Note: The following annual supplement was too poor in quality to scan and was retyped verbatim from the xeroxed copy obtained at the National Archives. The only thing missing here is the signature of Maj Scavo, which is on the original, and two or three words (where I’ve inserted “unreadable” in their place). I’ve also taken the liberty of inserting the words “((page begins))” or similar words to indicate the top of a new page in the document. -- Dave Chandler

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ANNUAL SUPPLEMENT

HISTORY OF THE

21ST RECONNAISSANCE AIRPLANE COMPANY

212TH COMBAT SUPPORT AVIATION BATTALION

1 January 1969 - 31 December 1969

Prepared by

1LT Joseph M. Savage III

UNIT HISTORICAL OFFICER

APPROVED BY:

SAM A. SCAVO

MAJ AR

Commanding

Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam

APO 96374

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

21st Aviation Company (Utility Airplane)

“Black Aces”

APO 96374

CHAPTER I

HERALDRY

The 21st Reconnaissance Airplane Company has no predecessor units according to the words of the Adjutant Generals Office.¹

The 21st Reconnaissance Airplane Company constituted as the 21st Aviation Company (Surveillance Airplane Light) on 27 February 1958 in the Regular Army, was activated on 24 March 1958 at Fort Rucker, Alabama. The 21st was attached to the 2nd Battalion Group, 31st Infantry and had the mission of providing support for the Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker. It was inactivated there on 25 September 1965. The company was activated again on 1 January 1967 at Fort Lewis, Washington.²

The 21st Reconnaissance Airplane Company does not fall under the category of units listed in PARA 14-18A, AR 670-5, dated 23 Sep 66, and is not authorized a distinctive unit crest.

CHAPTER II

UNIT BACKGROUND

The year began with the 21st Reconnaissance Airplane settled in Chu Lai after its move from Tay Ninh where it has been located since its arrival in-country in mid-1967.

The Second and Third Flight Platoons along with Company Headquarters are located in Chu Lai and the First Platoon is based in Da Nang (Marble Mountain Air Facility). Operating from two locations gives the company maximum flexibility and enables it to respond rapidly to the needs of the units it supports.

CHAPTER III

Unit Combat Operations

Visual combat surveillance and target acquisition to support units through organic aircraft continues to be the mission of the “Black Aces”.

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Units supported include G-2 Air, I Corps Headquarters (1st Flight Platoon), the Americal Division (2nd Flight Platoon), and the 2nd ARVN Division (3rd Flight Platoon). Missions include artillery adjustment, forward air control, radio relay, convoy cover, naval gunfire, target analysis and combat observation. The company has one U-6A assigned which is utilized for the company’s administrative and liason missions.

The increased productiveness of the company’s aircraft in terms of damage to the enemy for the year of 1969 is indicated below:

Enemy KIA 299

Bunkers 369 (Destroyed) 251 (Damaged)

Sampans 52 (Destroyed) 38 (Damaged)

Structures 222 (Destroyed) 156 (Damaged)

Secondary Explosions 47

Captured (Enemy)

The First Flight Platoon located at the Marble Mountain Air Facility near Da Nang, provided reconnaissance and close air support in conjunction with Marine Fighter Aircraft, to the First Marine Division and the I Corps ARVN and Republic of Korea Marine Forces.

The performance of the pilots in the 1st Platoon speaks for itself in the numerous letters of commendation received in 1969.

The close cooperation between the First Platoon, with Marine and allied forces reflects the versatility of close combat support offered by the “Black Aces”.

Providing combat support to the Americal Division and working closely with Division Artillery continues to be the job of the 2nd Platoon. Being the largest of the flight platoons, 2nd Platoon is scheduled for thirty-six (36) hours a day in support of the 196th and 11th Light Infantry Brigades, Division Artillery and the G-2. Their area of operations lies between the Hoi An River and the II Corps border, north to south, and the coast to the Laotian border, east to west.

Intelligence missions flown for the G-2 extend deep into the mountains where enemy infiltration routes criss-cross the terrain. These missions are flown daily despite the large enemy elements encountered and the often undesirable weather. 2nd Platoon remains the “Eyes of the Americal Division”.

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The 3rd Flight Platoon flys seven combat missions a day in support of the 2nd ARVN Division. These misions are divided between visual reconnaissance, naval gunfire, artillery adjustment and target analysis. the support of the Special forces Camps in Southern I Corps also falls on the shoulders of the 3rd Flight Platoon. The determination and professionalism of the 3rd Platoon pilots were instrumental in the inability of the enemy to maintain its foothold in Quang Ngai Province.

During the Tet Offensive in the month of February, the 3rd Platoon played a major role in thwarting a determined Viet Cong attack on the cities of Quang Ngai and Tam Ky. Through their efforts, the 2nd ARVN Division was kept informed of enemy troop dispositions. This vital knowledge made possible the defeat of a large enemy force.

Working effectively with an allied unit has been a great source of pride to the 3rd Platoon.

The 21st Aviation Company lost one officer who was killed in action during 1969.

1LT Stephan A. Shortall, 127-36-9634, was killed 12 Feb 69 when his aircraft was downed by anti-aircraft fire west of LZ West. 1LT Shortall was the first aviator from the 21st Aviation Company killed in action since the unit’s arrival in the Republic of Vietnam.

CHAPTER IV

Command and Control

The unit commanders and their period of assignment are as follows:

Major Benjamin J. Kahalekulu 16 January 1969 - 15 June 1969

Major Joe T. Pope 15 June 1969 - 13 November 1969

Major Sam A. Scavo 13 November 1969 - 31 December 1969

Executive officers for the same year were:

Captain Charles C. McCloskey III 1 January 1969 - 1 April 1969

Captain Ronald D. Fitzsimmons 11 April 1969 - 15 July 1969

Captain Oliver R. Becker 15 July 1969 - 31 December 1969

Equipment and Installations

Under the MTOE the company is equipped with the following items

a) Airplane Observation Light 0-1G 24 each

b) Truck 1/4 ton 7 each

c) Truck 3/4 ton 9 each

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d.) Truck 2 1/2 ton 5 each

e) Truck 2 1/2 ton tanker 3 each

f) Truck Tractor Trailer 5 ton 2 each

g) Shop Set A/C Maintenance A-1 & A-2 1 each

h) Radio Set AN/VRC-46 3 each

i) Radio Set AN/VRC-47 5 each

j) Radio Set AN/RVC-49 1 each

No new buildings were constructed in the 21st Aviation company area. However, much time and effort was spent by the officers and men in the construction of bunkers and guard towers. A complete field phone system was established throughout the company as an emergency communications back-up system in the event of an enemy attack. This gives the commanding officer voice communications with all guard posts and reactionary forces.

Area beautification became the theme of the officers and men after upgrading the company’s defensive posture. The Orderly Room, Mess Hall and individual Billets became the target of an extensive effort to make the 21st Aviation company area attractive as well as comfortable. This effort was successful and we now fell the company area is one of the most attractive in Chu Lai.

CHAPTER VI

Reflections

The following numbers of awards have been presented to members of the 21st Aviation Company for service achievement, valor and heroism during 1969:

Distinguished Flying Cross 4

Bronze Star 12

Army Commendation 16

Soldiers Medal 2

Purple Heart 3

Air Medal 341

USARV Certificate of Achievement 13

On 1 April 1969 the designation of the 21st Aviation company (Surveillance Airplane Light) was changed to the 21st Aviation Company (Utility Airplane).³

By direction of the Secretary of the Army, under the provisions of Paragraph 203, AR 672-5-1, The Meritorious Unit Commendation (First Oak Leaf Cluster) was awarded to the 21st Aviation Company (Utility Airplane).

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The award was presented to Major Sam A. Scavo, Commanding Officer 21st Aviation Company (Utility Airplane) by Major General Allen M. Burdett Jr. Commanding General, 1st Aviation Brigade.