ANNUAL SUPPLEMENT

HISTORY OF THE

57th Aviation Company (AH)

17th Aviation Group (Combat)

1st Aviation Brigade

 

 

 

1 January 1973 – 9 March 1973

 

 

Prepared by

CW2 Daniel G. Swan

WO1 Steve D. Bortnyk

Unit Historical Officers

 

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

 

 

 

Monty B. Price

MAJ, IN

Commanding

 

 

 

Camp Holloway, Pleiku, Republic of Vietnam

APO 96318

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

   I.                        Foreword

 

II.                        Heraldry

 

III.                        Command and Control

 

IV.                        Organization and Mission

 

   V.                        Unit Operations

 

VI.                        Statistical Summary

 

VII.                        Awards and Decorations

 

I.               FOREWORD

 

1973 opened with the promise of peace being close, but the reality of war was still with the 57th Aviation Company (Aslt Hel).  Daily combat missions continued.  Then on 28 January peace in Vietnam was signed into a treaty.  All of February saw the Gladiators continuing unarmed support missions while transferring equipment and aircraft to the South Vietnamese.  The combat proven Gladiators were the last Army aviation elements to leave the Central Highlands over which they had flown and fought for five years.  Memories of gallant comrades and valorous deeds will forever be a part of those who served with the proud 57th Aviation Company (Aslt Hel).

II.           HERALDRY

 

 

 

LINE DRAWING OF 57TH CREST

Text Box:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   The “Gladiator” crest represents the symbolic dedication to duty and skill that the famed Gladiators of ancient Rome exhibited.  The contrast exhibited in the “Gladiator” crest is represented by the sword which is wielded by the Gladiator of ancient Rome, and the winged bird he brandished upon his shield.  The Gladiator of old was the backbone of the greatest army ever seen in ancient history.  The “Gladiator” of today tries to emulate his predecessor.  The weapon he employs are the wings of Army Aviation, the ideals and high standards are as applicable to the “Gladiators” of today as they were to those of yesterday.  The true spirit of the Gladiator is carried on by the flying warriors of today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

III.      COMMAND AND CONTROL

 

 

 

Maj. Monty B. Price

1 Jan 73 – 9 Mar 73

 

 

 

IV.           ORGANIZATION AND MISSION

 

 

January of 1973, prior to the signing of the cease-fire on the 28th, the 57th Aviation Company (AH) utilized 25 UH-1H and seven AH-1G aircraft.  The company consisted of two lift platoons, one gun platoon, one service platoon, and a headquarters platoon. 

 

Soon after the cease-fire, company strength was reduced considerably by the disbanding of the “Cougar” gun platoon.  The unit then continued to reduce in personnel strength proportionate to the withdrawal of U.S. forces in Vietnam.  With the arrival of the unit’s final day, 9 Mar 73, personnel strength was at 30 officers and men who would leave Camp Holloway and start their return trip home together.

 

     In the little over two months the unit flew in 1973, they were the only aviation assets to provide daily support to the four Western Provinces of II Corps.  Throughout this period the “Gladiators” provided support for:

 

a.         Commanding General of II Corps, Headquarters and Staff

b.         Ranger Command

c.         Senior advisors for Pleiku, Kontum, Darloc, and Phubon provinces

d.         Commanding General, Headquarters and Staff for the 23d ARVN Division

e.         Second Regional Assistance Command Staff

 

The 57th also utilized an effective UH-1H “Nighthawk” gunship equipped with two 7.62 miniguns and a Xenon searchlight for perimeter defense and night rescue operations in the Pleiku area.

V.               UNIT OPERATIONS

 

 

The Gladiators of the 57th Aviation Company (Aslt Hel) welcomed the new year at Camp Holloway, Pleiku, Republic of Vietnam.  From Camp Holloway the unit flew daily support missions for Kontum, Pleiku, Darlock, and Phubon provinces.  The company flew resupply, command and control, visual reconnaissance, and armed helicopter escort missions throughout the four supported provinces.

 

     Everything went well for the 57th starting at the very beginning of the new year with renewed talk of a cease fire throughout Vietnam.  Enemy activity was light throughout the month of January and only four aircraft received minor damage from enemy fire.  Fortunately there no injuries on any of the aircraft.

 

     All was going well for the 57th until near the end of the month, on 25 January, one UH-1H crashed three miles West of Pleiku returning from a visual reconnaissance in support of the Second Regional Assistance Command.  The pilot and door gunner received serious injuries and were medevaced to hospitals in the United States.

 

     This was to be the last serious incident to affect the 57th due to the signing of the long awaited cease-fire on 28 January 1973.  The day everyone hoped would come had finally arrived and the 57th immediately began preparations to disband the unit.

 

     With the coming of the February, mission commitment decreased, but support was still being provided for the four provinces’ senior advisors and the Second Regional Assistance Command.  Visual reconnaissance and resupply were the main missions being performed by the Gladiators.  This support continued on through the first week of March.  The 57th was the last aviation unit to leave the Central Highlands.

 

     The 57th’s “Cougar” gun platoon ceased flying the day the cease-fire was signed as did the “Nighthawk” gunship.  The aircraft were disarmed and all preparations were made quickly for their final flight in the Republic of Vietnam.  On 4 February that flight was made to a Saigon turn in point where the aircraft would be prepared for shipment to the United States.

 

     Throughout the month of February and on into March, the personnel strength was reduced so as to arrive on 9 March with a total of 30 officers and men assigned to the company.

 

     With all preparations completed in all areas and all equipment either signed over to the South Vietnamese or shipped to the United States, a final inspection was made of Camp Holloway for suitability.  With this completed, the 57th Aviation Company (Aslt Hel) departed on the first leg of their long trip home.

 

     The “Combat Proven’ 57th, disbanded but not forgotten, leaves behind an impressive record in mission accomplishment.  A record which enables each man who served in the 57th Aviation Company (Aslt Hel) proud to say he was a “Gladiator.”

 

 

 

STATISTICAL SUMMARY

 

 

JANUARY

Number of hours flown:  UH-1H  911  AH-1G  143

Cargo carried in tons:  32 Sorties flown:  2148

Passengers carried:  4817  

Aircraft availability rate:  UH-1H  74%  AH-1G  67%

Ammunition expenditures:  40MM: 3830 7.62: 35,300 2.75: 481

Damage assessment:  No confirmed reports received.

 

FEBRUARY

Number of hours flown:  UH-1H  654  AH-1G  22

Cargo carried in tons:  21  Sorties flown:  1423

Passengers carried:  3747

Aircraft availability rate:  UH-1H  90%  AH-1G  94%

Ammunition expenditures: NONE

Damage assessment:  NONE

 

MARCH

Number of hours flown:  UH-1H  135  AH-1G  NONE

Cargo carried in tons:  12  Sorties flown:  205

Passengers carried:  702

Aircraft availability rate:  UH-1H  96%  AH-1G  NONE

Ammunition expenditures:  NONE

Damage assessment:  NONE

 

 

VI.           AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

 

NAME

RANK

AWARDS

PRICE MONTY

MAJ

BS-S

CHAMBERS EDWARD S JR

CPT

BS-S

CLAPPER JOHN W JR

CPT

BS-S

KURUZAR MICHAEL E

CPT

BS-S

LANGHAMMER HANS

CPT

BS-S

ORAHOOD JAMES A

CPT

BS-S

PETH STEPHEN

CPT

BS-S

ROGERS ROYAL P JR

CPT

BS-S

BAXTER WILLIAM

1LT

BS-S DFC

CARMICHAEL PAUL D

1LT

BS-S

DEAN ROBERT H

1LT

BS-S

EZELL MARSHALL

1LT

BS-S

HOLDEN LARRY J

1LT

BS-S

KILIAN BRUCE

1LT

BS-S

KNIGHT ODIOUS O

1LT

BS-S

MESSA DAVID T

1LT

BS-S

ROONEY MICHAEL T

1LT

BS-S

WINSOR MILTON G

1LT

BS-S

BRINSON CHRIS A

CW2

ARCOM

BUSBY BERNARD H

CW2

BS-S

CLOVER RICHARD

CW2

BS-S DFC

FARMER JOHN H

CW2

BS-S

GIEBNER ROBERT

CW2

BS-S

PARKER CHARLES

CW2

BS-S

SMITH STEPHEN P

CW2

BS-S

SWAIN JAMES G

CW2

BS-S

SWAN DANIEL G

CW2

BS-S

BORTNYK STEVE

WO1

BS-S

KING LLOYD JR

WO1

BS-S

KUPCHO THOMAS

WO1

BS-S

MCCUTCHEON JACK E

WO1

BS-S

OLSSON ERIC D

WO1

BS-S

PANCAKE MICHAEL A

WO1

BS-S

PLATT DANNY R

WO1

BS-S

PREVOST CHARLES

WO1

BS-S

RIGGAL MILES A

WO1

BS-S

RYAN MICHAEL P

WO1

BS-S

DANIEL LUTHER

SFC

BS-S

DRODDY GROVER

SFC

BS-S

JENNINGS DONALD V

SFC

BS-S

JORDAN CHARLES P

SFC

BS-S

REICHELT THEODORE J

SFC

BS-S

 

NAME

RANK

AWARDS

SMITH JAMES L

SFC

BS-S

WILSON DONALD W

SFC

BS-S

DRENCKPOHL DARRELL J

SSG

BS-S

EDWARDS JULIUS C

SSG

BS-S

FORD ALVIN J

SSG

BS-S

IDOL HERBERT W

SSG

BS-S

JOHNSON JAMES W

SSG

BS-S

QUASCHNICK DAN E

SSG

BS-S

STEWART RICHARD L

SSG

BS-S

TURNBOW JAMES L

SP6

BS-S

WIGGINS HARRY L

SSG

ARCOM

BRIDGES JAMES

SP5

ARCOM

BRIGGS JERRY W

SP5

ARCOM

BRYANT TEDDY

SP5

ARCOM

COOPER SAMUEL

SP5

ARCOM

DAVIDSON WALTER

SP5

ARCOM

DOZIER RUSSELL G.

SP5

ARCOM

DUBAR EARN R.

SP5

ARCOM

ENGRO DEWEY

SP5

ARCOM

FERNSTROM CARL

SP5

ARCOM

GONZALES JOHNNY

SP5

ARCOM

HALE JIMMY D

SP5

ARCOM

HARVISON WILLIAM

SP5

ARCOM

HAWKINS JUNIOR D

SP5

ARCOM

HEPLER EDWARD O.

SP5

ARCOM

JACKSON DALE

SP5

ARCOM

KOSTYK MICHAEL S

SP5

ARCOM

LISIEWSKI STANLEY

SP5

ARCOM

MANTANONA FRANCISCO

SP5

ARCOM

MATHAIS JAMES

SP5

ARCOM

MCGRAW STEPHEN

SP5

ARCOM

MEIER TERRY A.

SP5

ARCOM

MOLLAUN BERNARD

SP5

ARCOM

MOORE DANIEL L

SP5

ARCOM

MONTOYA GUILLERMO

SP5

ARCOM

PITTS JESSE R.

SP5

ARCOM

PORATH KEITH

SP5

ARCOM

PUIE JOHN A

SP5

ARCOM

SANDERS DANNY L

SP5

ARCOM

SCHWAB HERBERT G

SP5

ARCOM

THOMPSON ALLAN

SP5

ARCOM

THOMPSON CHARLES D

SP5

ARCOM

 

NAME

RANK

AWARDS

TUCKER JAMES R

SP5

ARCOM

VALDEZ ROGER F

SP5

ARCOM

VIERRA DAMIEN D

SP5

ARCOM

WALDRIP JOHNNY

SP5

ARCOM

WELLS WILLIAM M

SP5

ARCOM

WEST JESSE R

SP5

ARCOM

ANDERSON KENNETH D

SP4

ARCOM

ANDERSON LARRY M

SP4

ARCOM

BARRETT RALPH E

SP4

ARCOM

BAUER MICHAEL

SP4

ARCOM

BECHTOL DAVID C

SP4

ARCOM

BOWEN RICHARD

SP4

ARCOM

BROCKS RICKY L

SP4

ARCOM

BROWN WRITEFIELD

SP4

ARCOM

BRUMMETT ALVINL

SP4

ARCOM

BRYANT PAUL M

SP4

ARCOM

BYRDSONG WILLIE

SP4

ARCOM

CHRISWELL MICHAEL D

SP4

ARCOM

COHEN HENRY

SP4

ARCOM

CRAIG ROBERT G

SP4

ARCOM

CURRY RIGINALD C

SP4

ARCOM

DARNY BRUCE

SP4

ARCOM

DAVIS DAVID L

SP4

ARCOM

DIAZ ROBERTO E III

SP4

ARCOM

FAHEY PAUL JOSEPH

SP4

ARCOM

GOSS JON B

SP4

ARCOM

GRAY RICHARD T

SP4

ARCOM

GREGOR DALE

SP4

ARCOM

GRIBLING GORDON G JR

SP4

ARCOM

HICKMAN DANIEL L

SP4

ARCOM

HILLEBERT TEDDY R

SP4

ARCOM

HOPKINS ROBERT L

SP4

ARCOM

HOOD DANNY W

SP4

ARCOM

HOOVER DONALD R

SP4

ARCOM

HUGHES STEPHEN A

SP4

ARCOM

HULL WILLIAM B

SP4

ARCOM

JOHNSTON BOBBY G

SP4

ARCOM

KEITH THOMAS A

SP4

ARCOM

KLINGMAN DALE H

SP4

ARCOM

KOONCE CURTIS L

SP4

ARCOM

LAABS DAVID H

SP4

ARCOM

LAMBERT HAROLD

SP4

ARCOM

LAVERY MICHAEL A

SP4

ARCOM

 

NAME

RANK

AWARDS

LINENSCHMIDT CHARLES

SP4

ARCOM

LOPEZ FIDENCIO

SP4

ARCOM

MARKSTEINER ROBERT N

SP4

ARCOM

MASTELLER JOHN E

SP4

ARCOM

MCCRARY THOMAS

SP4

ARCOM

MEHRBRODT RICKY D

SP4

ARCOM

MERRITT GARY R

SP4

ARCOM

MILLER JAMES G

SP4

ARCOM

MOSLEY JACKIE R

SP4

ARCOM

NICHOLOSON LOUIS JR

SP4

ARCOM

O’BRIEN WALTER L

SP4

ARCOM

OSMUNDSON DENNIS

SP4

ARCOM

OWEN DEWAYNE J

SP4

ARCOM

PATTON WILLIAM M

SP4

ARCOM

PORTER JOHNNIE L

SP4

ARCOM

PRUITT ROBERT M

SP4

ARCOM

QUIGLEY GREGORY A

SP4

ARCOM

RAMNES HENRY JR

SP4

ARCOM

RICE WALTER E

SP4

ARCOM

ROHRBACHER JIMMIE

SP4

ARCOM

ROHWER TERRY A

SP4

ARCOM

ROSS JOHN W

SP4

ARCOM

SEARCY WILLIE O

SP4

ARCOM

SIMMONS GUY O

SP4

ARCOM

SMITH JEFFERY L

SP4

ARCOM

STANKEWICZ HENRY

SP4

ARCOM

STROUD DAVID H

SP4

ARCOM

TERRELL WILLIAM P

SP4

ARCOM

THOMAS HOWARD R

SP4

ARCOM

TOWERS TYRONE L

SP4

ARCOM

WASNER HANS F

SP4

ARCOM

WENGREN JON C

SP4

ARCOM

YOUNG DOUGLAS A

SP4

ARCOM

ZIEGLAR CHARLES R

SP4

ARCOM

CLARK CHARLES R

PFC

ARCOM

COTTON JAMES

PFC

ARCOM

EIDEN STEVE L

PFC

ARCOM

FRAINE CARL K

PFC

ARCOM

JAWALKA ROBERT M

PFC

ARCOM

KIMBALL BERNARD

PFC

ARCOM

LAWLER DAVID W

PFC

ARCOM

MILLER GARY M

PFC

ARCOM

STEWART LARRY

PFC

ARCOM

 

NAME

RANK

AWARDS

HENDERSON THOMAS E

PFC

ARCOM

BILLOPS ALLEN

PV2

ARCOM