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|title=Lieutenant Jack C. Rittichier, USCG
|title=Lieutenant Jack C. Rittichier, USCG
|work=United States Coast Guard website}}</ref>.1LT Schmidt remains MIA presumed dead.
|work=United States Coast Guard website}}</ref>.1LT Schmidt remains MIA presumed dead.
*5 October 1968, ''Jolly Green 10'', HH-3E Tail No 65-12782 and another Jolly Green were scrambled to extract a Special Forces reconnaissance team callsign ''Carrot Top'' in Laos. The first JG went in under heavy ground fire, received damage to its fuel lines and had to abort the mission and return to the base. ''JG10'' was shot down about 500m from the pick up point. The Pararescueman was able to pull the Pilot from the burning helicopter, but before he could return the JG10 exploded, killing the Copilot Albert D. Wester<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thewall-usa.com/info.asp?recid=55436
|title=MAJ Albert D Wester
|work=The Virtual Wall}}</ref> and the Flight Engineer Gregory P. Lawrence<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thewall-usa.com/info.asp?recid=29839
|title=SGT Gregory P Lawrence
|work=The Virtual Wall}}</ref> who were trapped inside. Another Jolly Green was sent out to rescue the Special Forces team and the 2 survivors from ''JG10''.


==Lineage==
==Lineage==

Revision as of 08:26, 14 February 2010

Template:New unreviewed article

38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron
ActiveFebruary 1967 - November 1972
LandVereinigte Staaten
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypSquadron
RoleRescue & Recovery
Part of3d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group
Nickname(s)Jolly Green
EngagementsVietnam War

37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (37th ARRS) was a helicopter rescue squadron of the USAF.

History

On 2 February 1967, Detachment 1 38th ARRS operating HH-3s at Danang Air Base was redesignated the 37th ARRS[1].

The 37th ARRS remained at Danang until it was deactivated on 30 November 1972[2].

Operations and losses

  • 6 February 1967, Jolly Green 05, HH-3E BuNo 65-12779 had rescued CAPT Lucius L. Heiskell[3] pilot of Nail 65 an O-1F FAC when it was hit by ground fire and crashed near the Mu Gia Pass, North Vietnam. Heiskell, the pilot, copilot and flight engineer were KIA-BNR[4][5][6], while the pararescueman Duane D. Hackney survived the crash and was rescued by Jolly Green 36.
  • 16 February 1967, Jolly Green 56 took off to rescue the pilot of Dusty 71 an F-100 shot down over Laos. The helicopter received ground fire and the pilot CAPT Angelo Pullara[7], was hit and killed. The helicopter returned safely to Saravane, Laos. The Dusty 71 pilot was rescued by Jolly Green 37
  • 9 November 1967, Jolly Green 26, HH-3E Tail No 66-13279 and Jolly Green 29 were scrambled to extract the 5 surviving members of a Special Forces reconnaissance team that had suffered heavy casualties in Laos. JG29 successfully extracted 3 indigenous team members before being hit by ground fire, it departed and made an emergency landing at Khe Sanh. JG26 extracted Special Forces SP4 Joseph G. Kusick and MSGT Bruce R. Baxter, both wounded, but JG26 was then hit by ground fire, crashed and burst into flames. A recovery team was inserted into the area and reached the crash site, but due to fading light, it was impossible to inspect the wreckage at that time. On the morning of 10 November, the pilot CAPT Gerald O. Young was rescued after evading capture for some 17 hours after the crash. Later that morning the wreckage was searched and the charred remains of SP4 Kusick[8] were recovered. The Copilot CAPT Ralph Brower[9], the Flight Engineer SSGT Eugene L Clay[10], the Pararescueman SGT Larry W Maysey[11] and MSGT Bruce Baxter[12] were all KIA-BNR. CAPT Gerald Young was awarded the Medal of Honor[13][14].
  • 9 June 1968, Jolly Green 23 HH-3E Tail No 67-14710 was on CSAR for 1LT Walter R. Schmidt[15] pilot of Hellborne 215 a USMC A-4C shot down over the A Shau Valley. Voice contact was established with 1LT Schmidt, who reported he possibly had a broken arm and leg. Several attempts at pickup were made by the lead helicopter, Jolly Green 22, but it was driven off by intense ground fire. After suppressive fire was put in, JG23 moved in to attempt the pickup, JG23 reported taking hits and then caught fire. The pilot attempted to land in a small clearing, but the helicopter exploded when it hit the ground and burned intensely. There were no indications anyone survived the crash. Pilot Lt Jack Rittichier[16], Co-Pilot CAPT Richard C. Yeend[17], Flight Engineer SSGT Elmer L. Holden[18] and Pararescueman James D. Locker[19] were all KIA-BNR. The remains of the crew were returned and identified in September 2003[20].1LT Schmidt remains MIA presumed dead.
  • 5 October 1968, Jolly Green 10, HH-3E Tail No 65-12782 and another Jolly Green were scrambled to extract a Special Forces reconnaissance team callsign Carrot Top in Laos. The first JG went in under heavy ground fire, received damage to its fuel lines and had to abort the mission and return to the base. JG10 was shot down about 500m from the pick up point. The Pararescueman was able to pull the Pilot from the burning helicopter, but before he could return the JG10 exploded, killing the Copilot Albert D. Wester[21] and the Flight Engineer Gregory P. Lawrence[22] who were trapped inside. Another Jolly Green was sent out to rescue the Special Forces team and the 2 survivors from JG10.

Lineage

Detachment 1 38th ARRS

Assignments

Bases stationed

Aircraft Operated

References

  1. ^ LaPointe, Robert (2001). PJs in Vietnam. Northern PJ Press. p. 274. ISBN 9780970867100.
  2. ^ LaPointe, p. 274
  3. ^ "MAJ Lucius L Heiskell". The Virtual Wall.
  4. ^ "COL Patrick H Wood". The Virtual Wall.
  5. ^ "COL Richard A Kibbey". The Virtual Wall.
  6. ^ "CMS Donald J Hall". The Virtual Wall.
  7. ^ "CAPT Angelo Pullara". The Virtual Wall.
  8. ^ "SGT Joseph G Kusick". The Virtual Wall.
  9. ^ "CAPT Ralph W Brower". The Virtual Wall.
  10. ^ "SSGT Eugene L Clay". The Virtual Wall.
  11. ^ "SGT Larry W Maysey". The Virtual Wall.
  12. ^ "MSGT Bruce R Baxter". The Virtual Wall.
  13. ^ "Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipients". Medal of Honor Citations. U.S. Army Center of Military History. October 3, 2003. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  14. ^ LaPointe, p. 364-372
  15. ^ "CAPT Walter R Schmidt". The Virtual Wall.
  16. ^ "LT Jack C Rittichier". The Virtual Wall.
  17. ^ "CAPT Richard C Yeend". The Virtual Wall.
  18. ^ "SSGT Elmer L Holden". The Virtual Wall.
  19. ^ "SGT James D Locker". The Virtual Wall.
  20. ^ "Lieutenant Jack C. Rittichier, USCG". United States Coast Guard website.
  21. ^ "MAJ Albert D Wester". The Virtual Wall.
  22. ^ "SGT Gregory P Lawrence". The Virtual Wall.
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