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.

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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: Heraldry page 1

CH1,PTER II: Unit Formation and Preparation for Overseas Movement page 1

CHAPTER III: Overseas Movement and tn-Countly Training page 3

CHAPTER IV: Unit Combat Operations page 4

CHAPTER V: Command and Control page 6

CHAPTER VI: amp; Equipment and Installations page 7

CHLPTER VII: Reflections page 8

APPENDIX 1: Unit Patch page 10

APPENDIX 2: Map of Areas of Operations page 11

-DEPARTMENT OF THEARMY

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 Rucker activated there on 24 September 1965. The .......tel again on I Januazy 1967 at Fort Lewis, Washington. 2

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 Adjustment 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. However, as the unit began to receive the authorized equipment it was readily apparent that the equipment authorized was not compatible with the aircraft and mission of the unit. The primary area of incompatibility 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 company. 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 MTOE was prepared and submitted in early February. After minor modifications the MOB was approved at post level and forwarded to Sixth Army. With this problem solved, the unit continued to draw equipment and by early March the majority of equipment had been received.

The 24 0-1 aircraft assigned to the unit were picked up by unit pilots at Wichita, 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 February and early March the company conducted training 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 completed their flight training. Emphasis was placed on training those aviators in tactical employmont of the 0-1 and in becoming qualified with the 2.75" rocket system mounted on the aircraft. There were no rocket systems available at Fort Lewis, 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 system used by CW3 Anderson on a previous tour in Vietnam.

In March, a contest was held to determine a unit nickname and design a unit pocket patch since information received from units in

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Vietnam indicated all aviation companies in Vietnam had a distinctive name and patch ...... as shown in Appendix I was selected and the name 'Black Jack" was adopted.

On 26 April the 21st began 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 completed POR qualifications requirements and prepared the unit equipment for'shipment. The personnel and equipment were divided into three (3) groups- An advance party to travel by air including the Commanding Officer, Operations Officer, Supply Officer and two (2) EMs group of 27 personnel to accompany the aircraft, and a main body under the Executive Officer to travel by troop transport.

CHAPTER III

Overseas Movement and In-Country Training

The aircraft were ferried to Sharpe Depot on 20 May and on l June 1967, the 24-aircraft departed Alameda California aboard the USNS Point Cruz, CPT Gideon, CPT Anderson 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 delivery to the unit location at Tay Ninh. Assembly was completed by 15 July.

The main body departed Oakland, California on 9 June aboard the USNS Nelson M. Walker. They arrived at Vung Tau on 27 Jun and were airlifted to Tay Ninh the morning of the 28th.

The advance party departed Fort Lewis on 20 June and arrived in Saigon on 21 June after a briefing by the 12th Combat Aviation Group, they were turned over to the 269th Combat Aviation Battalion for further briefing and assistance in preparation for the arrival of the company. The sponsor unit for the 21st was the 187th Assault Helicopter Company, which was assistod by other 269th battalion units,

The conex containers which had accompanied the main body wore barged to &Saigon ar... were transported to Tay Ninh by ..amp...trucks from the 40th Transportation Group.

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A small amount of equipment and a trail party of 1 man arrived at Saigon on 8 July. The 21st completed its move to Tay Ninh on 10 July without loss or major damage to a single item of equipment*

A program of in-country 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 companies. By 28 July the company had achieved operational status and the first combat mission assigned to the 21st was flown on 26 July 1967.

The 21st had the unit tite "Black Jack" upon arrival in Vietnam. However 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 designation and "Black Aces" was selected.

CHAPTER IV

Unit Combat Operations

During the period 20 June thru 31 December 67, the 21st Aviation Company flew 169372 combat hours in support of III Corps units. Primarily missions were flown for II Field Forces with the majority in the 25th Infantry Division area of operations. Missions varied and included artillery adjustment, convoy controls forward air control, radio relay, visual reconnaissance 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 Artillery, III Corps ARVN, 9th Infantry Divisions lst Infantry 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 included Operation Saratoga and Operation Yellowstone. In addition the lst platoon which was commanded by CPT Charles R. Welsh received a letter of appreciation for the support his platoon

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rendered to the Corps Artillery units stationed in the Quan Loi-Loch Ninh area* The comments contained in this letter are indicative of the type support rendered by the pilots of the 21st Aviation Company, Several paragraph are quoted below:

"These officers performed in an outstanding manner during this period and are to be commended. All are conscientious hard working, devoted officers and were involved in locating enemy mortar and rocket positions during actual attacks. During one of the most important allied victories of 1967--The Battle of Loch Ninh--these individuals acted as pilots and observers".

"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 navigates, 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 destroying Viet Cong elements.

In addition to the normal missions of convoy controlp artillery adjustment and visual reconnaissance, the 21st Aviation Company supported special forces teams with radio relay and reconnaissance, On two (2) seperate occasions pilots from the company were directly responsible for coordination of fire support and control of ground units inserted to support patrols which had been ambushed by Viet Cong. This control and coordination resulted in successful extraction of the teams with heavy losses to the Viet Cong.

Due to the nature of the missions assigned to the 21st, all missions are of a one or two ship nature and place considerable responsibility upon the individual pilot. The combat record of the 21st Aviation 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

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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 signifigance 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 pineapple fields. Extensive rubber plantations 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 without 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 accomplishment* The 21st also accomplished its mission without a combat loss although aircraft received hits on at least six (6) occasions and were subjected to ground fire on numerous missions. In mid-December, the 21st received word it had been selected to move to the I Corps area. 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 organized at Fort Lewis, Washington and attached to the 21st Aviation Company on 16 January 1967. The detachment trained and deployed with the 21st Aviation Company and rendered outstanding avionics support after arrival at Tay Ninh. In addition, the detachment personnel provided operator instruction and maintenance support for the ground radios assigned to the 21st. l/LT Norman F. Colton, 05023497, was the detachment commander during the period of 1 May - 31 December 1967. 2/LT Jerry L. Pope, 05328202, was the commander from 16 January through 30 April 1967

CHAPTER VI

Equipment and Installations

As outlined in Chapter II, the 21st Aviation Company was equipped under an MTOE submitted in January 1967. The major items of equipment were:

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 Aviation Company was originally assigned to Tay Ninh Vietnam. Tents were provided by the sponsor unit and were mounted on wood frames. During the period 28 Jun - 31 December eight (8) wooden barracks, a shower, orderly room and mess hall were constructed by unit personnel and foundations had been laid for tho remaining three (3) billets required.

Page 7

The 588th Engineer Battalion provided support for the airfield facilities required, Weather delayed constrution of the ramp facilities, but, by 26 July the ramp had been completed ...; During August and September, two 2) 1 toon revetment line buildings, a maintenance office and four (4 shelters were constructed. The revetment shelters provided limited protection from rain and wore invaluable in allowing the unit to perform maintenance during inclement weather

In late July, the 21st began a project to construct aircraft revetments as required by U&.RV* Those revetments 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 revetments by 27 August without intcnVtions in their combt mission and with very limited support was indeed a major accomplishment. In fact, the 21st Aviation Company was the first aviaticn Company in Vietnam to complete all required revetments on a self help basis, The primary credit for this accomplishment goes to Major Bernard M, McInerney, SFC John D. Clark and the '%UncIV Revetment Rats"

CHAPTER VII

Reflections

The following awards have boon presented to members of the 21st for service or achievement during 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 following personnel were submittod for awards and action is pending at this 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 Mdals are consolidated and submitted at the end of the aviator's or crew member's tour.

The 21st Aviation Company suffered no members killed during the year 1967 and it is hoped -Uia unit history for 1968 may be closod with the same statment.

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The unit patch was originally designed by SP5 Charles R. Crowder as the culmination of a company-wide contest held at Fort Lewis, Washington 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".

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END OF DOCUMENT - editor