Marines, Corpsmen, & Others,
I’m assisting Jack Kull, HISTORIAN/Contractor for SNA International, working MACVSOG losses for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), to help solve a mystery surrounding the crash of a CH-46 helicopter during a Special Operations Group (SOG) mission in Laos on March 3, 1967. This is an effort to uncover more information about what happened to the aircraft and to Special Forces SGT Howard Bruce Carpenter [Panel 16E Line 26] of Youngstown, Ohio, who was killed while defending the downed chopper and crew. He remains unaccounted for, and we’re hoping to bring more clarity to this long-standing mystery.
Here’s what we know so far:
– The CH-46 was disabled on March 3, 1967, while inserting a SOG Hatchet Force into the GOLF 6 target area in Laos as part of SLAM III. The front rotor hit a banana tree, rendering the aircraft inoperable.
– The CH-46 crew survived the crash and were successfully extracted several days later when the Hatchet Force was finally recovered.
– Carpenter was the only US KIA on that LZ.
– Not-related but Dom Borja, another SOG trooper, was lost Feb 21, 1967, in that same target area and remains unaccounted for.
– A USMC repair team was scheduled for insertion into the LZ for the following day, March 4, to attempt repairs on the CH-46, but that did not take place. The bird was ultimately abandoned due to increasing North Vietnamese Army (NVA) activity in the area.
– Airstrikes were called in to destroy the chopper. It is unclear whether the airstrikes fully destroyed the aircraft or what, if any wreckage remains.
– The body of SGT Howard Carpenter, who had been killed defending the crash site, was reportedly placed near the ramp of the CH-46. His remains have never been recovered. His casualty date is listed as March 6, 1967. His unit is listed as DET B-50 (PROJECT DELTA), CCN, MACV-SOG, 5TH SF GROUP, USARV.
– Records indicate that two CH-46s, BuNo 152540 and 151944, were lost within the March 1967 time frame, but both appear to have survived the war, raising further questions about the identity of the downed helicopter.
– Information in the DPAA case file suggests that Ronald Chellman may have associated with the downed CH-46 crew. NFI. Arlington has a grave marker for a Ronald Jerry Chellman (Died in 2005), LTC US Army. Not sure if this is the same person. Could he have transitioned from USMC to fly for Army?
– The location of the crash is believed to be in the A Shau Valley, literally on a ridgeline on the Lao-Vietnam border.
Questions for the community:
1. Does anyone recall a CH-46 crash in the A Shau Valley on March 3-4, 1967, particularly one where the front rotor was damaged upon insertion?
2. Does anyone remember the Marine unit or any personnel involved in the crash or the subsequent extraction on March 7, 1967?
3. Are there any records, logs, or declassified documents that reference a CH-46 loss in this timeframe and location?
4. Did any Marine aviation personnel participate in or have knowledge of the airstrikes called in on the downed CH-46?
5. Does anyone have any knowledge of SGT Howard Carpenter’s actions that day or his possible location at the time of extraction?
6. Can anyone provide information on Ronald Chellman and confirm whether he was indeed the pilot of the downed CH-46?
7. Are there any firsthand accounts or veteran recollections of this event that might help in identifying the exact location or the disposition of the helicopter and the missing personnel?
Any information, no matter how small, could be vital in piecing together the details of this mission and potentially helping to bring closure to the family of SGT Carpenter. If you have any details or can connect us with anyone who might, please post in the comments section below.
Thank you for your time and assistance.
Semper Fi
Photo: Source
At the time of this incident, I was a pilot with HMM-164 and had been supporting SOG out of Khe Sanh. Their command was 5th SF Group out of Phu Bai. My relief at SOG was then Major Chuck Pitman. HMM-165. He may have been involved at this time. I do recall my Assistant Maintenance Officer 1stLt P. T. Looney having spent the night with his downed CH-46 in the vicinity of Ashau while in support of SOG, and that they were greatful for the 50 cals. This would seem to fit the timing. Lt Looney may have been involved a bird with 165 at the time. The AAR’s from SOG should be available at either the National Archives or at Fort Bragg. When I had occasion to view some of their documents at the Archives, they were so redacted they were almost useless because of the TS classification. The SOG DET CO and OPs officer at Khe Sanh were Maj van Sickle and Major Gerry Wilborn.
Read this article and thought I would see what I could find. I went to the Texas Tech site Records of War / Vietnam. I believe the CH-46 was from HMM-165, a unit with MAG-36. It states, A/C came under intense enemey fire and damaged during landing while on a classified mission. The A/C was later destoryed. I think there were about 9 other A/C involved in that mission from other units. I also believe there were some different units involved in recovery efforts on 7 March. I’m a member of Together We Serve (TWS), you might find someone there who knows more about that incident. I may find more in my search. Semper Fi / HMH-463 68-69
I was a door gunner around that time and our 46 did go dawn. MAG 36. I’m 78 now and can’t recall much. We operated out of Quang Tri. I did two tours over there, part of 67 all of 68 then part of 69. I do have a photograph of myself, the crew chef and the pilot receiving the PH.
Wally, there were only a couple of ’46 squadrons in country at that time. I arrived in August, UH-34D. Searching squadron records (after action reports) for around the incident date might reveal enough info to answer the questions. University of Texas has a database on line for most, if not all, Marine units in RVN.