History of the 21st Reconnaissance Airplane Company

The following documents are official history documents prepared in Vietnam by officers in the units as an "additional duty" to act as the unit's historical officer. These documents were copied by David Chandler at the National Archives in 1993, and computer scanned in 2000 so that they could be added to this website.

Other historical documents may be found in the "archives" section of this website

1967 1 January 1967 to 31 December 1967: Prepared by CPT Dick H. Forrester, approved by George W. Moses, Maj, Infantry, Commanding. This section includes initial movement to Vietnam, establishing call sign "Black Aces", establishes unit patch, and shows map of AOR.

1968 1 January 1968 to 31 December 1968: Prepared by 1LT Theodore D. Sheyda, approved by Benjamin I Kahalekulu, Maj, Field Artillery, Commanding. This section includes relocation from Tay Ninh to Chu Lai, the '68 Tet, and death of the 3rd Plt's Platoon Sergeant

1969 1 January 1969 to 31 December 1969: Prepared by 1LT Joseph M. Savage III, approved by Sam A. Scavo, Maj, Armor, Commanding. 1969 saw our first officer lost, with the shooting down of 1LT Steven Shortall in February. We were also involved in battles for Quang Ngai and Tam Ky. The Meritorious Unit Award, 1st OLC was awarded in 1969.

1970 1 January 1970 to 31 December 1970: Prepared by CPT Robert Gehrke, approved by Marshall Fayard, Maj, CE, Commanding. 1970 saw our second officer lost, with the shooting down of CPT Wayne McConkey in September.

1970 3d qtr oprep 31 Oct 1970 to 31 December 1970: Operational Report - Lessons Learned from the 21st Aviation Company for the Quarter Ending 31 Oct 1970.

etc