Boeing CH-47A Chinook helicopter 65-07989.

65-07989

A patch worn by members of the 147th Assault Support Helicopter Company while deployed to the Republic of Vietnam.

Property of the

147th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC)

"Hillclimbers"

while deployed to the

Republic of Vietnam

   65-07989, Boeing build number B-161, was a CH-47A helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 15 February 1966. The administrative strike date was 20 August 1968. 65-07989 accumulated 1,509.0 aircraft hours.

   At some point, 65-07989 was assigned to the 147th Assault Helicopter Support Company (ASHC) - "Hillclimbers" in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN), and remained there through 20 August 1968 until it was lost in combat.

   On 10 January 1967, 65-07989, at 442.0 aircraft hours, while on a logistics support re-supply mission, received small arms fire. The aircraft was repaired in theater.

   On 24 March 1967, 65-07989, at 596.0 aircraft hours, while enroute on a mission to relocate internally loaded artillery, received small arms fire in the bottom, damaging the structure. The aircraft was repaired in theater.

   On 25 April 1967, 65-07989, piloted by CPT Lloyd Mason and CW2 Marvin Johnson responded to a United States Air Force (USAF) pilot requesting evacuation. They hovered over the dense foliage for 20 minutes and, using the hoist, recovered 4 personnel.

   On 30 June 1967, 65-07989, at 756.0 aircraft hours, while on a rescue mission, received small arms fire in the aft area, damaging the structure.

   On 29 November 1967, 65-07989, at 1,009.0 aircraft hours, while on a combat mission for troop extraction from a hot area, received small arms fire in the right side, damaging the structure. The aircraft was repaired in theater.

   On 1 December 1967, 65-07989, at 1,086.0 aircraft hours, received small arms fire in the left side, damaging the structure. The aircraft was repaired in theater.

   On 1 March 1968, 65-07989, at 1,132.0 aircraft hours, while on a logistics support re-supply mission, received small arms fire in the passenger cargo area, damaging the hydraulics system. The aircraft was recovered by means other than its own power and repaired in theater.

   On 20 August 1968, at 1,234.0 aircraft hours, a Vietcong sniper brought 65-07989 to the ground in a ball of flames at UTM coordinates XS697481. While the aircraft was departing fire support base Dong Son on a resupply mission with a sling load, 1LT Sherfey and CPT Fraser received small arms fire and numerous hits. The aircraft was struck in the engine compartment causing a fire. While doing an in-flight check, SPC6 Yacin stated the aft end of the aircraft was on fire. CPT Fraser immediately entered autorotation while the 1LT jettisoned the load. A soft landing was made and crew scrambled for safety as the Aft Pylon fell off the burning aircraft. WO1 Sam Nagel and 1LT Charlie Adam, operating another aircraft on the same mission, circled the aircraft while making radio calls, then landed and recovered the downed crew. There were no fatalities or injuries.

   The last known location of 65-07989 was in the Republic of Vietnam.

   Aircraft status: Shot down in combat.

65-07989 Burning

CH-47A Chinook helicopter 65-07989 as it lay in a rice patty burning after being shot down by enemy fire in the Republic of Vietnam.

A photograph taken from the sister ship, shows 65-07989 as it lay burning in a rice patty after being shot down. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.