Kenneth Lloyd Crody

Corporal
HMM-165, MAG-36, 1ST MAW
United States Marine Corps
03 August 1953 - 11 July 1972
Griffith, Indiana
Panel 01W Line 055

1ST MAW

CH-53

HMM-165
Kenneth L Crody

Combat Aircrew

Purple Heart, Air Medal, National Defense, Vietnam Campaign, Vietnam Service

The database page for Kenneth Lloyd Crody

4 Jul 2001

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

A memorial initiated by one who remembers
setlakhouse@hotmail.com
10 Aug 2002

I grew up with Kenny and still miss him. Not many days go by that I don't think of him. He was only 17 years old in this school photo, and the next year he was MIA (probably killed in action). The photo is blurry, it was just a small yearbook photo, and blowing it up big enough to see didn't help the quality. But at least you can still see what he looked like -- WAY TO YOUNG to die, is how he looked to me.

Linda Lusby
E-Mail will be forwarded by the
Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

08 Jan 2003

Kenny was my buddy Dave's big brother, who "wrenched" on our motor bikes when they broke down ...

Edward Estes
349 W. Ave H, Griffith, IN 46319
eee@dem.ffni.com

31 May 2004

Kenny -

We never knew you, but knew your family. We found your Aunt Catherine and Uncle "Mac" McIntosh in Bloomfield while researching our family history. They were very proud of you and your heritage. Your father was one of 12 children, 10 of whom served in the military. You were not the only Crody to give his life for our country.

You will be remembered and loved for eternity. Rest in Peace.

From your fourth cousin,
Donald D. and Joyce A. Kelley
Kouts, In
djkelley@niia.net

4 Jun 2004

God Bless ya, Kenny! This is yer old Huntin buddy from Griffith, Danny Baker! Been thinkin bout ya since so long ago! See ya in "The Happy Hunting Grounds"! Danny, Semper Fi! De Oppresso Libre!

From a friend,
Danny Baker
26439 Hwy 76, Santa Ysabel Ca 92070
teret@ltsp.com

20 Jul 2004

FROM THE VIRTUAL WALL
The two entries below are from the families of
SSgt Jerry W. Hendrix and Cpl Kenneth L. Crody.
They are being published in this manner on both memorials.




Kenny is going to be buried on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia with a full military funeral. I never thought this day would come, but I am so thankful that it has.

From Ken Crody's sister,
Bev Crody O'Brien
beverly8366@aol.com




They are to be buried together in Arlington Cemetery in Washington, DC. My sister, her two sons, and Cpl. Crody's parents are trying to pick a date together for the service. I will be flying to Washington, DC, with other family members for the service. From what I understand, they will be buried with full honors. I am so glad to see some Vietnam boys being treated and honored as they should be for sacrificing their lives for us to stay free and to help others do the same.

From Jerry Hendrix' sister-in-law,
Beverly Moore
beverlylmoore@aol.com

20 Apr 2006

I never knew Corporal Kenneth L. Crody. From everything I have read I wish I could have had the opportunity, he sounds like he was an outstanding individual.

I am a former Marine and have for many years worn a MIA bracelet with Cpl Crody's name and additional information. I can't remember where I came across the bracelet, but I remember choosing it because he was a brother. I've worn this bracelet with pride for many years and will contine to do so.

I am grateful that I will now be able to tell the story of what happened to Cpl Crody and that he was a loved and missed young man who died way too soon and that he is now at rest in Arlington National Cemetery. I receive several inquiries a day from people asking what kind of bracelet I have on.

David B. Birch
dmbirch3@sbcglobal.net

Notes from The Virtual Wall

CPL Kenneth Crody was assigned as a door gunner with HMM-165 embarked in USS TRIPOLI (LPH 10).

On the morning of July 11, 1972, Crody's CH-53D helicopter (BuNo 156658) launched from the USS TRIPOLI to insert South Vietnamese Marines behind enemy lines near Communist-occupied Quang Tri City, Republic of Vietnam. The CH-53 carried 50 Vietnamese Marines, an American crew of five and a combat photographer from BLT 1/9.

While approaching the drop zone and while still 100 feet above the ground, the helicopter was struck in the starboard engine by a heat-seeking SA-7 missile. The detonation of the SA-7’s 5.5 pound warhead sent engine turbine fragments into the passenger compartment. The pilot autorotated the flaming aircraft to the ground in a controlled "crash and burn" procedure. Two crewmembers were killed outright and a third seriously injured. Most of the Vietnamese troops on board were killed, with only seven returning to friendly lines. The helicopter was completely destroyed by fire and the detonation of ammunition carried by the Vietnamese. The surviving Americans took shelter in a nearby bomb crater and hunkered down as the wreckage cooled and NVA soldiers poked through the remains.

At dusk, a Vietnamese Marine patrol located them and brought them to friendly lines. American Army helicopters returned them to their ship.

Three crewmen died as a result of the crash:

  • SSgt Jerry Wayne Hendrix (died outright, body not recovered)
  • SSgt Clyde K Nelson (rescued, died of wounds 09 August 1972)
  • Cpl Kenneth L Crody (died outright, body not recovered)
Additional information is available on the Pop-A-Smoke and the POWNetwork sites.


- Update -

The remains of SSgt Hendrix and Cpl Crody were repatriated on 29 August 2000, with positive identifications announced on 22 and 23 Apr 2004 respectively.


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
his sister,
Bev Crody O'Brien
beverly8366@aol.com
4 Jul 2001



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 04/21/2006