28 Dec 2003 I have no bracelet for this Marine, as I have adopted him, but I will hold him in my heart as I do others. Gone but not forgotten. Please hurry home to us. Millie 31 May 2004 Today another Memorial Day has come and gone. And here you have still not returned home to us. I only Hope and Pray soon you will be back home with us. From the girl who has adopted you. Always in my heart and thoughts. Come home soon, Millie Kohr codyfever@aol.com

 

25 Apr 2005 I have held his bracelet for the past 6 years. I pray daily that you and all of the other men and women that remain unaccounted for return home to us. Tony Zucarelli tonyzucarelli@cox.net

 

15 May 2006 Though I have no relationship to John I have had his bracelet since November 1987. I have adopted him and my son now knows of him. Over the years I have come to think of him as part of the family. I wait for the day that I hear of his return. I wrote this poem thinking of him and I dedicate it to all those men who never came home. Thank You How can I ever thank you? Left us much too soon. You had dreams I will never see, Thoughts I will never hear. How can I ever thank you? To stand when many would cower Leaving your world behind Standing tall in the face of fear. How can I ever thank you? Forever in my mind, You are my hero As I wipe away my tearï¿ 1/2 I thank you! 1/22/06 copyright 2006 Thomas Bensen bensen32@comcast.net

 

Notes from The Virtual Wall On 11 June 1967 a reconnaissance team from the 3rd Force Recon Company was scheduled for insertion into position on the southern border of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) four kilometers north of Hill 208 and 900 meters west of Hill 174, both well known NVA positions. The insertion force consisted of two CH-46As from HMM-265 and two UH-1E gunships from VMO-2. The lead CH-46A (BuNo 150270) carried four crewmen and seven men of the recon team: From HMM-265: MAJ John S. Oldham, Tinnie, NM CPT Curtis R. Bohlscheid, Pocatello, ID LCPL Jose J. Gonzalez, El Paso, TX PFC Thomas M. Hanratty, Beulah, CO From 3rd Force Recon Company: CPL Jim E. Moshier, Bakersfield, CA LCPL Dennis R. Christie, Imperial Beach, CA LCPL John J. Foley, Plainfield, NJ LCPL Michael W. Havranek, Missoula, MT LCPL James W. Kooi, Fruitport, MI PFC Charles D. Chomel, Columbus, IN PFC James E. Widener, Churchville, NY Hank Trimble, pilot of one of the VMO-2 gunship escorts, recalls that three insertion attempts were made. The first and second attempts were aborted due to enemy activity and fire in the intended landing zones, but the third LZ was clear. As the CH-46 approached the LZ it "transitioned to landing speed, in almost slow motion his nose rose, then rose more sharply, then climbed toward the vertical. Then the aircraft rolled inverted, split S, and dived down and exploded." Trimble's recollection is that there was no evident enemy action and that the likely cause was mechanical failure. The crash was not survivable. The enemy presence in the area prohibited recovery of the bodies at the time, and as of 28 Dec 2003 their remains have not been repatriated. Notes The POW Network page contains the statement that "Machinegunmen had been waiting for the opportune time to fire on the aircraft. Portions of the rear blades were seen to separate from the aircraft and a radio transmission was received from the aircraft indicating that it had been hit." and the Task Force Omega page states that "Capt. Bohlscheid radioed that they had been hit by machinegun fire". No source is given for these statements, which contradict Trimble's recollection that there was no observed enemy fire or radio call stating that the aircraft had been hit.

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