Relentless Courage: The Final Stand of SP4 Douglas E. Gossage in Vietnam

On September 26, 1968, SP4 Douglas E. Gossage, serving as a gunner on a U.S. Army OH-6A helicopter (tail number 67-16079) from Troop C, First Squadron, Ninth Cavalry Regiment, First Cavalry Division (Airmobile), was killed in action during a mission in Quang Tri Province (I Corps), Vietnam. Alongside pilot WO1 John C. Wallace and observer SSGT John W. States, Gossage's helicopter was shot down while supporting Company E, 1st ARVN Ranger Division (Lobes Echo), which was under heavy enemy fire from a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army (NVA) force.

As the crew approached the battle area, they quickly identified an enemy 12.7 mm heavy machine gun positioned in a fortified bunker. Gossage, tasked with marking enemy positions, helped pinpoint the threat for the accompanying AH-1G attack helicopter ("Snake"). However, due to the close proximity of friendly forces, the AH-1G was unable to fire. With no time to spare and the enemy force pressing in, WO1 Wallace made a daring pass, with Gossage providing suppressive fire from his M-60 machine gun. They successfully destroyed the machine gun position, but two additional NVA positions guarding their regimental command post opened fire, hitting the helicopter and forcing it to crash on the destroyed gun position.

Despite the crash, Gossage remained at his post in the wrecked helicopter. Armed with his M-60, he continued to engage the advancing NVA forces. Witnesses from the ARVN Rangers reported hearing the relentless sound of Gossage’s machine gun fire even as the NVA intensified their attack. His courage and determination in the face of overwhelming odds were evident as he held his position, keeping the enemy at bay.

Tragically, the battle ended when an NVA RPG-7 rocket struck the downed helicopter, silencing Gossage's gun. By the time the recovery operation was completed, 12 NVA bodies were found in and around the wreckage, a testament to Gossage's tenacity and skill in combat. Though heavily outnumbered and in a dire situation, Gossage fought to the very end, exemplifying exceptional bravery and dedication to his comrades.

Painting (OH-6 Hughes in Vietnam by Joe Kline)