05 June 2003 The photo and following article is taken from The Philadelphia Daily News, special supplement entitled 'SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY,' October 26, 1987. The special supplement was issued in conjunction with the dedication of the Philadelphia Viet Nam Memorial. Hertz, a helicopter pilot, was the first Marine from Philadelphia to die in Viet Nam. The first lieutenant died in Chu Lai, Quang Tin Province, on June 6, 1965, five days before his 25th birthday. He had attended Philadelphia grade schools, and enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1963. Hertz was survived by his wife. SEMPER FIDELIS, MARINE! From a native Philadelphian and Marine, Jim McIlhenney christianamacks@comcast.net

 

21 Jan 2007 It's been a long time. Rest in peace, my brother, rest in peace. Elmer Pence Class of 1961 Springfield High School 201 Third Street, Beach Haven, N. J. 08008 elmerpence@att.net

 

22 May 2007 Allen Conrad Hertz was my oldest cousin, on my father's side of the family. He was married in a Marine Corps ceremony and bought a house in Hawaii shortly before his deployment to Viet Nam. I will never forget the pride I felt as our family walked under the crossed sabers that the Marines held high. He was and is still my hero. I was ten years old at the time of his death. I enlisted in the Marine Corps October 28, 1973. Semper Fi, Allen. Harry Garner A native Philadelphian and Marine hgarner8@yahoo.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 07 May 1965, U. S. Marines from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade began landing near Chu Lai. HMM-161 was one of the helicopter squadrons which supported the initial landings. Initially embarked in USS PRINCETON (LPH-5), HMM-161 shifted to USS IWO JIMA (LPH-2) which remained offshore Chu Lai until 07 June 1965 in order to support the Regimental Landing Team ashore. On 06 June 1965, two HMM-161 UH-34 helicopters launched from USS IWO JIMA for a pre-dawn search and rescue mission, but the two helicopters apparently collided in mid-air at 0510 and both fell into the sea. Eight Marines were killed in the accident: In UH-34D BuNo 148791 1stLt Gerald Otto McKay, pilot 1stLT Nicolaus August Doeden, copilot CPL Gary Dale Tracy, crewman PFC Curtis Lamarr Foster, crewman In UH-34D BuNo 148820 CAPT Paul Francis McNally, pilot 1stLT Allen Conrad Hertz, copilot CPL Frank Willard Wilson, crewman LCPL Carl Edward McBee, crewman From the Pop-A-Smoke site

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