by Matt Jackson
“Death Dagger Three-One, sounds good.”
“Roger, Chicken-man Six, good luck. Out.” And Death Dagger went silent.
After another four minutes, Cory called Major Adams. “Six, turn right ninety degrees on my mark and the firebase will be on your nose at two klicks,” Cory indicated.
“Roger” was the only response as Major Adams and Captain Curran waited for Cory to give the final turn.
After two minutes, Cory said, “Six, on my mark.” He paused. “Execute!” Chicken-man Six made an immediate hard bank ninety degrees to his right. The hilltop filled his windshield as he was only two klicks from the hill. Moving at ninety knots airspeed, he would be there in one minute. Three-quarters of the way up the hill, Chicken-man Six commenced his deceleration, not wanting to come over the hilltop so fast that he would overfly and have to turn around and come back.
“Death Dagger is engaging” was heard on the UHF radio as four rockets leaped from each of the low birds into the hillside on both sides of Chicken-man Six. Small green streaks could be seen approaching all three aircraft, along with blinding flashes of light from impacting 2.75-inch nineteen-pound rockets on the hillside below the firebase. The green streaks were answered by red streams pouring from the approaching gunships’ miniguns.
As Chicken-man Six crested the hilltop, he initiated a rapid deceleration right over the berm surrounding the firebase and landed in front of an American advisor holding an orange panel. Beside him was another American soldier lying on a stretcher. There were three bodies wrapped in ponchos beside the stretcher. Turning to his right, Major Adams observed the remains of a Huey that had crashed and burned the day before. Four ARVN soldiers surrounded the stretcher and ponchos, ready to load them as soon as the aircraft touched down. Death Dagger’s two low AH-1G gunships thundered past and entered into steep power climbs, clawing for altitude and turning to get behind Chicken-man.
“Chicken-man Six is down,” Captain Curran stated.
“Chicken-man Six, are you okay?” Cory asked, misunderstanding the term down.
“Roger, we got a few holes added but we’re good,” Captain Curran said. Momentarily, he came back on the radio. “Resupply is off and we’re loaded. Coming out.” Evidently Major Adams was flying and concentrating on getting out of there before mortar rounds started impacting. He was leaving the conversations up to Captain Curran.
“Death Dagger commencing second run.” All four gunships were at altitude now and began their dives from one thousand feet, with two aircraft on each side of Chicken-man Six. Firing in ripple mode, all the rockets in each of the sixteen nineteen-round pods fired in rapid order with the press of the trigger. As the aircraft began expending rockets on the departure route, the side of the hill began to rupture as each rocket was the equivalent of a 105-millimeter artillery round. Twin miniguns on each aircraft spat out a stream of red tracers, hosing down the jungle between the impacting rockets and the front of Chicken-man Six.
Because of radio antennas, bunkers, perimeter berm and wire, a combat takeoff couldn’t be executed, so Chicken-man Six had to come to a hover before he could depart. As he increased his speed, but not his altitude, towards the impacting rockets, the entire perimeter around the firebase lit up like a Christmas tree with green tracers and white flashes, all directed at Chicken-man Six. The ARVN soldiers on the perimeter were engaging the tree line in an attempt to suppress the fire directed towards Chicken-man Six, but it was ineffective. There were just too many positions for Death Dagger to hit them all.
From two thousand feet, Cory could do nothing but watch the scene unfold, and he knew it wasn’t going well. It all appeared in slow motion: Chicken-man Six coming to a hover, moving to take off, a hail of green concentrating on the aircraft, then the flash of an RPG as he cleared the perimeter of the firebase and the explosion on the side of the aircraft. He kept moving forward and gaining speed, but the shower of green tracers continued to follow the aircraft as it cleared the firebase and flew down the side of the hill.
“Damn, he’s going to make it. He’s still flying,” Cory shouted to everyone and no one.
“Chicken-man Six , going down, on fire,” was heard on the UHF radio a moment later in a calm, matter-of-fact voice. It was Major Adams.
“One-Niner is coming down to get you.” Cory took the controls from Ben and executed a fifteen-hundred foot per minute diving turn towards Chicken-man Six. He’s going to make it, Cory was thinking as he watched Chicken-man Six start to execute a deceleration over a small clearing.
In a blinding flash, all hope vanished, however. Chicken-man Six exploded over that small beckoning clearing. The tail boom separated and the rotor blades dug into the ground as they came apart, throwing what was left of the transmission in one direction while throwing the aircraft cabin on its back and driving it into the ground.
As Cory made a fast pass over the clearing, he could see the remains of the aircraft upside down, the nose and cockpit area smashed. No one was seen. Cory was sure no one could have survived that explosion and crash. He had witnessed this scene enough times in Lam Son 719 to know the outcome. A quick pass over the remains confirmed his observation and his decision. It was time to go home when this tour was finished.
Chapter 39
On Wings of Eagles
As the pilots and crews returned to Camp Holloway that evening, they were instructed to go to the mess hall. Cold beer and dinner had been laid out. The usual banter between pilots was heard, and some of it extended to the crew chiefs and gunners, who could dish it out as well as anyone, sometimes much better than the officers. Noticeably absent were the platoon leaders, CO, XO and Ops officer as well as the first sergeant. Finally, the platoon leaders entered, followed by the XO and first sergeant.
“Okay, let me have your attention,” the XO announced. He did not look happy. Captain Trejillo had been in the unit since the move to Camp Holloway, and as XO he didn’t get to fly much but was noted as being a good pilot. He was easy to like and was generally respected.
Once everyone settled down, he continued, “This morning, Major Adams and Captain Curran flew up to Firebase Five.” On that note, everyone immediately suspected what was coming next. “Major Adams’s intent was to retrieve the bodies of those shot down yesterday and bring out the wounded crew chief.” He paused and looked upward at the ceiling. “They landed on the firebase and retrieved everyone. However, on the way out, the aircraft took fire and exploded just off the firebase. Everyone was killed.”
He paused again, trying to maintain his composure. “This was a selfless act carried out by a brave crew wanting to do what was right for our people. We leave no one behind—no one—and that was Major Adams’s intent. Major Adams didn’t hold out much hope for the success of this mission, but he knew he had to try. He wouldn’t send one of you to do this mission, but he selected himself for this mission. He didn’t need this mission to prove anything to anyone. He had two Silver Stars, four Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Bronze Stars for valor. He wasn’t trying to be a hero, but he believed you don’t send others to do a job that you wouldn’t do. Let us bow our heads and each in your own way…”
He didn’t finish, but he didn’t need to. Everyone lowered their heads. After a moment, the silence was broken by a lone voice.
“May they soar with the Angels on the wings of Eagles; may they watch over those they loved and those who loved them; may they rest in peace until we all stand together at the final formation. Amen.”
Epilogue
For the actions of that day, Major William Adams was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Captain John Curran received the Distinguished Service Cross. First Lieutenant Brian Thacker also received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions on Firebase Six. It was reported that after the crash, the ARVN soldiers had moved to the crash site to look for survivors. Truth be told, they had not. It was sometime later that the crew’s bodies were recovered.
Chicken-man continued to op
erate in the area, flying missions, taking fire and losing aircraft, but no other crew members were killed. Finally, orders were received for redeployment back to the United States. Those personnel that had not completed their required time in Vietnam were transferred to other assignments, some to aviation units. Dorsey got his wish and was transferred to an infantry assignment. Some found themselves in totally different kinds of units but also working in totally different job assignments, often assignments for which they had no formal training. Such was the confusion as the US attempted to depart from Vietnam and leave the war to the Vietnamese people, who really didn’t care who ran the government so long as it left them alone.
Chicken-man had arrived in Vietnam in 1965. It was time for Chicken-man to go home. On February 21, 1972, with all the aircraft refueled and ready to depart for the coast to be placed on ships or turned over to the Vietnamese Army, the decision was made to make a low-level flyby down the runway of Camp Holloway. In trail formation, the flight of twenty-one helicopters raced down the runway at ninety knots and about one hundred feet of altitude. At the end of the runway, the flight leader made a sharp turn, with each aircraft executing the same maneuver until Chalk Four entered the turn. His nose pitched up, and his tail pitched down and hit the ground, throwing the aircraft out of control when it slammed into a concrete telephone pole and crashed. No one was killed, but everyone experienced broken bones and was medevaced to hospitals. It was a sad way for a unit with such an outstanding record accumulated over a seven-year period to end its time.
The unit still lives today, serving in the First Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. No longer a lift company, it is now an attack helicopter company with the AH-64 attack helicopter, the Apache. The unit has carried on the traditions and reputation of Chicken-man, having served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm as well as Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Most of the pilots are young warrant officers, both male and female.
CITATION: MEDAL OF HONOR
MAJOR WILLIAM EDWARD ADAMS
Department of the Army
General Order No. 38 (September 6, 1974)
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Major William Edward Adams, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with A/227 Assault Helicopter Company, 52d Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade in action against enemy aggressor force at Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 25 May 1971. On that date, Major Adams volunteered to fly a lightly armed helicopter in an attempt to evacuate three seriously wounded soldiers from a small fire base which was under attack by a large enemy force. He made the decision with full knowledge that numerous anti-aircraft weapons were positioned around the base and that the clear weather would afford the enemy gunners unobstructed view of all routes into the base. As he approached the base, the enemy gunners opened fire with heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. Undaunted by the fusillade, he continued his approach determined to accomplish the mission. Displaying tremendous courage under fire, he calmly directed the attacks of supporting gunshots while maintaining absolute control of the helicopter he was flying. He landed the aircraft at the fire base despite the ever-increasing enemy fire and calmly waited until the wounded soldiers were placed on board. As his aircraft departed from the fire base, it was struck and seriously damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire and began descending. Flying with exceptional skill, he immediately regained control of the crippled aircraft and attempted a controlled landing. Despite his valiant efforts, the helicopter exploded, overturned and plummeted to earth amid the hail of enemy fire. Major Adams’s conspicuous gallantry, intrepidity, and humanitarian regard for his fellow man were in keeping with the most cherished tradition of the military service and reflected utmost credit on him and the United States Army.
CITATION: MEDAL OF HONOR
FIRST LIEUTENANT BRIAN MILES THACKER
Department of the Army
General Order No. 42 (November 5, 1973)
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Brian Miles Thacker, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 1st Battalion, 92d Artillery, in action against enemy aggressors in Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 31 March 1971. First Lieutenant Thacker, Field Artillery, Battery A, distinguished himself while serving as the team leader of an Integrated Observation System collocated with elements of two Army of the Republic of Vietnam units at fire base 6. A numerically superior North Vietnamese Army force launched a well-planned, dawn attack on the small, isolated, hilltop fire base. Employing rockets, grenades, flamethrowers, and automatic weapons, the enemy forces penetrated the perimeter defenses and engaged the defenders in hand to hand combat. Throughout the morning and early afternoon, First Lieutenant Thacker rallied and encouraged the US and Republic of Vietnam soldiers in heroic efforts to repulse the enemy. He occupied a dangerously exposed observation position for a period of four hours while directing friendly air strikes and artillery fire against the assaulting enemy forces. His personal bravery and inspired leadership enabled the outnumbered friendly forces to inflict a maximum of casualties on the attacking enemy forces and prevented the base from being overrun. By late afternoon, the situation had become untenable. First Lieutenant Thacker organized and directed the withdrawal of the remaining friendly forces. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he remained inside the perimeter alone to provide covering fire with his M16 rifle until all other friendly forces had escaped from the besieged fire base. Then, in an act of supplemental courage, he called for friendly artillery fire on his own position to allow his comrades more time to withdraw safely from the area and at the same time, inflict greater casualties on the enemy forces. Although wounded and unable to escape from the area himself, he successfully eluded the enemy forces for eight days until friendly forces regained control of the fire base. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by First Lieutenant Thacker were an inspiration to his comrades and are in the highest traditions of the military service.
Glossary
AC. Aircraft commander; also alternating electrical current.
ADA. Air-defense artillery.
ADC. Assistant Division Commander.
AIT. Advanced Individual Training. The next phase of training for a soldier after basic training focusing on the specific military occupational specialty for that individual.
ARA. Aerial Rocket Artillery, commonly referred to as Blue Max.
ARVN. Army of the Republic of Vietnam.
BC. Battalion commander.
CO. Commanding officer.
CONEX. A metal shipping container made of corrugated metal and measuring 8.5 feet long, 6.3 feet wide and 6.9 feet high, capable of holding 9,000 pounds of material.
Contour flight. The aircraft maintains a constant high speed and follows the folds of the terrain at treetop or lower level.
C-rations. Canned food that could be eaten cold or hot, used by the military from World War II until the late 1970s or early 1980s.
C-7 Caribou. A twin-engine aircraft capable of short-field takeoffs and landings used by the Army in the mid-1960s. The aircraft was turned over to the US Air Force in the late 1960s.
CWO. Chief warrant officer.
C&C. Command-and-control aircraft.
DC. Direct electrical current.
Det cord. White cord approximately 1/4 inch around that is highly explosive and used to quickly cut trees or blow up other objects.
DEROS. Date of Expected Rotation from Overseas.
FAC. Forward Air Controller. Generally a US Air Force aircraft capable of coordinating air strikes between the ground commander and the Air Force aircraft dropping
the ordnance.
FM. Frequency Modulating radio. Primarily used for ground communications and air-to-ground contact. Operates in the 88 to 108 megahertz range.
FSO. Fire Support Officer. Individual who coordinates artillery fire and close air support.
Flechette rockets. 2.75-inch folding fin rockets fired by the gunships. Rather than causing an explosion, the rocket had approximately 2,200 needle-shaped darts that would be released once fired. This is an antipersonnel weapon used on troops with no overhead cover.
GCA. Ground control approach, a technique used for landing aircraft, with a ground controller watching an approaching aircraft on radar and giving the pilots information as to runway alignment and altitude.
GP. General Purpose.
Grid. One-kilometer squares are noted on military maps, commonly referred to as a grid.
IP. Instructor pilot. Also initial point, a location on the ground that is used as a checkpoint in an air assault operation. Usually associated with a time in the operation.
Klick. Measurement of distance used by the military, consisting of 1,000 meters (one kilometer).
LZ. Landing zone, the designated location for the insertion of troops. Once an established firebase is present, it is named with the prefix LZ.
Low-level flight. Constant airspeed with constant altitude above treetop level.
MP. Military police.
Medevac. Medical evacuation.
Mikes. Military term for minutes.
NCO. Noncommissioned officer, those enlisted personnel in the military with a rank between E5 and E9; commonly referred to as sergeants in the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force and chief in the Navy
NCOIC. Non Commissioned Officer in Charge
NVA. North Vietnamese Army.
OIC. Officer in Charge.