10 Jun 2004 Dennis, I know there are others that knew you better and could say more. You were a good man, excellent crew chief, and a friend. You are missed by those who knew you and loved you. When we flew together I knew I never had to worry about the condition of the ship.

 

Notes from The Virtual Wall In February 1971, US air and South Vietnamese ground forces were heavily engaged in the Tchepone area of Laos in an effort to disrupt enemy use of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Air support for these forces flew from a number of base camps along the Lao/SVN border. On 20 Feb 71 DUSTOFF 30, a UH-1H (tail number 69-15273) of the 498th Medical Company, was on standby at Khe Sanh. The crew consisted of WO John V. Rauen, Seattle, WA, pilot WO John M. Souther, Los Angeles, CA, copilot SP4 Dennis E. Gilliland, Globe, AZ, crew chief SP4 John J. Levulis, Blasdell, NY, medic At about 2150 DUSTOFF 30 was alerted for an extended medevac mission. The aircraft commander elected to refuel his aircraft before departure and was cleared to fly from the 498th Med hardstand to the refueling point. The short flight and the refueling were accomplished without incident. Upon completion, Khe Sanh tower cleared DUSTOFF 30 for takeoff. DUSTOFF 30 lifted off heading north and climbed to about 60 to 80 feet before banking to a southeasterly heading. As it reached the approach end of Runway 09 it entered a heavy bank of ground fog. Witnesses stated that DUSTOFF 30 then made a hard descending left turn to clear the fog, but impacted the ground. The aircraft continued in motion for several hundred feet, breaking into two main pieces. Warrant Officer Rauen and SP4 Gilliland died in the crash. The other two men survived the crash itself but died of injuries received, SP4 Levulis on 21 Feb 71 and Warrant Officer Souther on 26 Feb 71.

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