The following "Annual Supplement" has been scanned in and added for your benefit. In time I hope to have all the scanning errors worked out. Adding this as a text document rather than as a .jpg file allows the reader to cut and past sections out of the file, takes up less space on the server, and also allows the reader to use the "find" function under "edit" in his browser to look for particular names. I am going to work on the names first, and other text later. Enjoy, check back from time to time and see if I have added more to this history section. If you need to see any part of this document that I have not yet corrected, please email me and I'll get right on it. David Chandler ANNUAL SUPPLEMENT HISTORY OF THE 21ST AVIATION COMPANY (SURVEILLANCE AIRPLNE LIGHT) 212TH COMBAT SUPPORT AVIATION BATTALION 1ST AVIATION BRIGADE 1 January 1967 - 31 December 1967 Prepared by Captain Dick H, Forrester "Unit Historical Officer" APPROVED BY /signed/ GEORGE W. MOSES MAJ INF Commanding Chu Lai Republic of Vietnam APO 96374 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TABLE OF CQNTENTS TITLE PAGE page i V0LE OF CONTENTS CHApTER I: Heraldzy p age 1 CH1,PTER II: Unit Formation and Preparation for Overseas Movement page 1 C&PTER III: Overseas Movement and tn-Countly Training page 3 CH1,PTER IVi ttnit Combat Operations page 4 CHAPTER V: Command and Control page 6 CHAPTER VI& Equipment and Installations page 7 CHLPTER VII: Reflections page 8 APPENDIX 1: Unit Patch page 10 LPPENDIX 2s Map of ireas of Operations page 11 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -DEPARTMENT OF TH3 ARMY 2lSt RECONNAISSANCE AIRPLANE COMPANY "BLACK ACES" APO 96374 7 March 1968 CHAPTER I Heraldry. The 21st Aviation Company (Surveillance Airplane Light) has no Predecessor units accorrding to the records of The Adjutant Generals Office. I The 21st Aviation Company was constituted on 27 February 1958 in the Regular Amy, and activated on 24 March 1958 at Fort Rucker, Alabama. The 21st was attached to the 2nd Battle Group, 31st Infantry and had the mission of providing support for the Army Aviation School at Fort T @ t@r `i activated there on 24 September 1965. The oc=,srj' w- --2tel again on I Januazy 1967 at Fort Lewis, Washington. 2 The 21st Aviation Company does not fall under the catagory of units listed in Para 14-18a, AR 67.-3. dated 23 September 1966, and is not authorized a distinctive unit crest. 1 CHAPTER -II Unit Formation and Preparation for Overseas Movement On I January 1967, General Order Number 242, Headquarters 6th U. S. Army authorized the activation of the 21st Aviation Company (Surveillance Airplane Light). The unit was formed under para from TOE 1-7D (Headquarters), 1-59D (Flight Platoons), and 50-500R (Service Platoon) with an authorized strength of 32 Officers, 1 Warrant Officer and 95 Enlisted men. As of 1 January 1967 there -were 15 Officers and 1 Warrant Officer on station. ______________________ 1 Ltr, Da, AGAH-A, dtd 30 Jan 67, Subj: Hist, Insignia and Guidon for the 21st Aviation Company 2 Ltr, DA, OCMH dtd 6 Feb 67, Subj: Unit History Page 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 21st was activated at Fort Lewis for the purpose of equipping and training the unit for overseas movement to Viet- nam. The unit was authorized 24 0-1 aircraft for perfoxmance of its assigned missions of Aerial Surveillance, Radio Relay, Artillery Adjustmentp and Forward Air Control, The original authorization was contained in the applicable paragraph from the TOE's listed in paragraph 1 above with minor modifications specified by General Order 242. Howeverp as the unit began to receive the authorized equipment it was readily apparent that the equipment authorized was not corapatible with the aircraft and mission of the unit. The primary area of in- compatibility was in the flight platoons which were authorized equipment under paragraph's 3 and 4 of TOE 1-59D for a fixed wing light transport airplane comparW. A meeting was held with the G-4 Fort Lewis and it was agreed that the 21st should submit an MOB for equipment only. An MTOZ was prepared and submitted in early February. After minor modifications the MOB was ap- proved at post level and forwarded to Sixth ArnW. With this problem solved, the unit continuod"to draw equipment and by ca.@ly March the majority of equipment had been reoeivede The 24 0-1 aircraft assigned to the unit were picked up by unit pilots at Wichitaq Kansas in February and March. The last ferry flight was completed on 15 March. All the aircraft were O-lG models which had been rebuilt at Wichita. During Februa.W and early March the oomparW conducted train- ing classes in preparation for the unit ATT scheduled in early April. The majority of the classes conducted during this period were concerned with individual training. On 12 March when the first 12 aircraft were received,, the emphasis switched to aviator and unit training on a platoon or section basis, The majority of the aviators were newly assigned from Fort Rucker having just com- ploted their flight training. Emphasis was placed on training those aviators in tactical omploymont of the 0-1 and in becoming qualified with the 2.75" rockot system mounted on the aircraft. There wore no rocket systems available at Fort Lowisp so systems were fabricated from rocket tubes and brackets fabricated by the Supply Division at Fort Lewis based on specifications drawn up by CW3 Anderson the unit Maintenance Technician. The system designed was based on systomz used by CW3 Anderson on a previous tour in Vietnam. In March, a contest was hold to determine a unit nickname and design a unit pocket patch since information received from units in Page 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vietnam indicated all aviation companies in Vietnam had a dis- tinctive name and patche A pt.,.toh as shown in Appendix I was selected and the name 'Slack Jack" was adopted. On 26 Aprill the 21st bcgpn its IM and completed it on 28 April@ A satisfactory rating was obtained and the formal unit training for overseas movement was completed. During May, the 21st oomplptod POR qualifications require- ments and prepared the unit equipment for'shipment. The per- sonnel and equipment were divided into three (3) groups- Ln advance party to tr,-,vol by air including the Commanding Officer, Operations Officer, Supply Officer and two (2) EM, s group of 27 personnel to aocompwW tho aircraft, and a main body under the Executive Officer to travel by troop transport. CHLIPTER III Overseas Movement and In-Country Training The anirorr-St were ferried to Sharpe Depot on 20 Mayl andcnl Juno 1967, the 24-aircraft departed Ilomoda California aboard the USNS Point Cruz, CPT Gideon, CPT 'jiderson and SFC Clark with 24 W accompanied the aircraft. The Point Cruz arrived at Vung Tau on 20 Jun and the aircraft were off loaded and assembled for dolivoxy to the unit location at Tay Ninh. Lasombly was completed by 15 July. The main body departed Onlclandt California on 9 June aboard the USNS Nelson M. Walker. They arrived at Vung Tau on 27 Jum and wore airl if tod to TV Ninh the morning of the 28th. The -.dv,-,.nce party departed Fort Lewis on 20 June and arrived in Saigon on 21 June. 2.ftor a briefing by the 12th Combat .6,viation Group, they were turned over to the 269th Combat _'-viation Battalion for further briefing and assistance in proparaction for the arrival of the company. The sponsor unit for the 21st was the 187th As., Sault Helicopter Company, which was assistod by other 269th battal- ion units, The conox containers which had accompanied the main body wore b.--rgod to &-@igon arO. were transported to T,-,y Ninh by S&T trucks from the 40th Transportation Group. Page 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A small amount of equipment and a trail party of 1 man arrived at Saigon on 8 July. The 21st completed its move to Toy Ninh on 10 July without loss or major damage to a single item of equipment* A program of in-count37 training was coordinated with the 184th Aviation Company and the 74th Aviation Company. The unit IP's were checked out between 26 June and 3 July. During the period 4-17 July the pilots received orientation briefings and conducted orientation flights with these com- panies. By 28 July the comparW had achieved operational statusy and the first combat mission assigned to the 21st was flown on 26 July 1967. The 21st had the unit titla Mack Jack" upon arrival in Vietnam. Howevery it was discovered that the BHC 12th Combat Aviation Group also had the title of "Black Jack", In order to avoid duplication, the 21st "agreed" to find a new desig- nation and '@Black Aces" was selected. CHAPTER IV Unit Combat Operations During the period 20 June thru 31 December 67s, the 21st Aviation Company flew 169372 combat hours in support of III Corps units. Primarily missions were flown for II Field For- ces with the majority in the 25th Infantry Division area of operations. Missions varied and included artille:ry adjustment, convoy controls forward air control, radio relay, visual recon- naissance and night counter mortar watch. Approximately one- fourth of the hours were flown at night. In addition to the 25th Divisions units supported included Corps Artilleryp III Corps ARVNI 9th Infantry Divisions lst Infanti-I Division,, 101st Airborne Divisions and U. S. Special Forces. Twenty (20) aircraft were stationed at Tay Ninh with the remaining four (4) aircraft remoted to Duc Hoa (3) and Tan An (1). These four (4) aircraft were in direct support of the 25th ARVN Division and flow all of their missions in support of that unit. During this period the 21st Aviation Company participated in several major operations with the 25th Divisions which in- cluded Operation Saratoga and Operation Yellowstone. In addi- tion the lst platoon which was commanded by CPT Charles R. Welsh roceived a letter of appreciation for the support his platoon Page 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- rendered to the Corps Artillery units stationed in the Quan Loi-Looh Ninh area* The comments contained in this letter are indicative of the lype support rendered by the pilots of the 21st Aviation Company, Several paragraph are quoted be- lows "These officers performed in an outstanding manner dur- ing this period and are to be commended. All are oonsoien- tiousp hard workingg devoted offices and were involved in lo- cating enemy mortar and rocket positions during actual attacks. During one bf-otho most important allied victories of 1967--The Battle of Loch Ninh--these individuals acted as pilots and ob- servers". "The 21st Reconnaissance Airplane Company has provided this battalion with the most reliable aviation support. It is my desire to have the pleasure of serving with this unit again". The section of the 3rd..platoon stationed at Duo Hoa in support of the ARVN 25th Division commanded by CPT Carl M. Propp received two (2) letters of commendation from the senior advisor for their support* This section had outstanding success with the two (2) aircraft "high - low" type of reconnaissance. The high aircraft navigatesp communicates and plots sightings for the low ship which is flying at tree top level. These teams worked closely with "on-call" gunship and forward air control teams to provide a highly effective team for seeking and des- troying Viet Cong elements. In addition to the normal missions of convoy controlp ar- tilleW adjustment and visual rooonnaissancep the 21st Aviation Company supported special forces teams with radio relay and re- connaissance, On two (2) seperate occasions pilots from the ccmp,vV were directly responsible for coordination of fire sup- port and control of ground units inserted to support patrols which had been ambushed by Viet Cong. This control and coor- dination resulted in successful extraction of the teams with heavy losses to the Viet Cong. Due to the nature of the missions assigned to the 21stp all missions are of a one or two ship nature and place considerable responsibility upon the individual pilot. The combat record of the 21st Lviation Company during the period 28 JulY-31 December 1967 can be looked upon with pride by all members as having been accomplished through teamwork and devotion to duty. The area of operations was generally the western two-thirds of the III Corps tactical zone. The general outline of the area Page 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- is shown on the maps in Appendix Two. The area was generally divided into two (2) distinct type areas which were delta flat land and wooded areas. The only high terrain of any signifig- nance were two (2) prominent hill formations one located about seven miles northeast of Tay Ninh known as Nui Ba Den (The Black Virgin) and Nui Ba Ra just south of Song Bee The south- west portion of the area was primarily rice paddies and pine- apple fields. Extensive rubber platLtations were located around Dau Tieng and Tay Ninh as well as around Xuan Loo and Bear Cat in the east central portion of the area. The northern half and eastern third of the areas were primarily heavily forested and sparsely populated. This area was primarily north of a line from Tay Ninh to Dau Tieng to Phu Cuong and then in an aro about 15-miles north and east of Saigon, The majority of of the Viet Cong activity was along the major waterways and in the heavi-ly wooded areas adjacent to the Cambodian Border, The 21st Aviation Company not only maintained one of the highest nmber of hours flown per monthp but also completed the year with the lowest accident rate of any 0-1 company which had been in Vietnam during the same period. The rate of 6.2 per 100,000 hours was well below the USARV average and could be looked upon with pride as having been obtained with- out sacrifice of mission accomplishment. The large percentage of night flights and the fact that seven (7) of the eight (8) months wore in the monsoon (Jun-Sep) or transitional period (Oct-Nov) made the record an even more outstanding accomplish- ment* The 21st also accomplished its mission without a combat loss although aircraft received hits on at least six (6) occas- ions and were sUbjeoted to ground fire on numerous missions. In mid-Decomberv the 21st received word it had been selected to m ove to the I Corps areas The year ended with the unit preparing for this move which actually took place in early January 1968. . CHAPTER V Command and Control The unit commanders and their period of assignment are as follows: Major Stephen J. Forsch 05301960 3 Jan - 5 Jan Major Myron N. Thompson 02092599 5 Jan - 30 Apr Major Ernest C. Strum 04016954 1 May - 12 Dec Major George W. Moses 073576 13 Dec - 31 Dec page 6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Executive Officers for 1967 were as follows: Major Stephen J. Forsch 05301960 6 Jan - 26 Jul Major Donald G. Andrews 077254 27 Jul - 27 Aug Major Bernard M. McInerney 089253 26 Aug - 18 Doc Captain William H. Schwend 099726 19 Dec - 31 Dec The 622nd Signal Detachment (4vionics Maintenance) was or- ganizod at Fort Lewis, Washington and attached to the 21st 4vi- ation ConparW on 16 Januaxy 1967. The detachment trained and deployed with the 21st Lviation Company and ronderod outstanding avionics support after arrival at Tay Ninh. In addition, the do- taohment personnel provided operator instruction and maintcra,=o support for the ground radios assigned to the 21st. l/LT Norman F. Colton, 05023497, was the detachment commander during the per- iod of 1 May - 31 December 1967. 2/LT Jerry L. Pope, 05328202, was the commander from 16 January through 30 4pril 1967- CHLPTER VI Equipment and Installations 1,s outlined in Chapter II, the 21st @Iviation Company was equipped undcr an MTOE eubmittod in JanuaW 1967. The major items of equipment woroi a. Airplane Observation Light O-lG 24 each b. Truck 1/4 Ton 7 each c. Truck 3/4 Ton 6 each d. Truck 2 1/2 Ton 3 each e. Truck Tanker 2 1/2 Ton 3 each f. Fire Fighting Equipment Set 1 each g. Truck Tractor Trailer 5 Ton 2 each h. Shop Set A/C Maint A-1 and A-2 1 each i. Radio Set AN/VRC-46 3 each j. Radio Set AN/VRC-47 5 each k. Radio Set AN/VRC-49 1 each The 21st Lviation Company was originally assigned to Tay Ninh Vietnam. Tents were provided by the sponsor unit and were mountod on wood frames. During the period 28 Jun - 31 Docembcr eight (8) wooden barracks, a shower, orderly room and moss hall were constructed by unit porsonnol anc. foundations had boon laid for tho roma-ining three (3) billets required. Page 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 588th Engineer Batta-lion provided support for the airfield faoilitics required, Weather delayed constrwtion of the ramp facilitiosp but, by 26 July the ra,(,p had been completed& During Lugust and Sopta:iberp two 2) 1 toon rovotmont line buildings, a maintenance office and four (4 shelters were constrw ted. The rovotment shelters provided limitod protection from rain and wore invaluable in allowing the unit to porforn maintenance during inclement weather In late Julyy the 21st began a project to constrwt air- craft ravotments as required by U&.RV* Those revoinents wore constructod of 1,1181.1 matting walls with earth fill and required many man-hours to construct. The fact that the 21st completed 24 of these rovatmonts by 27 August without intcnVtions in their comb,!@t mission and with vory limited support was indeed a major accorrplishment. In frctp the 21st Alviation CoLVany was the first @.viaticn Company in Viotnam to conploto all ro- quirod rovotnonts on a self help basis, The primaxy crodit for this accorTlishmont goes to Major Bernard M, MoInorneyp SFC John Do Clark and the '%UncIV Ravotmont Rats" CHAPTER VII Reflections The following awards have boon presented to mmbers of the 21st for service or achiovoriontdiring 1967 NAME RANK AWARD Richard H. Brady CPT Purple Heart, Basic Air Medal John D. Wagoner SP4 Purple Heart Norman L. Anderson CPT Basic Air Medal Kenneth H. Bardot CPT Basic Air Medal Charles T. Brown Jr. CPT Basic Air Medal Ronald 0. Collier 1IM Basic Air Medal David H. Conway 1LT Basic Air Medal Dane W. Devos 1LT Basic Air Medal Dick H. Forrester CPT Basic Air Medal Wendell R. Gideon CPT Basic Air Medal Cecil R. Gleason 1LT Basic Air Medal Gerhard Haimberger 1LT Basic Air Medal Leon Henderson 1LT Basic Air Medal Clark D. Hein CPT Basic AIR Medal James W. Lineberry CPT Air Medal 3-20 OLC Page 8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NAME, RANK, AWARD Ronald J. McNeese CPT Basic Air Medal John L. MacIsaac 1LT Air Medal 2-21 OLC Keith D. Moorhead 1LT Basic Air Medal William H. Parcells Jr, 1LT Basic Air Medal Carl M. Propp CPT Basic Air Medal William H. Road CPT Basic Air Mdal Hugh B. Roberson 1LT Basic Air Medal Richard K. Roberts 1LT Basic Air Medal Richard P. Rodbart CPT Basic Air Medal Terry M. Tate CPT Basic Air Meda1 Jon K. Thompson CPT Basic Air Medal David F. Thomas CPT Basic Air Medal Dana N. Wood UT Basic Ai Medal David I. Wisnaes CW2 Basic Air Medal The folloi-ting personnel were submittod for awards and action is pending at -Vais time Kenneth U. Bardot CPT DFC Gerhard Heimberger 1LT DFC John L, MacIsaac ILT BS Willie Tyson CPT DFC & AM "V" Carl PL Propp CPT DFC David I. Wisnoas CW2 DFC Terry L. Willis SP5 ACM Thomas C. Bradley SP5 Soldiers Medal In accordance with present USLRV awards policy recomonda- tions for Onk Loaf Clusters for Air Xodals are consolidated and submitted at the end of the aviator's or crew mobbor's tour. The 21st 1xiation Company suffered no mombors killed during the year 1967 an'" it is hoped -Uia unit histoxy for 1968 may be olosod with the same statmont. Page 9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The unit patch was originally designed by SP5 Charles R. Crowder as the culmination of a company-wide contest held at Fort Lewisp Wash- ington in March 1967. Approximately twenty five (25) designs were submitted by the Enlisted Men and Officers. Three (3) of these were selected for the finals and the officers and men selected the patch shown previously as their unit patch. Originally the call sign of the 21st Aviation Company was "Black Jack" obviously because Black Jack is 21. Upon arrival in South Vietnam, the unit was informed that "Black Jack" was already in use* In order to utilize the unit patch, the officers and men elected to be called the "Black Aces".