Gerald Allan Cooper

Master Sergeant
20TH SPECIAL OPS SQD, 7TH AF
United States Air Force
10 July 1938 - 25 September 1970
Detroit, Michigan
Panel 07W Line 089

7TH AF

20TH SOS
UH-1P

USAF Aircrew

Air Medal, Good Conduct, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Gerald Allan Cooper

16 Apr 2002

Remembered by his squadronmates in the
20th Special Operations Squadron
the Green Hornets.

A memorial from a fellow Green Hornet,
Robert Hall
Robert.Hall12@scott.af.mil

25 Aug 2007

REMEMBERED

by his wife,
Harriett Cooper
harri58@comcast.net

Notes from The Virtual Wall

Two UH-1s of the 20th SOS based at Ban Me Thuot departed on a combat mission. The lead aircraft, UH-1F tail number 64-15484, was crewed by
  • CPT Jackie Phillip Heil, instructor pilot
  • CPT H B Carrington, pilot
  • MSgt Gerald Allan Cooper, gunner
  • SSG D J Galvan, gunner
During the flight, Heil was forced into a turn to avoid a mid-air collision with a VNAF CH-34. The UH-1F hit trees while turning, crashed, and caught fire after it came to rest. The fire destroyed the aircraft. Captain Heil and MSG Cooper were killed. Captain Carrington and SSgt Galvan were injured in the impact. A third helicopter which was transport configured and in the general area was called to recover the two injured crew members and evacuated them to Duc Lap for medical treatment. They were later transported to Cam Ranh Bay. Both survived their injuries.

NOTE:
Some sources, including the VHPA database, give SSG Galvan's name
incorrectly as "Calvan".



The point-of-contact for this memorial is
his wife,
Harriet Cooper
harri58@comcast.net



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 16 Apr 2002
Last updated 04/01/2008