MAURY LANGE’S SOUTHEAST ASIA (SEA) GREEN HORNET MEMORIES©
Permission granted to the following to quote, reformat, edit, paraphrase, cite, extract, and/or republish without further coordination. As a courtesy, source acknowledgement is always appreciated.
and/or Robert P. “Bob” Strout, Researcher/Author, RP&[email protected];
© 2006, Maurice A. “Maury” Lange, CCS/Green Hornet Pilot, ’69-’70, Rev. 10/03/06
II. FOREWORD: We were created from NOTHING . . . and returned to NOTHING. From the
need that sparked a vision to ACTION by MEN who knew how to respond to challenges many call impossible . . . those who benefited most from our sacrifices and creative genius turned and destroyed us. On an April 1970 Sunday morning (I had just returned from SEA to the United States), Henry Kissinger was allowed to lie to the American people, “Vee haff joost invaded Cambodia!” I knew the 20th Special Operations Squadron (20th SOS) “Green Hornets” was doomed. We had been active in and out of Cambodia on the most hazardous combat mission in SEA for four (4) years at that time and continued for two (2) more years before being sacrificed on the altar of plausible denial and political expediency. The credit went to others, NOT to our Top Secret international Joint Unconventional Warfare Task Force (JUWTF) now known as Military Assistance Command Vietnam/Special Operations Group (MACV/SOG) . . . Americans, South Vietnamese, Nationalist Chinese (Taiwanese), Australian, and others . . . missions of unparalleled international delicacy, physical brutality, and unprecedented valor helped guide our national strategy in absolute, unrecognized silence. The Green Hornets, like a Phoenix, rose from the dead stronger than ever and serve again. The silence ended in 2002 when the Secretary of the Army awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) to MACV/SOG for its unequalled SEA valor. The Green Hornets and our sister units can now tell our stories; some are ANGRY; some GRATEFUL and PROUD; some TRAGIC and SAD; some STRANGE and PUZZLED; some HYSTERICAL. ALL 22 STORIES ARE TRUE!!!
Green Hornet Maury Lange
(Green Hornet Slicks & Guns, 1969-’70).
Dedicated to all 20th Special Operations Squadron (20th SOS) “GREEN HORNETS,”
5th Special Forces Group Det B-50, Ban Me Thuot, RVN,
and our “Mike Flight” Element of 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron (21st TASS)
that gave us our “eyes,”
VETERANS, FAMILIES, and FRIENDS
(PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE)
21 September 2002, on the occasion of presentation of the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC).
© 2006, Maurice A. “Maury” Lange (reformatted), CCS/Green Hornet Pilot, ’69-’70, Rev. 10/03/06
III. FRAMING MY THOUGHTS: Often the Holy Scriptures and great literature say things I cannot
WINGS LIKE EAGLES© “ . . . those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
WELL WATERED GARDEN© “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
Isaiah 58:11-12 (NIV)
BAND OF BROTHERS© “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day who sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; . . . .”
William Shakespeare, Act IV-SC III,
1952, p. 27, The John Day Company,
New York
© 2006, Maurice A. “Maury” Lange (Titles Only), CCS/Green Hornet Pilot, ’69-’70, Rev. 10/03/06
IV. TABLE OF CONTENTS:
CHAPTER TITLE
I. COVER: “Maury Lange’s Southeast Asia (SEA) Green Hornet Memories©”
II. FOREWORD:
· Maury Lange “Personal Thoughts”©
· Maury Lange “Friendly Fire”©
· Air University History “20th Special Operations Squadron”
· Maury Lange “Unfinished Business”©
III. “FRAMING MY THOUGHTS”©:
· Isaiah 58:11-12 (NIV) “Well Watered Garden©”
· Henry V “Band of Brothers©”
· Pearl Buck “Rude Souls©”
IV. TABLE OF CONTENTS:
V. “MY BEGINNING/INTRODUCTION”©:
VI. STORIES:
A. “AAA FIRE ON FIRST COMBAT MISSION”©: (May ‘69)
B. “THE HONG LAM HOTEL AT NHA TRANG”©: (May-Sep ‘69)
C. “TPRS VILLA AT CCS/BMTE”©: (May ’69-Apr ’70)
D. “BARBER OF THE HIGHLANDS”©: (Jun ‘69-Mar ‘70)
E. “OUR CHAPLAINS”©: (Jun ’69-Apr ’70)
F. “A DIFFERENT DAY”©: (10 Jun ‘69)
G. “OUR SUPPORT TROOPS”©: (Jun ’69-‘Apr ’70)
H. “MAYDAY IN JULY AT DUC CO”©: (13 Jul ‘69)
I. “CRASH AT PHAN RANG”©: (19 Jul ‘69)
J. “’INCOMING!’ AT CCS/BAN ME THUOT EAST”©: (Jul ‘69).
K. “FUNNY MONEY EXCHANGE”©: (Aug ‘69)
M. “L’ECOLE CIVIC ACTIONS PROJECT”©: (Aug ‘69-Apr ‘70)
N. “MEAT LOCKER AT TUY HOA”©: (Sep ’69-Apr ’70)
O. “FAREWELL, ROOMIE PLUS!”©: (13 Sep ‘69)
P. “HAPPY NEW YEAR”©: (31 Dec ‘69-1 Jan ‘70)
Q. “R & R IN HAWAII”©: (Jan ‘70)
R. “NOM PE CEREMONY”©: (Mar ‘70)
S. “PHAN RANG AB . . . AGAIN”©: (Mar ‘70)
T. “FAREWELL, ROOMIE PLUS . . . AGAIN!”©: (19 Mar ‘70)
U. “DEROS – THE FREEDOM BIRD”©: (16 Apr ‘70)
W. “THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY”©: (16 Apr ’70-Current)
© 2006, Maurice A. “Maury” Lange, CCS/Green Hornet Pilot, ’69-’70, Rev. 10/03/06
III. “MY BEGINNING/INTRODUCTION”©
The United States Air Force (USAF) 20th Special Operations Squadron (20th SOS) “Green Hornets” [as the 20th Helicopter Squadron (20th HS)], initially flew the H-21 in the United States; the CH-3E, UH-1F, UH-1P, and UH-1N in SEA; then the UH-1N and HH-53 Pave Low II in the United States. My stories are limited to my SEA service, May 1969 to April 1970. Yes, there are many “Hornet Histories” from other time frames . . . from prior, during, and after this period. I will tell only stories in which I was involved. Other Green Hornets are telling their own stories when they are ready. At present, my stories are organized in rough chronological order, sometimes with multiple stories in a given month. All titles and stories are subject to updates and corrections (e.g., correcting or adding names, dates, aircraft tail numbers, etc.). These are NOT fictional stories; THEY HAPPENED, although more than 37 years have dulled many details. Comments, critiques, questions, challenges, and corrections are encouraged if the correspondent agrees to be quoted.
I am so grateful to my wife, Gretchen, who lived this history vicariously by (1) my letters, calls, and tapes from Vietnam, (2) my silences and few comments to our family over many years, (3) the thousands of letters, calls, and e-mails that changed our lives since 2001, and (4) hearing it again as I repeat stories that she reviews and proof reads. Her love and dedication are a debt that cannot be repaid!!! PLUS, Gretchen gave us our children. Son, Mark (41) in the Nashville area; son, Dennis (39) in the Atlanta area; son, Kurt (37) in the Seattle area; and daughter, Sarah (33) in the Chicago area. ALL knew that Dad loved them very much, BUT Dad had “moments” when he was . . . moody, flash tempered, and stubborn. They now hear most of these stories for the first time . . . I hope they can caringly tell our nine (9) fantastic grandchildren why Grandpa is . . . well, different. A little shouting can be fun and invigorating in a weird, family way; hugs, tears, and forgiveness are wonderful!!!
Also, I must acknowledge my unpayable debts to our Crew Chiefs and Gunners who did the most dangerous part of our mission and helped the pilots come home. They literally, physically hung outside the aircraft standing on the skids and hanging on their Gunners’ belts, clearing our aircraft formations at higher altitudes, guiding us pilots at low level through the bamboo and jungles, manning machineguns, spotting friendly and enemy troops, caring for passengers and wounded, removing crash victims, and becoming CLOSE AND RESPECTED FRIENDS OVER THE YEARS. Time and failing memory at least temporarily prevent my naming all the vigorous young professionals that flew with me. Those below stand as their surrogates. They even allow their families to welcome me into their lives . . . their wives and sweethearts, their children, their friends, and even their employers. They share their stories, candor, hugs, advice, and Reunion campfires. SEVERAL CONTINUE “WAY BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY”:
· Bob Hall, who began my recent “chapter” by finding me in my private “hiding hole” in early 2001 (after over 25 years). He phoned my wife, requesting her to ask if I remembered “Bob Hall.” I was so challenged by Bob’s kindness and dedication that I accepted his invitation to attend the September 2001, Kokomo, IN Green Hornet Reunion just days after “9-11.” Air travel was at a standstill (I arrived 48 hours later than intended), but no excuse would keep me from telling Bob “Thanks!!!” in person. Bob provided the now famous “Green Hornet List” which reunited some 400 of us by annual Reunions, e-mails, and phone calls out of more than 600. He continues updating. Bob is still employed by the Federal Government and travels a lot. He was key to the awards ceremony for the Army Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) at the September 2002 Green Hornet Reunion. We do not know how he does it, but Bob must not sleep. THANKS AGAIN, BOB and your wife, VICKI, for sharing you!!!
· Joe Sánchez did the same as Bob Hall, but by e-mail . . . “Are you the Maury Lange who flew for the Green Hornets? Do you remember me, Joe Sánchez?” Again, no contact for over 31 years . . . “Babyface? Are you THAT Joe Sánchez?” Joe chuckled, “Yup . . . also known as the ‘Teenaged Tech Sgt.’” Joe was the second Green Hornet to draw me from my “foxhole” before 9-11. I asked him to come to the 2001 Kokomo Green Hornet Reunion, but his health prevented it. Emotional and physical overload from 9-11 and the Reunion in the same week caused us “to trade war stories.” The blessing was getting to know Joe again, his gracious wife, Sharon, and their beautiful daughter, Nicole . . . then a rising Yakima Valley local TV personality . . . now a FOX News fixture In the Seattle/Puget Sound area. In SEA, Joe was a YOUNG, expert Armorer/Gunner; he retired as a CMSgt (E-9), then as a defense industry manager. “WELL DONE, JOE!!! THANKS, SHARON!!!”
· Gary Coffman, our lives were interwoven in Vietnam. We crashed a Huey together on 13 June 1969 at Duc Co. We each survived other destroyed Hueys within the next week and about a month later were involved in a third destroyed Huey. This changes men; I know it changed Gary and me . . . we are now convicted Christian men of faith . . . we knew God then, BUT our faiths are EXTREMELY personal now. At the 2001 Green Hornet Reunion, Gary came out of deep darkness at 1:00 AM to the campfire circle, asking, “ Captain, do you remember me?” I answered, “Gary Coffman!?!?” We entertained the men and women present with a LONG bear hug . . . UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL!!! We had not seen nor heard each other nor corresponded for more than 31 years!!! GARY and wife, KAREN, thanks for all your Reunion efforts AND your friendship!!!
· Woody Woodbury, a Green Hornet Gunner hero before my time, faithfully serves with his wife, Sherill, as co-host with other couples of the Kokomo Green Hornet Reunion. We first met at the 2001 Reunion; I arrived very late with my watch set to Pacific time (11:00 PM Saturday; really 1:00 AM, Sunday). Their greeting was awesome (a hot midnight-plus meal, lots of hugs, and plenty of war stories). I knew that I was with true Brothers and Sisters. Green Hornet Pilot Dale Eppinger later expressed to me his EXTREMELY HIGH REGARD for Woody . . . WOW!!! WOODY and SHERILL, it is a privilege to know you both!!!
· Buddha Booth, another Kokomo Reunion co-host that I met in 2001. Buddha is Editor of the “Rotor Blade Review” (periodic Green Hornet stories). Buddha was instrumental to my early re-emergence by challenging some of my myths of early Hornet History. A Crew Chief/
Gunner, he identified crash survivors whom I innocently (and ignorantly) understood to have died. He often reminds me of Huey stories from Minot AFB, ND. His family shared their RV with me at our 2004 Reunion. BUDDHA; wife, ANDREA; and son, CLAY . . . THANKS!!!
· Yo Yo Arroyo was a Gunner hero legend when I arrived in Vietnam . . . not once, but several times. Since USAF, he has been a “caring cop” in the Denver, CO area . . . specializing in kids. Since our youngest son, Kurt, is a cop (with a cop mentor as a youth), I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Yo Yo as a civilian. YO YO and wife, CAROLYN, please stay in touch. More of us need to know the real YOU!!!
· Dave Sparks, Christian Gentleman and Green Hornet Commander during 20th SOS’ most difficult period, Dave rebuilt the squadron after several catastrophic losses in early 1969. My own affection derives from the privilege of serving him as Squadron Administrative Officer AND from Holy Providence who allowed us to survive a horrible crash together at Phan Rang AB, RVN on 19 July 1969, the day before Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon. Our 20th SOS love for him reached mythic heights when he successfully defended the Green Hornets against the non-performing Director of 7th Air Force Logistics. This cost him his command , , , but equipment failure crashes stopped!!! DAVE, we still love you and pray for you!!!
· Brock Byers, a legendary Green Hornet Pilot in my time and one of few Pilots not living at Nha Trang’s Hong Lam Hotel, he amazed us by arriving safely at 20th SOS daily; he was a “good stick” and solid on many scary missions . . . but, how did he defy the odds so well in commuter traffic? Brock’s and Evelyn’s son, Mike, was a Special Operations Training Wing Commander at Kirtland AFB, NM . . . “a chip off the old Brock!!!” Brock is a gifted Combat Poet. BROCK and EVELYN, thanks for friendship, good cheer, kind counsel, and bed.
· Bob Estus and I flew together in SEA and Latin America. Our deep friendship often did not require words when a certain look or third party comment would stimulate similar dubious reactions or gales of hysterical laughter over a shared memory. Bob is about to retire after many years as a UPS Pilot. He and his wife, Lindy, have a summer home in Maine and a winter home in Texas for their retirement. BOB and LINDY, let’s get together!
· Bob Strout was before my time as a Green Hornet Pilot. We flew UH-1Ns in 24th SOS, in Latin America. However, it was not until many years later that our paths crossed at a Pilots’ Reunion hosted by Bob and his wife, Donna Jean, at their home in Medical Lake, WA. BOB and DONNA JEAN, thanks for helping me to re-emerge.
© 2006, Maurice A. “Maury” Lange, CCS/Green Hornet Pilot, ’69-’70, Rev. 10/03/06
VI. STORIES: Stories will be added, edited, and/or resequenced as they emerge.
A. “AAA FIRE ON FIRST COMBAT MISSION©”: HELLO, VIETNAM!!! My Continental Airlines jet arrived in Saigon in May 1969, at Ton Son Nhut AB. Approaching the terminal I heard a familiar shout, “Maury!” Captain John P. Cato (also a former B-52 co-pilot; we went to chopper training together at Sheppard AFB, TX the end of 1967 and then both flew Hueys in 1968 at Minot AFB, ND) and his crew waited to take me to Nha Trang AB immediately. Many Green Hornets served Temporary Duty (TDY) “tours” at Ton Son Nhut as part of their “in country” orientation, but due to my high flying time in the UH-1F already and my good training results from Hurlburt Field, FL, I never served in the Saigon area. As we lifted off in Cato’s Huey, enroute to Nha Trang AB, I saw all of Saigon I ever saw . . . some 15 minutes on the ground and in the air , , , hot and steamy, lots of civilians, lots of buildings and wide streets, many types of aircraft (civilian and military), and LOTS of car horns and “Vespa” bells. “Bye, bye, Saigon!” I NEVER RETURNED!
Several events dominated my arrival at Nha Trang AB. First, the 20th Special Operations
Squadron (20th SOS) “Green Hornets” had just suffered several fatal crashes (including the loss of a Commander, several 14th Special Operations senior officers and enlisted personnel, plus a combat pilot. Squadron morale was devastated. Second, I drew my personal equipment (E&E kit, survival gear, weapons, etc.) from the best First Sergeant I have ever known . . . MSgt Elmer Mitchell (even 37 years later I wish I knew how to contact him). Third, I met the finest command team in the world, Commander David K. “Dave” Sparks and Operations Officer Stephan “Steve” Von Phul (see Story F, “A Different Day”). Fourth, I checked into our pilots’ quarters in downtown Nha Trang, the converted French Hong Lam Hotel (see Story B). Fifth, I got a birthday cake (my 28th birthday) from my wife (packed in popcorn . . . it survived airmail for thousands of miles).- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Commander held an Officers’ Call at the 5th Special Forces Club my first week. Captain Robert “Bob” Velasquez, a Gunship Pilot, took me under his wing for this VERY serious, SAD meeting as the boss asked us pilots to help restore Squadron morale after so much tragedy. Bob (aka the Frito Bandido due his BIG mustache) pulled some small, red Cambodian peppers (from his garden at the Hong Lam) from his flight suit, asking if I liked hot peppers. New and over macho, I popped THREE in my mouth, and vigorously began chewing. Bob’s eyes got HUGE; 30 seconds later my mouth erupted in MAJOR pain. We nearly drowned in our tears (Bob wanting to laugh, and I wanting to scream), neither dared angering the Commander. Bob (a truly GREAT Gunship Pilot) and I stayed close friends for the rest of our tours . . . wish I knew where he is!
Several local orientation flights, both Slick and Gunship, several dozen autorotations, a check flight, lots of papers and briefings. Suddenly I was Mission Qualified and on my way for Crew Change at our Forward Base, Command and Control South/Ban Me Thuot East (CCS/BMTE), as a passenger from Nha Trang in a weird, black C-123 (from a sister squadron) called a “Blackbird.” I was told NOT to ask questions about the Blackbird . . . regrettably, I forgot this until later.
Crew Change was rapid with the tired, dirty, sweaty outgoing crews shaking hands with the arriving crews as we off-loaded our baggage onto the just emptied ¾ ton Jeep and trailer. As the C-123 took off in a cloud of dust, we dropped our extra baggage in our hooches, took a quick briefing from the Mission Operations Officer (MOO), preflighted, and launched with four Slicks and four Gunships north for Duc Co.
The Slicks (UH-1F) and Gunships (UH-1P) were identical except the Slicks were only armed with two infantry style M-60 machine guns whereas the Gunships had two General Electric 7.62 mm miniguns and two seven-tube 2.75 FFAR rocket launchers. My understanding was that both models flew with a Combat Waiver allowing standard configurations of 10 percent over maximum gross weight. We were HEAVY . . . fuel, weapons mounts, munitions, four crewmembers each with about 50 pounds of ballistic helmet, survival vest, food, .38 cal pistol, and 5.56 mm CAR-15, personal ammunition, and ballistic chest armor.
My Aircraft Commander, Captain James W. “Jim” Foster, was Lead and Mission Commander of our loose formation (gaggle) . . . my Huey Instructor at Sheppard AFB, TX in 1997; he expertly autorotated on my first helicopter flight when the engine quit. Keeping about 3,000 feet above ground level (AGL) to avoid small arms fire, we went north up Highway 14 and turned west short of Pleiku along Highway 19 to Oasis to refuel. Departing Oasis to the west, again following Highway 19, a few minutes later we landed at the Duc Co Special Forces camp airstrip (close to the Cambodian border), setting up a “Strip Alert” parking scheme by Element on the east overrun . . . two Slicks, Two Gunships, two Slicks, and two Gunships . . . each Element had its own field radio to hear any Forward Air Controller (FAC) warning or Launch Order.
My first day on strip alert was quiet; my only significant memories were: (1) the DRY HEAT, (2) “horse trading” C-rations with other Green Hornets, (3) “combat napping,” and (4) the really nice Montagnard (Rahde) kids from the small village by our alert area (down a hillside northeast of the runway). I tell more about some of the kids in a separate story.
That afternoon, our FAC released us; we departed Duc Co enroute to CCS/BMTE along Highway 19 east then Highway 14 south at 3,000 AGL. We skipped refueling; we had plenty of fuel, so shortly after leaving Duc Co we led our gaggle over the low mountain pass south of Pleiku. I flew as Jim monitored the radios and the formation. Suddenly, four large, black objects rose past the canopy and passed through the main rotor plane. Jim firmly ordered “Go straight ahead!!! Don’t change anything!!!” My response was a stunned “Holy cow, what was that?!?!”
Jim grimly said, “57 mm proximity fused antiaircraft fire. If you maneuver, they’ll get you.” I was not an antiaircraft artillery (AAA) expert, but I believed him . . . still do. The rounds, thick as a 12 ounce soda can, were some eight to ten inches (8-19”) long . . . they seemed close enough to touch, just in front and barely off to the right of the helicopter’s right seat (MINE). Why did these proximity fused rounds not explode going through the main rotor plane? God spared us; it had NOTHING to do with piloting skills or tactical knowledge. We reported the sighting to the CCS Intelligence Officer; this was NOT Viet Cong “small arms fire” . . . but North Vietnamese Army (NVA) AAA . . . 3,000 feet and STILL CLIMBING!!!
The next days were wonderfully boring. I enjoyed meeting the Rahde kids at Duc Co and decided to buy a haircut kit in Nha Trang to pass the strip alert time with free haircuts. Then, Crew Change . . . reverse of my first day; we were the hot, tired, dirty crews boarding the C-123. In the steep takeoff, I was impressed by the extreme cleanliness of the C-123’s interior. Every strap was in place, every seat properly configured, and every panel secured. When the aircraft leveled, I unstrapped my seat belt to walk around. Noting a long padded curtain in the middle of
the left side, I insanely peeked by pulling back on the Velcro strap. I was looking at a very angry Taiwanese radio operator in a plain black flight suit with a .45 cal automatic pistol aimed precisely between my eyes (I was warned). He used his pistol to say that I was to (1) refasten the curtain, (2) return to my seat and strap in, and (3) MIND MY OWN BUSINESS. I OBEYED!
I only remember Jim Foster from this “up country” week. Thus, ended my first week as a Vietnam warrior . . . alive, hot and tired, dirty, wiser, and way less curious.
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EPILOGUE: This mission taught me several lessons.
1. Beware of “bandidos bearing peppers” of any color; the Greeks were amateurs.
2. Strange and new is NOT bad.
3. Inexperienced is not incompetent.
4. Being ”COOL” multiplies.
5. Never relax in a combat zone.
6. You do not have to look for trouble; it will come to you when you are not looking.
7. Associate with people who are better than you at the task.
8. Being scared is not the same as panic.
9. Many crises resolve in a few seconds . . . you live or you die. God’s in charge.
10. A proximity fused 57 mm AAA round is BIG; if you see it, it will NOT kill you.
YOU JUST DIE OF FRIGHT.
11. Any AAA round you dodge will not kill you either; the NEXT round will.
12. Curiosity may not kill cats, but an unexpected .45 cal automatic in your face will
come close to “scaring the pee out of you” . . . I GUARANTEE IT!!!
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© 2006, Maurice A. “Maury” Lange, CCS/Green Hornet Pilot, ’69-’70, Rev. 10/03/06
F. A DIFFERENT DAY: DEDICATION . . . Many reasons delayed telling this story for 37 years. The United States Air Force (USAF) had two helicopter Special Operations Squadrons (SOS) attached to Military Assistance Command Vietnam - Special Operations Group (MACV-SOG or SOG) during the Vietnam War. My unit, the 20th SOS “Green Hornets,” served SOG’s Command and Control South base at Ban Me Thuot East (CCS/BMTE) in South Vietnam’s Central Highlands and its Cambodian cross-border mission. 21st SOS in Thailand supported SOG’s cross-border mission in Laos. Dedicated, talented, and highly trained Special Forces teamed with indigenous warriors for long range reconnaissance patrols (LRRPs) in enemy territory.
First, for 30 years silence permeated our international, joint unconventional warfare task force, MACV-SOG . . . a Top Secret name we could not even whisper . . . our cover name was Studies
and Observations Group (still, MACV-SOG). Second, geopolitical sensitivities of our combat operations in nominally neutral Cambodia and Laos against the impudence of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) operations on the Ho Chi Minh Trail still make some timid souls nervous. Third, political sensitivity still surrounds USAF in what is widely perceived as an Army mission. The term “USAF armed helicopters” still causes both USAF and US Army leadership to grind their teeth; but, 20th SOS puts an end to this parochial traditionalism by PERFORMANCE. It is good to be loved and respected; it is even greater to be THE BEST . . . THE ROLE MODEL!!!
Fourth, we owe a loyalty of silence to our dead; some stories are not ours to tell . . . also, some of these stories belong to the Special Forces. WE CONTINUE TO BE PRIVILEGED TO SERVE/
SUPPORT THEM!!! Fifth, call it privacy, propriety, manners, modesty, shyness, embarrassment, reluctance, timidity, shame, lethargy, selfishness, fear, PTSD, or whatever, but God did not allow it to be told until its time; it lost too much without the right facts. I recently found John Gillespie Magee, Jr.’s classic World War II poem, HIGH FLIGHT, on Internet. I instantly penned my heart’s response in LOW FLIGHT, on 3 September 2006, the 65th birthday of HIGH FLIGHT. Robert L. Noe of SOG PUB ([email protected]) challenged me to tell the LOW FLIGHT story. Sixth, two men made this story possible; I never thanked them properly. This story and poem are for the Special Forces team, our Gunners, Captain Reese A. McClanahan (home unknown), and LtCol Stephen “Steve” Von Phul (deceased) . . . “THANKS!!!”
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10 June 1969 in Vietnam for me actually began a year earlier while flying UH-1F Minuteman Missile Site Support at Minot AFB, ND. “Father Time” (Captain Reese A. McClanahan) mentored me on surviving an SEA tour in special operations helicopters. Reese was a “gentle giant” who survived a very cold, wet chopper crash in North Korea the night the Chinese strung their first cable over the Yalu River; later, he took his tough spirit to Laos for highly classified special ops. Among other things, Reese graphically explained the resiliency of the “phenolic block” on the leading edge of the Huey main rotor, which could literally carve a tunnel through a large bamboo thicket, sufficient to rescue a trapped Special Forces team . . . if I were careful enough to BACK OUT THE EXACT SAME HOLE!!! The maneuver required the Pilot to have VERY steady hands
and TOTAL CONFIDENCE in two Gunners with nerves of steel to guide him backwards up the sloping tunnel . . . improperly done, the result would be catastrophic, shattering the tail rotor and/or shredding the main rotor blade skins. This maneuver did not appear in any recognized USAF helicopter training syllabus as an approved maneuver; I’m sure that it could have resulted in a court martial . . . perhaps so even today. God was in charge . . . HE CONTINUES.
“In country” only one month, mission qualified for only a couple of weeks, and still a “Newbie,” I was Duty or Standby Pilot at CCS/BMTE. Most of our UH-1F “Slicks” and UH-1P “Gunships” plus our Forward Air Controller (FAC) were on strip alert at Duc Lap near the Cambodian border to extract teams from “across the fence.” When the field phone rang that afternoon, I barely heard, “This is Colonel XXX in Saigon. Do you have a mission-ready Slick at your location?” I stammered, “Yes, Sir!” He firmly replied, “Your orders will arrive at your TOC in a few minutes!”
I immediately sent for the temporary Mission Operations Officer (MOO), LtCol Stephen “Steve”
Von Phul. As he hurried into the “MOO Shack,” I told him that we were alerted for launch orders as the phone rang again with the request that he come to the TOC right then. LtCol Von Phul confirmed that he would be Aircraft Commander, and I would be Co-Pilot. He told me to form a crew, preflight our Huey, start the engine, and wait for his return with our orders. I found the Crew Chief/M-60 Gunner and recruited another qualified Gunner; we completed Preflight and started the engine as Von Phul arrived. He took off and turned towards southwest of Ban Me Thuot City, midway to Duc Lap and the Cambodian border, briefing the crew on interphone with orders direct from SOG.
SOG was over exposed that day with multiple teams in Cambodia west of Duc Lap PLUS another team in an emergency well inside South Vietnam (east of Duc Lap). This team was hiding in a HUGE bamboo thicket and taking fire from 360 degrees from a North Vietnamese Army (NVA) regiment that had compromised the team; now, a regiment is a bunch of folks compared to a six man team! We talked this over with the Gunners while arranging our rendezvous with the FAC and the pair of Gunships that SOG had released early from Duc Lap to support us. I cannot remember, but there must have been a backup Slick from Duc Lap also while the remaining Gunships and Slick remained at Duc Lap until their teams were bedded down.
We made visual and radio contact with the FAC about 10 km away; he gave us the grim SITREP and identified the bamboo thicket to us (now about 5 km away). Suddenly, LtCol Von Phul said, “Maury, do you know how to do this?” I prayed for God’s guidance and got an instant image of Reese McClanahan’s large frame leaning over me as I said “Yes, Sir!” Von Phul shook the stick (cyclic) and said, “You have the aircraft!!!” I returned the stick shake and answered, “I have it.” Reese’s voice started telling me how to brief the crew and begin our rapid descent under the FAC’s control to begin penetration of the 200’ tall bamboo. I thanked God that LtCol Von Phul had let me choose the Gunners; I knew them well enough to know that they were good and solid. They were so smooth and coordinated that they seemed like a recording duo . . . voices carefully modulated without extremes of volume or rapid talking . . . smooth and alternating . . . each shooting his M-60 in constant suppressive fire as we descended into the fading light.
They guided me into the bamboo at a gradual angle as the Gunships passed overhead, “hosing” both sides with devastatingly effective minigun fire; the main rotor blades shattered a tunnel all the way to within about 20’ above the team that was hiding and shooting defensive fire from the center of the thicket. The roar of friendly and enemy fire was constant. The Gunners ordered me to stop our descent as they kicked two rope ladders out for the team; the team snap-linked their field gear to the ladders and gratefully scrambled on board our Huey as the Gunners began steadily guiding me back out the tunnel. Their instructions were unbelievably calm and professional; I listened carefully to everyone (the Gunners, the FAC, the Gunships, and Reese).
LtCol Von Phul never touched the stick nor spoke until we were out of the hole enroute home as he took control again; he had total confidence in me. No orchestra ever played with such grace and practiced harmony as our team that afternoon. Our crew, the FAC, the Gunships, the Special Forces, and SOG all collaborated to make beautiful music without rehearsal. God was obviously guiding each of us to do our part . . . including bringing Reese for one more mentoring session. God also kept things quiet for our other Brothers “across the fence” in Cambodia.
I GREATLY REGRET THAT I CANNOT REMEMBER OUR GUNNERS’ AND FAC’S NAMES, THOSE OF THE OTHER HELICOPTER CREWS, OR OF THE TEAM EITHER. HOPEFULLY, ONE DAY I CAN UPDATE THIS WITH THEIR NAMES, BECAUSE THEY WERE THE BEST!!!
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EPILOGUE: In mid-April 1970, I transferred to the Defense Language Institute (DLI) at the Presidio of Monterey, CA to learn Spanish with my wife for four years in Latin America. An
annual records check showed a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for this mission; the DFC had yet to be awarded (over a year later). LtCol Von Phul was Aircraft Commander, and I was Co-Pilot on this mission; normally the Aircraft Commander received such a medal, but LtCol Von Phul (the Squadron Operations Officer) apparently deferred and awarded me the DFC for flying the mission’s “action part.” We never discussed it afterwards . . . he was that kind of a guy . . . a good friend, quiet leader, and great gentleman who with my mentor, Reese A. McClanahan, gave me the privilege of serving our Brothers. I thank them, our Gunners, the FAC, the Gunships, and the CCS Special Forces who produced “A Different Day.”
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© 2006, Maurice A. “Maury” Lange, CCS/Green Hornet Pilot, ’69-’70, Original 09/03/06, Rev. 10/03/06
HIGH FLIGHT
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, -and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of -wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air . . . .
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor eagle flew-
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
John Gillespie Magee, Jr., 06/09/22-12/11/41
Pilot Officer, Royal Canadian Air Force
3 September 1941
LOW FLIGHT
Oh! We’ve been leg-whipped by knives of bamboo
And tap danced with joy in the face of Death;
Now we hurtle down t’wards Earth’s very bowels
To save a team in the name of “DUTY!”
We share fear’s bile, same as the team below
Late in the post noon shadows. Hov’ring there,
We chase the breath of Death away, and fling
Our Huey lower through surrounding fire . . . .
Down, down the bamboo’s dark tunnel of doom
With a hail from above of gunship brass
Where neither friend nor foe can walk
Nor see, from the depth of the grass
Where Life separates from Death, we
Lower ladders and raise up our Brothers.
Dedicated to our brave Brothers of MACV-SOG CCS & our Gunners
plus Captain Reese A. McClanahan & LtCol Stephen “Steve” Von Phul
Maurice A. “Maury” Lange
Maj, USAFRES(Ret)
CCS/20th SOS “Green Hornets,” ’69-‘70
3 September 2006, Rev. 10/03/06
With appreciation to the author of HIGH FLIGHT
John Gillespie Magee, Jr., 06/09/22-12/11/41
Pilot Officer, Royal Canadian Air Force
3 September 1941
© 2006, Maurice A. “Maury” Lange, CCS/Green Hornet Pilot, Original 09/03/06, Rev. 10/03/06