The Thursday Evening, December 28, 1967 Lowell Sun article started with "Spec 4 William H Campbell, age 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. (Elthera) William H. Campbell, Jr. of 83 Locust Street Burlington, was killed Tuesday when the helicopter in which he was a passenger crashed in the Highlands of Vietnam." SP4 Campbell was on his second tour of vietnam since the end of September when he was killed. He was a flight Operations Specialist in the 228th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1963, attended the University of Massachusetts for two years and joined the Army in February 1965. His began his first tour in Vietnam in June 1966. He was buried in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. He was survived by his brother Alan, age 18, Burlington; three sisters, Mrs Elthera Johnson, New York City, Mrs. Joan Barlo of Westbrook Connecticut, and Ruth Campbell of Burlington. He was also survived by his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William H Campbell of Oakham. Elthera L. Campbell, the Mother of William H Campbell, III, a longtime resident of Burlington, MA , passed away peacefully on January 7, 2010, in San Diego, CA with her family at her bedside. She was 89 years old. She was the beloved wife of the late William (Bill) Campbell (Jr) who passed away in 1971 while living in Burlington. Graveside services were held at the Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Bedford St., Burlington, MA on Saturday May 8, 2010 at 12:30. It is believed she was laid to rest with her husband and son. You can read about her family here.

Records show: "Individual died from injuries received while passenger on miliary aircraft enroute to a Christmas show when rear rotor came off, aircraft crashed and burned." The Aircraft had 5 crew members and 28 passengers on board. The 8th Cav had been in contact with the enemy for several grueling days and were being rewarded by being flown to Phu Cat. One passenger, the Platoon Sergeant of the platoon in which aircraft 66-19006 was assigned, was aboard the aircraft and reported that a blade came off the aft head and the aft transmission and pylon was dislodged from the airframe. The aircraft fell to the gound from about 200 feet, tail first. It landed on it's tail, then continued down onto it's belly. At that time, the forward transmission left the airframe. The aircraft came to rest upright and two small fires were extinguished. The accident occurred in Binh Dinh Province. Warrant Officer K Bastion, from the Service Battery, 7th Battalion, 13th Artillery also witnessed the crash. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal for heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed hostile force. Upon seeing the crash, he rushed to the scene and despite great danger to himself, he climbed aboard, thereby covering himself with highly flamable aviation fuel, but he assisted in the removal of injured personnel. After removal of the seriously injured, still at the risk of his life, He remained in the immediate vicinity of the aircraft, assisting medical personnel with the evacuation of the injured from the scene. Of the 33 persons on board the helicopter, all had an injury of some sort and 8 were killed. Those killed in the accident were: CPT Michael Edward Berdy, HHC 2/8 Cav, New York, NY SP4 William H Campbell III, C/228th ASHB, Flt Eng, Burlington, MA SSG Allen D Ford, Charlie 2/8 Cav, Pueblo, CO SP4 Barry Stuart Kyle, HHC 228th ASHB, Bradford, MA 1LT Daryl Lee Ligons, Charlie Btry, 1/30 Arty, Los Angeles, CA CPL James Lee Russ Jr, HHC, 2/8 Cav, Youngstown, OH 1LT Thomas Milton Van Zandt, Charlie 2/8 Cav, Austin, TX SGT Stephen Michael Vuga, Charlie 2/8 Cav, Pittsburgh, PA Full details and photos can be viewed here -- The Virtual Wall

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