13 Jul 2003 On 11 April 1969, a CH-46A, BuNo 153332, of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 was conducting a routine flight when without warning it broke up in midair and crashed, killing the four crewmen aboard: 1st Lt Laurie E. Barnes, pilot 1st Lt Donald C. Bosbery, copilot SSgt Beverly L. Barnhart, crew chief Sgt Charles Henry Meeks Jr, gunner After the wreckage was recovered and examined, it was determined that the cause was a catastrophic blade failure - one of the three forward rotor blades failed due to metal fatigue. When the one blade failed it produced enormous unbalanced load conditions on the forward rotor head and forward transmission causing them to be literally torn from the aircraft. During this disintegration process, some of the debris impacted the aft rotor system and pylon and it too was torn from the helicopter. These four men, and the other Purple Foxes who served in Vietnam, are remembered by the women who waited at home, whether mothers, sisters, daughters, or friends. Those women, the the Purple Foxy Ladies continue to support today's Purple Foxes of HMM-364 as they serve our country. Visit the Purple Foxes on-line or go to our unit page on The Virtual Wall A memorial initiated by the Purple Foxy Ladies Foxyladiesgroup@aol.com

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