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 are 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 1970 - 31 December 1970
Prepared by
CPT ROBERT J. GEHRKE
UNIT HISTORICAL OFFICER
APPROVED BY:
MARSHALL J. FAYARD
MAJ CE
Commanding
Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam
APO SF 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 RAC spent approximately four months training and building up its MTOE. After leaves, the officers and men of the 21st departed CONUS aboard USNS Nelson H. Walker. The company arrived at Vung Tau, RVN on 26 June 1967. The original strength was 21 officers and 71 enlisted men with 22 aircraft. All aircraft and equipment were unloaded and processed before movement to Tay Ninh. This being accomplished, the unit became operational 28 July 1967. The 21st RAC operated in III Corps, Tay Ninh until 8 January 1968.
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.
1 Ltr, DA ADAH-A, dtd 30 Jan 69, Subj: Hist., Insignia, and Guidon for the 21st Aviation Company
2 Ltr, DA, OCMH, dtd 6 Feb 67, Subj: Unit History
CHAPTER II
UNIT BACKGROUND
Throughout 1970, the 21st Aviation company has been located at Chu Lai, where it has been since it’s move from Tay Ninh in 1968.
The second and third flight platoons and the Maintenance Platoons and the Company Headquarters are located in Chu Lai adjacent to the 23d Inf Division Complex. The first Flight Platoon is located at the Marble Mountain Air Facility in Da Nang. Operating from two locations gives the company maximum flexibility, enablihg rapid response to needs of its supported units.
CHAPTER III
Command and Control
The unit commanders and their period of assignment are as follows:
Major Sam A. Scavo 1 January to 2 May 1970
Major Kenneth E. Kimes 5 May 1970 to 2 October 1970
Major Marshall J. Fayard 2 October 1970 to 31 December 1970
Executive Officers for 1970 were:
Captain Oliver E. Becker 1 January 1970 to 2 May 1970
Captain Ronald D. Mothersbaugh 2 May 1970 to 10 August 1970
Captain Robert W. Kimbrough 10 August 1970 to 31 December 1970
CHAPTER IV
Unit Combat Operations
Visual combat surveillance and target acquisition to support units through organic aircraft continues to be the mission of the “Black Aces”.
Units supported include G-2 Air, 1st Military Region Headquarters (1st Flight Platoon), G-2 Air 23d Infantry Division (Americal)Division (2nd Flight Platoon), and the G-2 Air 2nd ARVN Division in Quang Ngai (3rd Flight Platoon). Missions include Artillery Adjustment, Target Acquisition for Air Force and Marine Forward Air Controllers, Radio Relay, Convoy over, Naval Gunfire Target Acquisition and Adjustment, and target analysis.
The very efficient utilization of the company’s aircraft and men in terms of damage to the enemy for the year of 1970 is shown by the following statistics confirmed from supported units.
CONFIRMED
Hours Flown 23,647
Sorties Flown 15,677
Enemy KIA 124
Bunkers 141 (Destroyed) 83 (Damaged)
Sampans 16 (Destroyed 18 (Damaged)
Structures 236 (Destroyed) 104 (Damaged)
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Explosions 38
The First Flight Platoon located at Marble Mountain Air Facility, DaNang, provided reconnaissance and close air support in conjunction with Marine Forward Air Control aircraft of the 1st ...(unreadable) forces.
The performance of the pilots in the 1st Platoon speaks for itself in the numerous letters of commendation received in 1970.
Providing Combat Support to the 23d Infantry Division (Americal) and working closely with division artillery continues to be the job of the 2d Flight Platoon.
Being the largest flight platoon, the 2d latoon schedules 33 hours a day in support of Division Artillery, Military Intelligence, Target Mission Force, and the 11th Infantry Brigade. The area of operations lies between the Hoi An River to the north and the II Military Region border on the south. The area is bounded by the Laotian Border on the west and the south China Sea on the East.
During the daily enemy attacks in the Hiep Duc area including FSB Siberia through the months of May and June, the second platoon provided daily and continuous reconnaissance coverage and artillery adjustment which was instrumental in the maintaining control of the Hiep Duc Valley. The efforts of the 2d Platoon no doubt sved many allied lives during this operation.
The 3d Flight Platoon flies nine combat missions a day in support of the 2d ARVN Division. These missions are divided between visual reconnaissance, naval gunfire, artillery adjustment, target analysis, and various other related missions. The support of the Special Forces Camps in Southern I Corps also falls on the shoulders of the 3d Flight Platoon. The determination and professionalism of the 3d Platoon pilots were instrumental in the inability for the enemy to maintain its foothold in the Quang Ngai province.
The 21st aviation Company lost one officer who was killed in action during 1970.
Captain Wayne A. McConkey was killed as a result of hostile fire southeast of Tra Bong on 15 September 1970. Captain McConkey was the second aviator killed in the history of the 21st Aviation Company.
CHAPTER V
Equipment and Installations.
No new buildings were constructed in the 21st Aviation Company area during the past year. Much time and effort was spent by the officers and men in various projects upgrading the existing buildings and facilities. The mess hall, food storage area and the officers’ mess section received structural repair and finishing. The Day Room was thoroughly repainted and repaired, resulting in an area utilized by officers and men of the 21st Avn Co (UA) for many varied activities including the daily movie, weekly religious services, command information and safety and standardization meetings.
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CHAPTER VI
Reflections
During 1970, the following awards and decorations were presented to officers and men of the 21st Aviation Company:
Air Medals 208
Army Commendation Medals 91
Bronze Stars 32
Distinguished Flying Crosses 5
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