Dennis William Dotson

The database page for Dennis William Dotson

30 Jul 2005 Lieutenant, you always did your job. You were a true leader. You cared first for your men, and I would have followed you anywhere. No words can express just what I lost at your passing. Until we meet again may God hold you close, "tailgunner". I can still recall your strength in bad times and your laughter in good times, though there were few enough of those. I am honored to have served with you. James Owens former Sergeant, 3rd Plt, B Co 1/14th 1969-1970 jhowensjr@rcn.com

02 Oct 2006 You became a hero, who ever knew. You fought and died for our country, but even today you are honored with pride! From Kristen Cail E-Mail will be forwarded by the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

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, 52nd Avn Bn, 17th Avn Grp, 1st Avn Bde: 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."

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a friend, James H Owens Jr jhowensjr@rcn.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 30 Jul 2005
Last updated 10/14/2006