Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 64-13799
Date:
03/19/1967
Incident number: 67031999.KIA
Unit: 68 AHC
This was a
Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
for Air/land Assault
, Hot Area.
Unknown this helicopter was Landing at 0000 feet and 000
knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 1 hits from:
Explosive Weapon;
Non-Artillery launched or static weapons containing explosive charges.
(MINE)
The helicopter was hit in the Fuselage causing Fragmentation
Damage.
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = YES . .
The
helicopter made a Forced Landing. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight
capability were terminated.
Burned
Original source(s) and document(s) from
which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency
Helicopter Loss database. Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis
Center Helicopter database. Also: OPERA, UH1P2, 72365 (Operations Report.
)
Loss to Inventory
Crew Members:
AC WO1 BARTON JAMES PAUL KIA
68th
Memory Page
CE SP4
SHEFFIELD JOHN NOBLE KIA
G SP4 WASHBURN JOHNNY LEE KIA
War Story:
Unit was the 68 Assault Hel Co although on the operation in which the ship
was lost was a joint operation with another helicopter unit -I believe it was
the 118 Ass Hel Co and because they were 1 slick short due to a last minute
mechanical failure to a 118th slick WO Barton's ship was filling in.As the CA
lift was in a hot LZ and the aircraft were either just dropping off the troops
or were about to exit the LZ a command detonated mine was set off, other
aircraft were also involved, but the extent of damage. John E Frasso,
fraz@bwkip.com
This record was last updated on 12/01/1900
Additional Information
source http://www.flyarmy.org/K10108.HTM
Name: WO1 James Paul Barton
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 03/19/1967 while performing the
duty of Aircraft Commander.
Age at death: 24.0
Date of Birth: 04/01/1943
Home City: Bates City, MO
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 68 AVN
Major organization: other
Flight class: 66-15R
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 16E-109
Short Summary: When about to exit the LZ, a command detonated mine was set off.
Aircraft: UH-1D tail number 64-13799
Call sign: Black Bart
Service number: W3154304
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 062B = Helicopter Pilot, Utility and Light Cargo Single Rotor
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Started Tour: 11/12/1966
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 06
Location: Tay Ninh Province III Corps.
Additional information about this casualty:
Since the AC usually assigned to my helicopter was an instructor pilot and
the units in country check out pilot [the one who took newly assigned pilots
through orientation and emegency landing procedures] I was the first CE in
country to fly with Black Bart. Having been on many check-out rides with other
new pilots I knew when a pilot was good this one was ' born to fly'. I would
have flown to hell with Barton and I told him so.I'm sure SOP was the same in
your unit where air crews picked each other as a GOOD CE picked a GOOD GUNNER
andwere in turn picked by GOOD PILOTS. No one wanted to fly with someone who
didn't have their 'shit together'. I spread the word around quick that Black
Bart had ' his shit together'. I transfered to the 'Mustang' gunship platoon
shortly after he came into our unit, but I did get to fly with him his first few
CA's as my AC also knew Barton was GOOD.He must have been recognized for his
skills he made AC his 3 rd month in the unit. When this incident took place in
march of the following year the unit had lost some of the really good guys.I
have been in contact with Bartons son [3 years old at the time of his death] He
got my name from the Friends of the VN Memorial and wrote to me.The son is now a
lawyer MO. I sent the son all the tracings I had made of his dads name on the
wall.I try to go see the wall at least twice a year, I thought the son would
like to know that at least someone knew and liked his dad, thought enough of him
to make the tracings.With the tracings I sent a long letter about the incident
and what I and the rest of the unit felt about his dad. Maybe I got to involved,
too emotional in my letter- his son never wrote me back, but everyone handles
their grief in their own way. John E Frasso, fraz@bwkip.com
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Religion: Protestant - no denominational preference
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel:
active duty Army Military class: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 12/01/1900
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
Please send additions or corrections to: The VHPA Webmaster Gary Roush.
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Date posted on this site: 10/18/2005
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