27 Jan 2006 Bob, it's been 30 or more years since the day you died. I can still see the event in my mind as if it were moments ago. I was proud to have called you "friend". I can only say that the world lost a good person when you left it. While nothing can ever sooth the hurt your family felt at your passing, they can always be proud of you. You were one of the heroes I served with. Jim Owens former Sergeant, B Co 1/14th Infantry jhowensjr@rcn.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 05 June 1970 the 119th Assault Helicopter Company was tasked with supporting a combat assault by B Company, 1/14th Infantry. As UH-1H tail number 68-16354 approached the landing zone it was hit by automatic weapons fire which killed both pilots. The aircraft crashed into a stream and burned, killing one of the two remaining crewmen and four infantrymen. The dead were 119th AHC: WO Donald J. Lundequam, St Paul, MN WO Ralph S. Roussell, Bogalusa, LA SP4 Scotty R. Broadston, Lake Havasu City, AZ B Co, 1st Bn, 14th Inf Rgt: 1LT Dennis W. Dotson, El Centro, CA SGT Robert M. Goselin, Bourbonnais, IL SGT Steven R. Stefanski, San Diego, CA PFC Robert H. Hill, Grand Rapids, MI The 119th AHC unit history describes the incident: "Today was a sad day for the Gators as they have lost friends as well as fine aviators. Gator 354 was shot down by enemy gunners and along with her she took the lives of WO Rousell, WO Lundequam, SP4 Broadston, and four soldiers from the 1/14 Infantry. The only survivor of the crash was PFC Comes, who was floundering in the water after attempting to help WO Lundequam, who had already perished. PFC Comes was fished out by WO Oliver's (pilot of another HUEY) quick to react crew chief and gunner, SP4 Almon and SP4 Bottom respectively. SP4 Almon attempted to rescue an injured and badly burned victim who was under (Editor's note: next word doesn't make sense) cerntainable, but the effort was in vain as the victim drifted in the blazing wreckage. During his attempt, SP4 Almon lost his footing and went under almost on the verge of drowning. WO Kelly jumped out of the aircraft and retrieved SP Almon. Those injured were medevaced to An Khe and the area was secured."

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