15 Sep 2002 Captain Chriss L. Roediger was the 1st Platoon leader, D /158 Redskins, and an AH-1G pilot and Check Instructor. On the evening of 08 Oct 1969 Chriss and co-pilot James Lucinski volunteered to lead a search and rescue mission to find the downed Cobra of Robert Andrews and Robert Watkins. Captain Roediger remained airborne for over an hour amidst poor weather and darkness attempting to reach the downed Cobra. Their AH-1G COBRA (tail number 68-15145) came under enemy ground fire while returning to Camp Evans to refuel. As a result of the damage caused by the hostile fire the aircraft crashed, killing both Capt. Roediger and Capt. Lucinski. Chriss was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Air Medal (fourth through fifteenth award). "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." -- John15:13 -- He is missed by his family and all who knew him. From his nephew, Chriss Cabodi ccabodi1@yahoo.com

 

01 Nov 2002 Captain Roediger was awarded the Silver Star while serving with D/158 in 1969 From his crew chief, Terry Barrett B17F@msn.com

 

22 Nov 2002 REMEMBERED by another of the "Band of Brothers" Edward T Shepherd gllevel2@cs.com

 

10 Jul 2006 Rest in peace, Chriss, and Thank You for giving your life for your country. I served with D Co. 158th Redskins after you were there, from May 05, 1971 to Dec 1971. From a former D Co 158th "Redskin", Spec4 David W Carnline 101 Houston Road, Weatherford, Texas 76088 dcal5571@sbcglobal.net

 

Notes from The Virtual Wall On 08 Oct 1969 Captain Robert T. Andrews, pilot, and CW2 Robert J. Watkins, copilot, were flying an AH-1G Cobra (D/158 Aviation Bn, tail number 68-15044) providing protective cover for a downed aircraft in the A Shau Valley, South Vietnam. While returning to Camp Evans, Captain Andrews determined that a combination of approaching darkness, bad weather and low fuel demanded that he land in the A Shau rather than continue to Camp Evans. As the aircraft descended through a cloud layer it apparently hit trees and crashed. With 68-15044 overdue, D/158 began a search and rescue effort. As noted above, Captains Roediger and Lucinski in AH-1G 68-15145 were part of that effort and were lost while returning to Camp Evans. At 68-15044's crash site, Andrews regained consciousness on the morning of 09 October, and found Watkins hanging from the helicopter. Andrews confirmed that Watkins had been killed in the crash and decided to walk out of the crash site. He was rescued five days later in Laos, but he was unable to say exactly where the helicopter had crashed. Attempts to find the crash site by air were unsuccessful and Warrant Officer Watkins' body was not recovered.

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