John Raymond Ferrazzano
Corporal
HMM-161, MAG-39, 1ST MAW, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
New Hyde Park, New York
February 17, 1946 to October 17, 1968
JOHN R FERRAZZANO is on the Wall at Panel W41, Line 69

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05 Dec 2007

John,

I remember you as smiling, always a cheerful guy. You made friends easily and you were well liked. I remember the time you asked us to walk with you to upper levels of the Port Authority in New York. I didn't blame you. I wouldn't have wanted to make that walk alone at that time of night either. That was right after we graduated from Lakehurst Flight Equipment school.

The last time I saw you was at Quang Tri and you were anxious to start flying as a door gunner on CH-46 helicopters. We chatted for a while and wished each other luck. I never saw you again. I wish I had taken the time to know you better. You were one of the good guys. I know Walt, John, Melvin, Billy, Mitch and I all thought so. And, I know like me, you've been in their thoughts all these years too.

You were truly a good Marine and a good human being. You'll never be forgotten.

Semper Fi, buddy.
George
skrg45@earthlink.net


 

A Note from The Virtual Wall

The HMM-161 Command Chronology contains the following entries:
"17 Oct 68: 1 aircraft missing in marginal weather at last known position was YD0437, time 1855H."

"18 Oct 68: The missing aircraft since 161855H [sic] was located at 1130H position YD042374. The aircraft was believed to have hit ridge line in clouds and rain showers with 6 persons on board receiving fatal injuries."

while the Air Group 39 Chronology contains
"17 October 1968. On a medevac mission in mountainous terrain, the CH-46 Med-evac aircraft went inadvertently IFR and crashed. The wreckage was not located until the following day due to weather."
CH-46D BuNo 154794 crashed on a ridgeline about 12 kilometers southeast of Ca Lu. The six men who died were
  • HMM-161, MAG-39
    • Capt Joseph L. Powell, Alexandria, VA, copilot
    • 1stLt James N. Sweet, South Lima, NY, pilot
    • Cpl John R. Ferrazzano, New Hyde Park, NY, aircrewman
    • LCpl Robert M. Cheek, Wolcottville, IN, crew chief
    • LCpl William D. Frantz, Schuylkill Haven, PA, gunner

  • H&MS-39, MAG-39

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