Dennis William O'Melia

Chief Warrant Officer
61ST AHC, 223RD AVN BN, 17TH AVN GRP, 1 AVN BDE
Army of the United States
06 May 1941 - 22 August 1978
Smithfield, North Carolina
Panel 05W Line 023

1 AVN BDE UH-1 HUEY 61ST AHC
Army Aviator

Air Medal, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign
Dennis O'Melia

The database page for Dennis William O'Melia

03 April 2002

My name is Michael O'Melia, and I am the son of Dennis. Dennis is
still survived by his father, Fred, who lives near Raleigh, NC. I
am interested in speaking with any family members of others involved
in this case and those who knew him at the time of the loss.

Thank You!

Michael O'Melia



5 Mar 2004

Sadly, Dennis's father, and my grandfather, passed away, July 5, 2002. Grandpa never found out in life what ever happened to my father. Surely, he is in Heaven and finally with his son again.

From Dennis' son,
Mike O'Melia
3202 Dry Stone Cir, Hampton Cove, Al, 35763
bomelia@comcast.net

8 Feb 2002

You are not forgotten!

Rolling Thunder Chapter 1 - North Carolina

Visit the Rolling Thunder memorial to
Dennis O'Melia

A memorial initiated by one who wore his MIA bracelet,
Mike Surles
nvr4get@hotmail.com

15 Nov 2002

To those that gave all.
You are in my thoughts and prayers each and every day.
May you and/or your families find peace.
With love and honor.

From one who wears his MIA bracelet,
Lori Asevedo
work@military.com

28 Apr 2005

The Moving Wall arrived yesterday at the high school where I teach. My thoughts immediately went to the name on my POW/MIA bracelet that I wore in high school, as inscribed "WO2 DENNIS OMELIA." I humbly thank Dennis and all Vietnam Veterans for their service and their families for their sacrifice. God Bless!

Irene Barry
E-mail address is not available.

A Note from The Virtual Wall

At about 0900 03 Jan 1971 a U-6A BEAVER (serial #52-25884) departed Qui Nhon on an administrative support flight to Ban Me Thuot, South Vietnam, carrying crewmen from the 61st AHC to collect replacement helicopters for the company. The helicopter crewmen would then fly the helicopters back to Qui Nhon.

At 1120 hours, with the U-6 about 14 miles southeast of Phu Cat, radio and radar contact with the plane was lost. Because the pilot, Captain F. A. Rhodes, had announced plans to remain overnight at Ban Me Thuot, no immediate search was made. When search efforts were begun on 5 January, no trace of the aircraft or its seven occupants could be found. Formal search efforts ended on 9 January 1971.

The seven men aboard the U-6 were placed in MIA status. As time progressed, the Secretary of the Army approved Presumptive Findings of Death for them and on the dates in parentheses below their status was changed to "Died while Missing". Their remains have not been repatriated.

  • MAJ Ferris A. Rhodes, Greenwood, SC, pilot, HHC, 223rd Avn Bn (08/14/1978)

  • 61st AHC crewmen (passengers)
    • CPT Michael D. Parsons, Reno, NV (04/03/1975)
    • CWO Luis G. Holguin, Oxnard, CA (10/30/1978)
    • CWO Thomas R. Okerlund, Seattle, WA (11/06/1978)
    • CWO Dennis W. O'Melia, Smithfield, NC (08/22/1978)
    • SP6 Patrick J. Magee, Alder, MT (04/07/1976)
    • SP6 Carl A. Palen, Dubuque, IA (08/22/1978)





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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 08/10/2009