Name: James Raymond Nelson
     Rank/Branch: E5/US Army
                  Unit: Company C, 227th Aviation Battalion, 11th Aviation Group, 1st Cavalry
     Division (Airmobile)
     Date of Birth: 04 February 1942
     Home City of Record: Ludington MI
     Loss Date: 11 June 1967
     Country of Loss: South Vietnam - Over Water
     Loss Coordinates: 131800N 1094000E (CQ555705)
     Status (in 1973): Missing In Action
     Category: 5
     Acft/Vehicle/Ground: UH1D
              Other Personnel In Incident: Ralph E. Uhlmansiek; Quentin Beecher; Thomas F.
     Riggs Dean E. Clinton (all missing)
 

 

     SYNOPSIS: The 227th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter), 11th Aviation
     Group was organic to the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). From the end of
     October 1966 into February 1967, the 1st Cavalry Division battled clearing Binh
       Dinh Province in Operations THAYER II and PERSHING, the latter concentrated in
     the rich northern coastal plain as well as the Kim Son and Luoi Ci Valleys to
     the west. Throughout the rest of 1967 the division combated the North
     Vietnamese Army's 610th Division and Viet Cong Units in the II Corps Tactical
     Zone. There were over 7100 known enemy casualties in the two operations.

     On June 11, 1967, WO1 Thomas F. Riggs, pilot; WO Dean E. Clinton, co-pilot; SP5
     James R. Nelson, crew chief; and passengers WO1 Quentin R. Beecher and SP4
     Ralph E. Uhlmansiek; departed Landing Zone Uplift, Qui Nhon airfield in the
     southern coastal region of Binh Dinh Province, South Vietnam.

     The crew and passengers were aboard a UH1D helicopter (serial #63-12958), call
     sign "Bamboo Viper 47", on an operations mission in the province. At 1900
     hours, Bamboo Viper 47 left the LZ at Qui Nhon. While en route, bad weather was
     encountered, and the pilot requested assistance in determining his position.

     Efforts by Tuy Hoa and Qui Nhon airfields, and airborne search and rescue
     control aircraft failed to locate the aircraft to guide it to the airfield. At
     2057 hours, the pilot reported that he was out of fuel, and was willing to make
     a water landing. Search and rescue efforts started immediately, and continued
     until 13 June, but was unsuccessful in locating either the helicopter or its
     crew and passengers. All were declared Missing in Action, Category 5 (which
     indicates that it is not felt that remains can be recovered).

     There are nearly 2500 Americans who remain missing in Southeast Asia. Reports
     from refugee and intelligence sources continue to mount that indicate some of
     these men are alive, still held in captivity. Experts now believe that hundreds
     of Americans are still held.

     The case of the downed UH1D seems clear - the crew will probably never be
     found. But for many of the others who are missing endings are not so easy to
     write. Many are alive and waiting for the country they proudly served to bring
     them home. As long as one American is alive in captivity in the jungles of
     Southeast Asia, the war is not over - our flag is still there.

A LETTER FROM JACK BARAN  C/227th AHB

Joe
        I can't help with a photo of Jim Nelson or the others. I too
suffered the same fate as JR, "House Fire".
I lost my entire photo album of all the Lads, Pilots and Ships I
photographed. My loss paled in comparison to my parents and brother. What a
mess! Hence, the reason I can't help.
        I do remember Jim Nelson, and that incident. Believe me when I say,
Maj. Hunnesucker, Foltz an I called out every search and rescue craft that
was available at the time. Even as time wore on, we even called in the Navy
and Coast Guard. Every  effort was made. Maj. Hunnesucker and I always held
onto the hope that they made it to shore! That has nagged me for years as
to there fate. Before I DEROS'ed out in August of 67', I asked Maj. Caudle
and King, as to there fate. Negative, was there answer. I went home with
that bugging me. I still don't know the name of the Lad [gunner or crew
chief] that was crushed to death when his ship flipped over onto its side.
If you ever find out please let me know. I thanked Sgt. Abe for asking the
question about our MIA's. It was to be my very first question to JR. Thanks
to Paul Jones an his research we are now of the knowledge.
        Joe, if it's any comfort, these MEN WILL be remembered in a Mass of
my faith, every Memorial Day. I guarantee it!
        Sorry I couldn't be of help. Maybe Paul Jones, or the other Gents.
                                                Take Care, Jack
 

 

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