The Last Mission of Captain Harry Whetzel

CAPT Harry T. Whetzel, WO1 Robert F. Chamberlain, SP5 Robert W. Gilliam, and SP4 Johnny L. Neal—tragically lost their lives during the mission. Two distinct summaries of the crash offer different perspectives on the events leading up to the incident.

The aircraft was conducting a firing mission, specifically targeting enemy positions. An eyewitness on the ground, who was in direct communication with the pilot, was helping to direct the aircraft’s firepower by pointing out enemy locations. According to the eyewitness, the aircraft unexpectedly pitched nose-up and appeared to lose control. After this sudden and erratic movement, the helicopter nosedived towards the ground, where it crashed and immediately burst into flames. At the time, it was unclear whether the loss of control was due to enemy fire or some other mechanical or operational failure, leaving the exact cause of the crash uncertain.

Another account of the incident offers a more specific scenario. According to this version, the gunship had been on an independent mission operating between Dong Ba Thin and Phan Rang. During the mission, the helicopter was actively engaging an enemy .50 caliber machine gun position. This enemy emplacement had a friendly unit pinned down, and the helicopter was attempting to neutralize the threat. In this version of the events, the gunship was reportedly shot down by the .50 caliber machine gun while in the process of defending the friendly forces. This account suggests that enemy fire was directly responsible for the crash, contrasting with the ambiguity of the first report.

Both accounts reflect the dangers faced during such missions, with one pointing toward the potential for technical failure or unknown causes and the other highlighting the lethal threat posed by enemy fire.

During the Vietnam War, a total of approximately 3,305 UH-1 "Huey" helicopters were lost. This includes losses due to both combat and operational accidents. The UH-1 Huey, which became an iconic symbol of the Vietnam War, played a crucial role in a variety of missions such as air assault, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), troop transport, and gunship operations.

Of the total number, around 1,074 UH-1s were lost in combat** due to enemy fire, while the rest were lost in non-combat-related incidents, including mechanical failures and accidents. These losses reflect the intense and hazardous nature of helicopter operations in the challenging terrain and combat conditions of Vietnam. 

The Huey was essential in the U.S. military's strategy of air mobility and contributed significantly to the war effort, despite the high number of losses.