History

History of the 129th Aviation Company

The 129th Aviation Company was formed July 3rd 1965 and was activated July 5th 1965 at Fort Campbell , Kentucky . The 129th Aviation Company served in Vietnam from 21 October 1965 to 8th March 1973 . The 129th was assigned to the 10th Combat Aviation Battalion which arrived in Vietnam on 29th October 1965 .

The primary mission of the 129th Assault Helicopter Company was to provide tactical air movement of the U.S. and allied troops in connection with counter-insurgency operations against hostile forces in the Republic of Vietnam .

The secondary mission of the 129th Assault Helicopter Company was to provide tactical air movement of supplies and equipment within the tactical area of responsibility.

The additional mission of providing suppressive fire support from the armed helicopter platoon for the ground troops, assault helicopters and motor convoys was of increasing importance.

Additional missions of the 129th were Armed Reconnaissance by Fire, Surveillance, Artillery Adjustment, Emergency Extractions and Medical Evacuations.

The 129th Aviation company was reorganized on Nov. 10th 1966 . The units attached at this time were 394th Transportation Company and 433rd Medical Detachment. The authorized strength at this time was 15 Offices, 52 Warrant Officers and 152 enlisted men.

The 129th was an airmobile light unit. They had much practice at Company size moves. Since arriving in Vietnam in October 1965 to Sept. 1966 the unit had made 17 tactical moves. The 129th consisted of a 1st and 2nd flight platoon of Slicks, which were known as Bulldogs where were D model aircraft and one gun platoon known as Cobras which were B models.

The above models were eventually replaced in late 1967 early 1968 with H model and some Cobra aircraft.

Some of the major operations supported by the 129th were:

Operation Jefferson in December 1965 to January 1966 in Tuy Hoa.
Operation Tyler on Jan 13th to Jan 20th 1966 in Phan Thiet.
Operation Van Buren on Jan 20th to Feb 20th 1966 in Tuy Hoa
Operation Harrison Feb 21st to Mar 24th 1966 in Tuy Hoa
Operation Filmore Mar 25th to Apr 30th 1966 in Tuy Hoa
Operation Hawthorn on June 10th 1966 to Jan 28 th 1967 in Dak To
Operation Beauregard on June 28th to July 14th 1966 in Dak To
Operation Paul Revere on July 15th to Aug 1st 1966 in Pleiku
Operation John Paul Jones on Aug 8th to Aug 19th 1966 in Tuy Hoa
Operation Paul Revere on Aug 19th to Sept 11th 1966 in Pleiku
Operation Seward on Sept 11th to Oct 25th 1966 in Tuy Hoa
Operation Geronimo on Oct 25th to Dec 4th 1966 in Phu Hiep
Operation Pickett on Dec 5th to Dec 31st 1966 in Kontum

Please understand this is a just a few of the major operations and not all of them.

Unit Decorations include:

Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered: Tuy Hoa Valley .
Valorous Unit Award, Streamer embroidered: Dak To.
Meritorious Unit Commendations, Streamer embroidered, Vietnam 65-66.
Meritorious Unit Commendations, Streamer embroidered, Vietnam 66-67.
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered Vietnam 1967-68.
Vietnamese Civil Action Honor Medal, 1st Class, Streamer embroidered Vietnam 1970.

Thirty Nine (39) members of the 129th Assault Helicopter Company lost their lives. Several were captured and one, Martin Dahiber Vanden Eykel II remains MIA (Missing in Action).

Alex Fernwalt
President of Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association (VHCMA)
129th AHC 65-68

Find below the list of the KIA MIA from the 129th. Also shown in the photo are the names of the veterans shown of the door of the huey 509

	ROBERT F CHAMBERLAIN WO - W1 - Army - Reserve 26 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
	Born	on Sep 21, 1940
	From	LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO
	Length of service	8 years.
	His tour of duty began on	Mar 08, 1966
	Casualty was on	Oct 07, 1966 SOUTH VIETNAM Hostile, died while missing HELICOPTER - PILOT AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	BAPTIST

	HARRY THOMAS WHETZEL CAPT - O3 - Army - Reserve 32 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Oct 29, 1933
	From	COLUMBUS, OHIO
	Length of service	14 years.
	His tour of duty began on	Sep 30, 1965
	Casualty was on	Casualty was on Oct 07, 1966 SOUTH VIETNAM Hostile, died while missing HELICOPTER - PILOT AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	PROTESTANT

	ROBERT WENDELL GILLIAM SP5 - E5 - Army - Regular 21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Jan 04, 1945
	From	LOMPOC, CALIFORNIA
	Length of service	2 years.
	His tour of duty began on	Oct 07, 1966
	Casualty was on	SOUTH VIETNAM Hostile, died while missing HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	ROMAN CATHOLIC

	JOHNNY LEONARD NEAL SP4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service 22 year old Single, Negro, Male
	Born	May 23, 1944
	From	EAST ST LOUIS, ILLINOIS
	Length of service	1 year.
	His tour of duty began on	Oct 07, 1966
	Casualty was on	Oct 07, 1966 SOUTH VIETNAM Hostile, died while missing HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	ROMAN CATHOLIC

	EDWIN STEVEN BRAGUE JR 1LT - O2 - Army - Reserve 23 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Feb 25, 1943
	From	RIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY
	Length of service	1 year.
	His tour of duty began on	Sep 20, 1966
	Casualty was on	Jan 07, 1967 in QUANG TIN, SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - PILOT AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN

	REGINALD GEORGE MORSE WO - W1 - Army - Reserve 32 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Jul 22, 1934
	From	JOANNA, SOUTH CAROLINA
	Length of service	14 years
	His tour of duty began on	Jun 25, 1966
	Casualty was on	Mar 05, 1967 SOUTH VIETNAM Non-Hostile, died missing HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	PROTESTANT

	HAMPDEN CUTTS JUDSON JR 1LT - O2 - Army - Reserve 20 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
	Born	May 04, 1946
	From	ST PAUL, MINNESOTA
	Length of service	2 years.
	His tour of duty began on	Nov 28, 1966
	Casualty was on	Mar 05, 1967 SOUTH VIETNAM Non-Hostile, died missing HELICOPTER - PILOT AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	EPISCOPAL, ANGLICAN

	KENNETH WAYNE WELLS SP4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service 1st Cav Division (AMBL) 23 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Dec 02, 1943
	From	CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
	Length of service	1 year.
	His tour of duty began on	Feb 23, 1966
	Casualty was on	Mar 05, 1967 SOUTH VIETNAM Non-Hostile, died missing HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	ROMAN CATHOLIC

	TIMOTHY JOSEPH LYNAH SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular 19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Nov 05, 1947
	From	CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
	Length of service	1 year
	His tour of duty began on	Dec 11, 1966
	Casualty was on	Mar 05, 1967 SOUTH VIETNAM Non-Hostile, died missing HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion

	EDWARD WILLIAM WELLS WO - W1 - Army - Reserve 20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Sep 11, 1946
	From	OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON
	Length of service	1 year.
	His tour of duty began on	Jun 16, 1966
	Casualty was on	Apr 23, 1967 SOUTH VIETNAM Non-Hostile, died missing HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion

	MICHAEL DWAYNE WALKER SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular 20 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Aug 11, 1946
	From	POMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA
	Length of service	1 year.
	His tour of duty began on	Jan 27, 1967
	Casualty was on	May 10, 1967 SOUTH VIETNAM Non-Hostile, died of illness/injury HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LA
	Religion

	John William Thorp SP4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service 20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Nov 11, 1947
	From	HUNTINGTON, NEW YORK
	Length of service	1 year.
	His tour of duty began on	Sep 08, 1968
	Casualty was on	Sep 08, 1968 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM NON-HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY ACCIDENTAL HOMICIDE Body was recovered
	Religion	ROMAN CATHOLIC

	LYNN MICHAEL MATTESON SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular 1st AVN BDE 19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Oct 26, 1949
	From	HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA
	Length of service	1 year.
	His tour of duty began on	Apr 03, 1968
	Casualty was on	Dec 09, 1968 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM Non-Hostile, died of illness/injury GROUND CASUALTY BURNS Body was recovered
	Religion	PROTESTANT

	LARRY LEE STONER WO - W1 - Army - Reserve 22 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Feb 06, 1947
	From	UNADILLA, NEBRASKA
	Length of service	-
	His tour of duty began on	Nov 04, 1968
	Casualty was on	Mar 11, 1969 in PHU YEN, SOUTH VIETNAM NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - PILOT AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	PROTESTANT

	JOHN LEE BENDOR SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular 19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Aug 01, 1949
	From	SOLANO, CALIFORNIA
	Length of service	1 year.
	His tour of duty began on	Mar 13, 1968
	Casualty was on	Mar 11, 1969 in PHU YEN, SOUTH VIETNAM NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion

	JEFFREY CHARLES STOWE WO - W1 - Army - Reserve 20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Mar 11, 1949
	From	WINSLOW, ARIZONA
	Length of service
	His tour of duty began on	Dec 12, 1968
	Casualty was on	May 13, 1969 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - PILOT AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	PROTESTANT

	KENNETH EUGENE WITMER WO - W1 - Army - Reserve 20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	May 19, 1948
	From	MILLERSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA
	Length of service
	His tour of duty began on	Nov 08, 1968
	Casualty was on	May 13, 1969 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - PILOT AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	PROTESTANT

	JOHN HENRY RALPH BROOKS SSGT - E6 - Army - Regular 1st AVN BDE 24 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Apr 08, 1949
	From	BRYANT POND, MAINE
	Length of service
	His tour of duty began on	May 13, 1969
	Casualty was on	Feb 11, 1974 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM Hostile, died while missing HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was not recovered
	Religion	PROTESTANT

	PAUL EDWARD GOONAN JR SP4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service 1st AVN BDE 20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Jul 09, 1948
	From	FRANKLIN, OHIO
	Length of service	1 year.
	His tour of duty began on	Dec 09, 1968
	Casualty was on	May 13, 1969 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	PROTESTANT

	RICHARD ARTHUR SAWRAN WO - W1 - Army - Reserve 1st AVN BDE 21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Mar 10, 1948
	From	WASHINGTON, NEW JERSEY
	Length of service
	His tour of duty began on	Mar 06, 1969
	Casualty was on	Sep 12, 1969 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - PILOT AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	ROMAN CATHOLIC

	STEPHEN ANTHONY DE SANTIS CWO - W2 - Army - Reserve 1st AVN BDE 23 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Jul 07, 1946
	From	WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT
	Length of service	2 years.
	His tour of duty began on	Oct 21, 1968
	Casualty was on	Sep 12, 1969 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	BAPTIST

	LAWRENCE DAVID JACKSON SGT - E4 - Army - Selective Service 1st AVN BDE 21 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Sep 11, 1948
	From	COLDWATER, OHIO
	Length of service	1 year.
	His tour of duty began on	Dec 19, 1968
	Casualty was on	Sep 12, 1969 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD

	STEPHAN LEE HARGRAVE PFC - E3 - Army - Regular 1st AVN BDE 18 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Oct 29, 1950
	From	DECATUR, ILLINOIS
	Length of service	1 year.
	His tour of duty began on	Apr 07, 1969
	Casualty was on	Sep 12, 1969 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	PROTESTANT

	WILLIAM CHARLES DUNLAP CWO - W3 - Army - Reserve 1st AVN BDE 32 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Sep 21, 1946
	From	TUCSON, ARIZON
	Length of service	10 years.
	His tour of duty began on	Mar 18, 1969
	Casualty was on	Feb 20, 1979 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM Non-Hostile, died missing HELICOPTER - PILOT AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	BAPTIST

	MARTIN D VANDEN EYKEL II CWO - W3 - Army - Reserve 1st AVN BDE 35 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Oct 04, 1943
	From	WHEATON, ILLINOIS
	Length of service	10 years.
	His tour of duty began on	Mar 22, 1969
	Casualty was on	Apr 16, 1979 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM Non-Hostile, died missing HELICOPTER - PILOT AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	REFORMED

	WILLIAM DALE SANDERLIN SSG - E6 - Army - Regular 1st AVN BDE 32 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Sep 15, 1943
	From	FT WORTH, TEXAS
	Length of service	9 years.
	His tour of duty began on	Jan 14, 1969
	Casualty was on	Mar 31, 1976 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM Non-Hostile, died missing HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	BAPTIST

	MICHAEL HENRY SHANLEY JR SFC - E6 - Army - Selective Service 1st AVN BDE 32 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Sep 12, 1945
	From	LA MESA, CALIFORNIA
	Length of service	10 years.
	His tour of duty began on	Mar 18, 1969
	Casualty was on	Aug 24, 1978 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM Non-Hostile, died missing HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	ROMAN CATHOLIC

	GEORGE ANTON HAIN SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular 1st AVN BDE 20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Nov 30, 1949
	From	MUNDELEIN, ILLINOIS
	Length of service	Jan 08, 1970
	His tour of duty began on
	Casualty was on	Oct 22, 1970 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - NONCREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	ROMAN CATHOLIC

	DAVID HIRAM STAMPER SP4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service 1st AVN BDE 21 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Mar 28, 1951
	From	WILKINSON, WEST VIRGINIA
	Length of service
	His tour of duty began on	Sep 03, 1971
	Casualty was on	Apr 14, 1972 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	BAPTIST

	CLAUD PAUL STROTHER WO - W1 - Army - Reserve 1st AVN BDE 26 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Dec 12, 1945
	From	FT WORTH, TEXAS
	Length of service
	His tour of duty began on	Aug 24, 1971
	Casualty was on	Apr 27, 1972 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	PROTESTANT

	THOMAS FRANCIS SHAW 1LT - O2 - Army - Reserve 1st AVN BDE 24 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Mar 28, 1948
	From	FOND DU LAC, WISCONSIN
	Length of service
	His tour of duty began on	Nov 15, 1971
	Casualty was on	Apr 27, 1972 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - PILOT AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	ROMAN CATHOLIC

	PAUL MICKLE NOLEN SP5 - E5 - Army - Regular USARV 21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Aug 01, 1949
	From	KINGMAN, INDIANA
	Length of service	Jun 02, 1970
	His tour of duty began on
	Casualty was on	Apr 14, 1971 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM Hostile, died of wounds HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	CHURCH OF GOD

	GLENN EDWARD NOWAKOWSKI WO - W1 - Army - Reserve 1st AVN BDE 21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Jul 06, 1951
	From	OAK CREEK, WISCONSIN
	Length of service	Feb 27, 1972
	His tour of duty began on
	Casualty was on	Jul 22, 1972 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	ROMAN CATHOLIC

	LEE WAYNE BILLINGSLY CAPT - O3 - Army - Reserve 1st AVN BDE 28 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Apr 26, 1944
	From	HUTCHINSON, KANSAS
	Length of service	Sep 28, 1971
	His tour of duty began on
	Casualty was on	Jul 22, 1972 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - PILOT AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	METHODIST

	BRADFORD GREG RACEY SP5 - E5 - Army - Regular 1st AVN BDE 19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Apr 15, 1950
	From	DENVER, COLORADO
	Length of service	2 years.
	His tour of duty began on
	Casualty was on	Apr 11, 1970 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM Hostile, died of wounds HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN

	JAMES MICHAEL YOUNG SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular 1st AVN BDE 20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
	Born	Aug 12, 1950
	From	DALLAS, TEXAS
	Length of service
	His tour of duty began on	Feb 10, 1971
	Casualty was on	Jun 26, 1971 in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - CREW AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND Body was recovered
	Religion	BAPTIST - SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION