Rodger Lee Fortune

The database page for Rodger Lee Fortune

09 Nov 2005 Rodger, in 2001 I heard that you had lost your life defending our country. It had been many long years since you had given the ultimate sacrifice. I will always remember your kindness, your big brown eyes and your zest for life. I'm sure you fought with that same zest for life. May you rest in peace. Each day as I hoist the American Flag in the front of our home in Temecula I remember you and your family and the sacrifice you all made. Until we meet again. Melanie Griffiths Kuehnel Classmate 40174 Calle Caleta, Temecula, Ca. 92591 (951) 308-2410 melankuehn@aol.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall At about 2100 (9 PM) on 26 May 1967 a light fire team consisting of aircraft 66-677 and 66-673 were called out by the 51st ARVN Ranger Battalion at Ben Luc, RVN, to investigate suspected VC activity. The team arrived on-scene at approximately 2130 hours. They began a visual reconnaissance of the area with the assistance of flares fired by the artillery. At 2230 hours the two aircraft met in an apparent head-on collision, exploded, fell to the ground in flames, killing all nine men aboard: In UH-1C 66-00673: CPT Robert L. Mosher, Newport, RI, pilot, D Troop, 3/5 Cav 1LT Jack L. Dodson, Kimberly, ID, pax, 191st AHC WO Robert W. Cook, Claiborne, MD, copilot, D Troop, 3/5 Cav SP4 Rodger L. Fortune, Santa Ana, CA, gunner, D Troop, 3/5 Cav SP4 Melvin L. Martz, Manton, MI, crew chief, D Troop, 3/5 Cav In UH-1C 66-00677: CPT Norman R. Kidd, Montrose, CA, pilot, 191st AHC CPT Gene F. Matthews, Anson, ME, copilot, D Troop, 3/5 Cav SP5 George D. Bennett, Grantsboro, NC, crew chief, D Troop, 3/5 Cav SP4 Joseph D. Le Grand, Breaux Bridge, LA, gunner, D Troop, 3/5 Cav

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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