Feb-3rd-1968

FEBRUARY 3RD 1968

The following took place February 3, 1968. Comments by: Floyd Turnley:

The paratroopers in the chopper were from the 1st platoon. James B. Brandon was killed, the first soldier of A Company killed by enemy fire. No one else was hurt, a few of us did get leeches from the wet rice patties. When the Chinook took off every one was aboard except one soldier who was left behind. He was rescued by another chopper.

Chopper Crash Nets Two Dead Charlies

PHU BAI - Thirty paratroopers of the 2nd Brigade; survived a helicopter crash landing near here recently and killed two VC as the Screaming Eagles waited for extraction. A "Chinook", ferrying the men of the 2nd Bn. (Abn), 501st Inf. took a round in the rear engine and the troopers were alerted for a crash landing. As the cargo aircraft settled toward the ground, Lt. John Rodelli, Chicago, barked instructions to his platoon from A Co.

"I told the men to set up a perimeter around the chopper as soon as we set touched the ground,"Rodelli said.

No sooner had the aircraft landed when enemy sniper fire peppered the area. Rodelli's platoon returned fire and killed two. The enemy firing ceased. Taking advantage of the lull, the pilot revved up the empty chopper and flew it to Phu Bai. Gunships arrived on station above the paratrooper platoon and provided covering fire.

The Screaming Eagle -Vol. 1, No. 8 -March 22, 1968 -Article provide by Mike Connell

Newspaper clipping provide by Jack Sherby

February 3rd, what a day. It was raining and the sky was overcast. We were going on a mission and 1st platoon had started loading onto a Chinook helicopter. Just minutes from now, we would be shot down, Brandon will die, and the rest of us would received a welcome message from Charlie.

We heard pings hit the chopper. I looked out the small window and saw flashes below in the wood line next to the flooded rice paddies. That is when I notice the ground coming up fast and smoke coming from the chopper.

It was a rough landing but the chopper was in one piece. We ran out the rear door and took up a defensive positions in the rice paddies. Fischer was the furthest out and to my left. Everything was happening fast. The flight crew repaired the chopper and we got out of there.

Brandon had been killed by a rifle round coming through the floor of the chopper. Everyone wondered who would be first. Now we wondered who would be next.

Story by: Floyd Turnley - PHU BAI

Thirty paratroopers of the 2nd Brigade; survived a helicopter crash landing near here recently and killed two VC as the Screaming Eagles waited for extraction. A "Chinook", ferrying the men of the 2nd Bn. (Abn), 501st Inf. took a round in the rear engine and the troopers were alerted for a crash landing. As the cargo aircraft settled toward the ground, Lt. John Rodelli, Chicago, barked instructions to his platoon from A Co. "I told the men to set up a perimeter
around the chopper as soon as we set touched the ground, "Rodelli said. No sooner had the aircraft landed when enemy sniper fire peppered the area. Rodelli's platoon returned fire and killed two. The enemy firing ceased Taking advantage of the lull, the pilot revved up the empty chopper and flew it to Phu Bai. Gunships arrived on station above the paratrooper platoon and provided covering fire.

This is the Chinook we were in February 3. 1968.