Delvin Lee Kohler

Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class
VF-142, CVW-14, USS CONSTELLATION
United States Navy
19 July 1945 - 02 October 1969
Kersey, Colorado
Panel 17W Line 028

USS CONSTELLATION

VF-142
National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Delvin Lee Kohler

09 Jan 1999

REMEMBERED

by
Bill "Truck" Treston
wtreston@jnlk.com
05 Oct 2006

The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo;
No more on Life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.
On fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents to spread,
And glory guards, with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead.
- Theodore O'Hara, 1847 -

I went to school with Delvin Lee Kohler. Kind of funny - he was older than me, but I went before him. I tried to pave the way, guess it didn't work. Ride high, my brother, we will see each other some day.

David Berlier
1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry
The "1st Regiment of Dragoons"
23rd Division "Americal", Vietnam
Animo et Fide
1416 8th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80631
happyharry05@hotmail.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall

Fleet Support Squadron 50 (VRC-50), based at Naval Air Station Atsugi in Japan provided "air taxi" service between shore bases and carriers at sea. VRC-50 maintained a detachment at Naval Air Station Cubi Point, part of the Navy complex at Subic Bay in the Philippines. The Cubi Point det was dedicated to supporting the carrier task forces operating in the Gulf of Tonkin.

In the early morning hours of 02 Oct 1969 a VRC-50 C-2A departed Cubi Point on a logistics flight to the carrier USS CONSTELLATION. Twentysix men were aboard - five aircrew, 20 sailors from TF 77 ships and squadrons, and a civilian technical representative, Mr. Frank Bytheway. Shortly before 6 AM, as the aircraft approached CONSTELLATION for landing, the C-2 disappeared from the approach controller's radar scope. Search and rescue efforts began at once, with helicopters overhead the C-2's last known position within minutes of its disappearance. SAR efforts continued through the day but failed to locate anything except an oil slick and aircraft fragments. No human remains were recovered. Since there was no doubt the 26 men aboard had died in the incident they were classed as Died/Body not Recovered.

As it happens, one of The Virtual Wall staff was embarked in CONSTELLATION at the time of this incident and vividly recalls the Task Group's efforts to recover survivors. CONSTELLATION detached three destroyers for surface search and of course provided helicopters for air search. The SAR effort reluctantly was terminated at sundown on 02 October. A memorial service was held aboard CONSTELLATION in remembrance of our shipmates lost at sea:

  • USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64)
    • MM1 Paul E Gore
    • FTM2 Robert B Leonard
    • HM3 Roy G Fowler
    • ABH3 William D Gorsuch
    • DS3 Keavin L Terrell

  • Carrier Air Wing 14, embarked in USS CONSTELLATION
    • ASE3 Michael L Bowman, Attack Squadron 27 (VA-27)
    • AMH2 Carl J. Ellerd, Attack Squadron 97 (VA-97)
    • SD2 Fidel G Salazar, EW Warfare Squadron 133 (VAQ-133)
    • HM2 Donald C Dean, Early Warning Squadron (VAW-113)
    • ADJ2 Kenneth M. Prentice, Fighter Squadron 142 (VF-142)
    • ATR3 Richard W Bell, Fighter Squadron 142 (VF-142)
    • AMS3 Delvin L Kohler, Fighter Squadron 142 (VF-142)
    • AN Howard M Koslosky, Fighter Squadron 142 (VF-142)
    • AQB2 Ronald W Montgomery, Fighter Squadron 143 (VF-143)
    • AE2 James J Fowler, Fighter Squadron 143 (VF-143)
    • AME3 Terry L Beck, Fighter Squadron 143 (VF-143)

  • USS WALKE (DD-723)
    • YNC Leonardo M Gan
    • PN1 Rolando C Dayao

  • USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9)
    • MM2 William R Moore

  • USS HAMNER (DD-718)
    • TN Reynaldo R Viado

  • VRC-50
    • LT Herbert H Dilger
    • LT Richard A Livingston
    • AMS3 Rayford J Hill
    • ADJ3 Paul K Moser
    • ADJ3 Michael J Tye

  • Mr. Frank L. Bytheway, civilian


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
one who remembers,
Bill "Truck" Treston
wtreston@jnlk.com



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 09 Jan 1999
Last updated 10/14/2006