30 Sep 2005 He was a Texas A&M graduate Civil Engineer who volunteered to become a Army UH1 Huey helicopter pilot. The first-born grandson of Harlingen pioneer Eugenio and Sabas Gutierrez and the only son of Mr. and Mrs George Gutierrez Sr., he was the first casualty of the war for the City of Harlingen, Texas (Rio Grande Valley). A City park is named in his honor along with a local middle school. Cousin George was a true Texas Aggie who left us 40 years ago this month in body, but not in spirit. May God forever watch over him and all the other fallen Vietnam warriors. Gene Marin 1st Field Forces Battery "B" 4/60 Arty Dusters & Quad 50's Plieku and Dak To emarin@satx.rr.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 1 Sep 1965 two Hueys from the 197th Aviation Company were providing helicopter escort for a road convoy. The lead aircraft was UH-1B tail number 63-08567. As the convoy approached Ben Cat, the crew noticed activity just east of the highway in a known VC area. As lead descended to investigate, he received heavy hostile fire, exploded in midair, and crashed. Four crewmen and one ARVN passenger died in the crash: 1LT Carl J. Mangold, Castroville, TX, pilot; 2LT George Gutierrez, Harlingen, TX, copilot; SP5 William H. Eberhardt, Belmar, NJ, crew chief; PFC Donald L. Arcand, Lowell, MA, gunner; and ARVN passenger, name unknown, convoy liaison. PFC Arcand was a "Shotgun" gunner on temporary duty from a 25th Infantry Division unit.

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