sound of mortar, gun and grenade from the darkness did come.

To wait for mail or news from home or to be able to write free in hopes of a future found.

To see the tears of a friend’s family, when he took his life, from the Dear John Letter to his end.

To watch and see a teenager friend get his arm and legs blown off and know his future to depart.

To endure the rip of flesh from iron, fire and blast.

To return home to jeers, distrust and loneliness without loved one, friend or care at last.

To go to the class reunion to find you are alone as your classmate friends died for the cause and were forgotten by most all.

Were you the one who sent that Christmas package with dry socks and sweets?

To awake at night in sweat from the fight, that seemed realer than life?

To return a wounded Veteran who has lost loved one, family and friend

and all he has is his dog-tags in hand.

FAIRMONT

Designed by AdMfg, Inc

www.MCWM.org

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!