Eugene Paul Shumbris

The database page for Eugene Paul Shumbris

11 Nov 2006 Eugene was my best friend during OCS at Fort Eustis and I saw him again in-country at his home base there in Vietnam. I actually stayed with him the night before his flight went down. In fact I was supposed to be on that flight but had to take a call from my office, 1st Logistical Command in Long Binh. I was planning to take the next flight out to join him. I often think of Gene and wish I had seen his baby that he never got to see and say my regrets to his wife. I'm sure I was introduced to his wife at our OCS graduation program and dance at Fort Eustis, Virgina. If anyone reading this has any information that would help me locate the family please contact me. In loving and respectful memory to my departed comrade. From a friend and fellow officer, Alan D Miller 128 Rocky Branch Circle, Macon, N C 27551 mllrthym@gloryroad.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 09 Dec 1969 a UH-1H (tail number 68-16220) of A Company, 123rd Aviation Battalion, was flying a routine shuttle mission for the 23rd Division (AMERICAL) Support Command. The aircraft departed the Americal Division headquarters helipad about 0730 and proceeded to Minh Long. At Minh Long, all passengers debarked and three passengers were boarded. The aircraft departed Minh Long enroute to Ba To with a crew of four and three passengers. Although a light rain was falling, the flight crew believed they could reach Ba To under visual flight conditions by remaining in a valley. However, as the copilot climbed to pass over a saddle at grid coordinates BS507468 they entered clouds. The pilot took control of the aircraft, began a 500-feet-per-minute climb, and began a left turn to an easterly heading. As the aircraft approached a 090 degree heading, still in the clouds, a mountainside was seen through the chin bubble. The pilot attempted an emergency climb but wasn't able to crest the hill. The aircraft hit skids-first and broke up, with the cabin section travelling some 140 feet before coming to a halt and burning. The pilot survived with injuries, but the other six men were killed in the crash: Air crew: WO Ward L. Hooper, copilot, Santa Ana, CA (A Co, 123rd Avn Bn) SP4 Michael J. McClane, crew chief, Mount Carmel, IL (A Co, 123rd Avn Bn) SP5 Edward F. Fratus, gunner, Concord, NH (E Co, 73rd Maint Bn) Passengers: LTC Karl F. Lange, West Allis, WI (HQ, 1st Log Cmd) MAJ Roger W. Heinz, Coventry, CT (5th Special Forces Group) CPT Eugene P. Shumbris, Bayside, NY (HHC, 23rd Div Spt Cmd)

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a friend and fellow officer, Alan D Miller 128 Rocky Branch Circle, Macon, N C 27551 mllrthym@gloryroad.net

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 11 Nov 2006
Last updated 11/17/2006