“It is now up to Congress to bring a long-deserved dignity to those who answered the call, at great personal cost. It is their turn to gather on the mall, Mr. Speaker, and when I notice that the portion of this memorial will contain the names of every man who died in Vietnam, I cannot think of a more appropriate group to be permanently enshrined there.”
– Congressman John Hammerschmidt in his introduction of legislation for the Vietnam Memorial in 1979
The Vietnam War (Second Indochina War) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from November 1 1955, to the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. The U.S. National Archives shows that 58,220 U.S. soldiers perished. Gold Star Casualty lists 31 Scioto County veterans as dying in the war.
(“Ohio Scioto County Vietnam War.” Gold Star Casualty. https://www.honorstates.org/index.php?do=q&state=OH&county=Scioto&war=Vietnam+Conflict&p=3.)
The names of those casualties from Scioto County are listed on the Wall of Honor (Scioto County KIA-MIA Memorial) at Portsmouth's Tracy Park as the following:
Timothy P. Bauer, James M. Bryan, Ronald Caldwell, Stephen E. Crawford, William L. Debo, Charles R. Eggers, Clyde S. Evans, Edward S. Hamilton, Glen T. Hobbs, Gary O. Holsinger, Jerry R. Howerton, Ted R. Jamison, Donald L. Justice, William Kazee, James R. Lute, Davie J. Martin, Albert McCoy Jr., Ronald L. McJunkin, Larry D. Millard, James R. Mullins, Frank A. Newman, Michael D. Noel, Charles W. Prose Jr.. Roger A. Quinn, Gary L. Sargent, Gary N. Shy, Raymond G. Skaggs, Gary Tackett, Larry C. Vastine, Woots E. Wadkins, and Paul Ward.
(“Scioto County KIA-MIA.” Memorialhttps://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=59410.)
Three of these KIA-MIA Scioto County residents are listed as Lucasville residents. (One must consider this address is area wide. For example, it includes residences outside the village of Lucasville proper and outside of the Valley Local School District.) I am not aware of any Valley High School graduates that died in Vietnam. Please feel free to comment with additions and corrections. Thank you.
The three fallen heroes from the Lucasville area are ...
Sergeant Gary Lee Sargent,
Specialist Four Michael David Noel, and
Specialist Six Frank Allen Newman
I respectfully submit the following information researched online as an unofficial report to honor the Lucasville KIA-MIA of Vietnam. My research was done strictly online and dated March 7, 2022. I hope it serves to distinguish properly these men and serve as a record of their selfless, ultimate sacrifice.
Gary Lee Sargent
SERVICE OVERVIEW
|
Name |
Gary Lee Sargent |
|
From |
Scioto County, Ohio |
|
Born |
June 29, 1942 |
|
Death |
August 13, 1966 |
|
War |
Vietnam War |
|
Rank |
Sergeant |
|
Specialty |
Field Artillery Crewman |
|
Branch |
US Army |
|
Group |
101st Airborne Division, 2nd Battalion, 320th Artillery, Battery B |
|
Cause |
Hostile, Killed in Action |
|
Location |
South Vietnam, Quang Nam province |
|
Awarded |
★ Purple Heart |
ORIGINS
Gary Lee Sargent was born on June 29, 1942. According to our records Ohio was his home or enlistment state and Scioto County included within the archival record. We have Lucasville listed as the city.
SERVICE
He had enlisted in the United States Army. Entered the service via Regular Military. Served during the Vietnam War. He began his tour on July 27, 1966. Sargent had the rank of Sergeant. His military occupation or specialty was Field Artillery Crewman. Service number assignment was 52505275. Attached to 101st Airborne Division, 2nd Battalion, 320th Artillery, Battery B.
CASUALTY
During his service in the Vietnam War, Army Sergeant Sargent experienced a traumatic event which ultimately resulted in loss of life on August 13, 1966. Recorded circumstances attributed to: Died through hostile action. Incident location: South Vietnam, Quang Nam province.
REMEMBERED
Gary is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 10e, Line 2. https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/45607/GARY-L-SARGENT/
COMMENDATIONS
★ Purple Heart
★ Parachutist Badge
★ National Defense Service Medal
★ Vietnam Campaign Medal
★ Vietnam Service Medal
★ Army Presidential Unit Citation
★ Vietnam Gallantry Cross
★ Army Good Conduct Medal
Michael David Noel
|
Name |
Michael David Noel |
|
From |
Scioto County, Ohio |
|
Born |
February 18, 1949 |
|
Death |
September 11, 1970 |
|
War |
Vietnam War |
|
Rank |
Specialist Four |
|
Specialty |
Materiel Storage And Handling Specialist |
|
Branch |
US Army |
|
Group |
Usasupcom, A Company |
|
Cause |
Hostile, Killed in Action |
|
Location |
South Vietnam, Ninh Thuan province |
|
Awarded |
★ Purple Heart |
ORIGINS
Michael David Noel was born on February 18, 1949. According to our records Ohio was his home or enlistment state and Scioto County included within the archival record. We have Lucasville listed as the city.
SERVICE
He had enlisted in the United States Army. Entered the service via Regular Military. Served during the Vietnam War. He began his tour on March 11, 1970. Noel had the rank of Specialist Four. His military occupation or specialty was Materiel Storage And Handling Specialist. Service number assignment was 290484111. Attached to Usasupcom, A Company.
CASUALTY
During his service in the Vietnam War, Army Specialist Four Noel experienced a traumatic event which ultimately resulted in loss of life on September 11, 1970. Recorded circumstances attributed to: Died through hostile action. Incident location: South Vietnam, Ninh Thuan province.
Michael is buried at Rush Township Burial Park, Rushtown, Scioto County, OH.
“Michael took my place that night on September 11,1970”
Posted by Michael P. Collins. (May 26, 2015) https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/38029/MICHAEL-D-NOEL/
“Michael and I worked at
the U.S. Army Depot in Cam Ranh Bay. Michael worked the first shift
from 0600hrs to 1800 hrs. I worked from 1800hrs to 0600hrs. When I
reported for work on the night of Sept. 11th, I was told to go back
to my barracks and report back for duty at 0600 hrs. On Sept. 12th.
Michael took my place the night of the 11th. The Army depot was hit
by rockets that night. And as a result Michael was KIA. I still carry
guilt. Not a day goes by that I don't think about him.”
RIP,
brother. You will never be forgotten,
Michael P. Collins
Frank Allen Newman
|
Name |
Frank Allen Newman |
|
From |
Scioto County, Ohio |
|
Born |
December 7, 1947 |
|
Death |
May 24, 1972 |
|
War |
Vietnam War |
|
Rank |
Specialist Six |
|
Specialty |
Helicopter Technical Inspector |
|
Branch |
US Army |
|
Group |
1st Aviation Brigade, 11th Aviation Group, 62nd Aviation Company |
|
Cause |
Hostile, Killed in Action |
|
Location |
South Vietnam, Thua Thien province |
|
Awarded |
★ Purple Heart |
ORIGINS
Frank Allen Newman was born on December 7, 1947. According to our records Ohio was his home or enlistment state and Scioto County included within the archival record. We have Lucasville listed as the city.
SERVICE
He had enlisted in the United States Army. Entered the service via Regular Military. Served during the Vietnam War. He began his tour on March 28, 1972. Newman had the rank of Specialist Six. His military occupation or specialty was Helicopter Technical Inspector. Service number assignment was 275462742. Attached to 1st Aviation Brigade, 11th Aviation Group, 62nd Aviation Company.
CASUALTY
During his service in the Vietnam War, Army Specialist Six Newman experienced a traumatic event which ultimately resulted in loss of life on May 24, 1972. Recorded circumstances attributed to: Died through hostile action, air crash on land. Incident location: South Vietnam, Thua Thien province.
REMEMBERED
Frank Allen Newman is buried or memorialized at Lucasville Cemetery, Scioto County, Ohio. Frank is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 01w, Line 31.
COMMENDATIONS
★ Purple Heart
★ National Defense Service Medal
★ Vietnam Campaign Medal
★ Vietnam Service Medal
★ Army Presidential Unit Citation
★ Vietnam Gallantry Cross
★ Army Good Conduct Medal
Helicopter CH-47C 68-15854
(https://www.vhpa.org/KIA/incident/72052410KIA.HTM)
Information on U.S. Army
helicopter CH-47C tail number 68-15854
The Army purchased this
helicopter 1268
Total flight hours at this point: 00001522
Date:
05/24/1972
Incident number:
72052410.KIA
Unit: 62 ASHC
This was a Combat
incident.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates:
YD516219 (To see this location on a map, go to
https://legallandconverter.com/p50.html
and search on Grid Reference 48QYD516219)
Original source(s) and
document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense
Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Also: OPERA (Operations
Report.)
Loss to
Inventory
Crew Members:
AC WO1
BAREFIELD JAMES ARTHER KIA
P CPT THAIN HARRY
LINDSAY KIA
CE SP6 NEWMAN FRANK ALLEN KIA
G
PFC BROOKS DAVID LEE JR KIA
G SP5 GACHES CHARLES WILLIAM KIA
War
Story:
On lift-off was struck in cockpit by an 60mm mortar round. The aircraft impacted ground and crew of five were fatalities.
I am writing because after many, many years of searching I found information on your site about a Chinook helicopter loss in Viet Nam in 1972. It’s listed under ‘ Helicopter CH-47 68-15854. I was stunned to read the file. It brought back many memories.
In May 1972, I was an artillery advisor to South Viet Nam units in I Corps. Originally, I was the senior advisor to an ARVN 175mm gun battalion. The unit was not yet combat ready when the Easter Offensive started with North Viet Nam’s attack across the DMZ. The unit was ordered north to support the ARVN Third Division. A day later I was ordered to replace the Third Division’s artillery advisor. I went to Quang Tri City. Just before it fell, I was rescued by a young WO1 flying an OH-6. He took me to Hue where I worked trying to get the ARVN’s I Corps Artillery’ Fire Support Center up and running.
Sometime later, as an economy of force measure, a decision was made to emplace a personnel radar to cover the approaches to Hue. The plan was to lift a squad of ARVN engineers with construction materiel to a mountain top where they would build a bunker for the US manned radar. After the bunker was completed but before the roof was completed, the radar would be lifted in place.
The support of a Chinook was obtained. I now know it was from the 62nd ASHC. I marshaled the ARVN engineers and materiel on a grassy field along the Perfume River in Hue. I had a US Army sergeant advisor named Brooks and a Viet Namese sergeant from the engineer unit with me. SFC Brooks had radio contact with the Chinook while the Viet Namese sergeant had contact with the engineer squad.
All was going according to plan as the Chinook made trip after trip delivering the engineers and the materiel. I decided to get the next trip out to the site but saw an old monument at the far end of the field. As a history buff, I wanted to look at it. So, I told SFC Brooks that I would take the following lift. I walked down to the monument and using my high school French was able to decipher that the monument had been erected in the 1880’s by a Foreign Legion penal battalion.
As I was reading the monument’s words, I saw SFC Brooks waving me back. I ran down the field and he told me that the Viet Namese sergeant had received a radio call from the mountain site telling that they were receiving sporadic mortar fire. Most disturbing was that the engineers reported the fire was over, short, left and right of their position. Being artillerymen, SFC Brooks and I instantly realized the enemy’s plan. They were getting the range and would fire when the helicopter was on site.
I called the helicopter and told them not to go in. I explained I was an artillery officer and knew what would happen. The pilot told me that they would go in. I again told him not to go. He said something about going in and then going back to his base to refuel. It was the last I heard from him. Moments later, the ARVN engineers reported that the helicopter had been hit, crashed and the crew was dead.
I am sad and frustrated that I have no more memories of that day. I cannot remember how the bodies were recovered or if we later continued the mission at a later time. This incident has haunted me for the rest of my Army career and ever since. If anyone on your site could fill in more details, I will rest easy. I never even knew the names of the crew. Knowing their names now helps.
Thank you helping to ease an old soldier’s mind.
From: Brian M. O’Neill, LTC (R) FA
This record was last updated on 06/02/2010
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