06 Jun 2002
Gary L. Conaway, ADR1
United States Navy
In the fall of 1967, Patrol Squadron One (VP-1) was deployed to Naval Air Station, Sangley Point in the Republic of the Philippines. The Squadron had a detachment in Cam Ranh Bay, and the planes and crews rotated back and forth, spending about two weeks in Viet Nam on each cycle. VP-1's mission in Viet Nam was known as Operation Market Time. This mission required continuous patrols along coastal waters of South Viet Nam in order to prevent infiltration of enemy supplies or troops from the sea. Our aircraft was the Lockheed, P2V-7 Neptune which carried a crew of 11. Petty Officer Conaway was a member of my crew.
Gary was the Plane Captain of Crew 8 and leader of the six other enlisted crew members. He was a dedicated worker whose mechanical skills enabled him to detect the smallest problem with the aircraft and made sure it was fixed before the next flight. Gary was a pleasure to fly with and always performed the task given him with a sense of commitment and professionalism. He did everything asked of him, and more.
The flight schedule at Cam Ranh Bay was very demanding since operations were conducted 24 hours a day. Off duty time was minimal, but when possible, the crews frequently went swimming at a nearby beach as a way to relax. On the evening of October 23rd, Crew Eight began a long nighttime patrol that lasted almost 9 hours. After landing early the next morning, some of the crew decided to go for a swim. Tragically, there was a hidden undertow in the normally placid waters of the South China Sea that day. Petty Officer Conaway and a second crew member became trapped in the rip current and could not make it back to shore. When the rescue helicopter arrived, it was too late. Both men had drowned. Their friends tried to help them, but were unsuccessful, barely surviving themselves.
War claims lives in many ways. Not all deaths occur as a result of enemy fire, but each death is a heartrending tragedy for surviving family, friends and comrades. Gary Conaway died in the service of our country, and his death was a great loss to all who knew him.
Mel Hinton
Lieutenant, USNR (1967)
Plane Commander,
VP-1, Crew 8
mfhinton@hotmail.com
