History of 498th Air Amb., activity during the Calendar Year 1967 [obtained from report signed by Byron P.Howlett, Commanding & Carroll W. Bell, Historical Officer]

 MAJOR CHANGE IN THE UNITS LOCATION TOOK PLACE IN 1967, FROM ITS ARRIVAL IN VIETNAM IN AUGUST 1965, COMMANDED BY JOE MADRANO, THE UNIT HEADQUARTERS, MAINTENANCE PLAT.AND THE 1ST PLATOON HAD BEEN LOCATED AT NHA THRANG, THE OPERATION'S AND THE 3RD & 4TH PLATOON WERE LOCATED IN QUI NHON, WITH THE 2ND PLATOON LOCATED AT PLIEKU.

ON 1 AUGUST 1967, THE UNIT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE COMPANY WAS TO BE CONSOLIDATED AT LANE ARMY HELIPORT, AN SON, RVN [THIS LOCATION WAS 15 MILES WEST OF QUI NHON] COMPANY HEADQUARTERS, MAINTENANCE PLATOON AND 1ST PLATOON MOVED FROM NHA THRANG TO QUI NHON via LST AND ORGANIC AIRCRAFT ON 2 AUGUST 67, WITH THE MOVE COMPLETED ON 3 AUGUST 67. ON 15 AUGUST 67, THE 3RD AND 4TH PLATOON WITH OPEARTIONS MOVED FROM QUI NHON. THE 2ND PLATOON MOVED FROM PLIEKU ON THE 25TH SEPT WITH ITS DUTIES IN PLIEKU BEING ASSUMED BY THE 283RD MDHA.

ADDITIONALLY THE 498TH AIR AMB.AS GIVEN OPERATIONAL CONTROL OVER THE 283 MDHA AND THE 54TH MDHA

 

PERSONNEL; [key position during 1967]

 

COMMANDER;   LTC WILLIAM KNOWLES            1 JAN- 1 MAR 67

                          LTC CHARLES HEATH                2 MAR- 25 JUL 67

                          LTC BYRON P. HOWLETT         26 JUL- 31 DEC67

OTHER OFFICERS ASSIGNED FILLING POSITIONS OF OPERATION OFFICER, MAINTENANCE OFFICER  & PLATOON LEADERS; [during the calendar year]

FLT OPS OFF;  CPT HUEY P. LANG, CW2 WILLIAM G GRAULING, MAJ. PAUL BLOOMQUIST

MAINT PLT. LDR. CPT WILLIAM DURAND, WO1 WILLIAM BURKE, MAJ WILLIAM HILL

1ST PLAT.LDR. MAJ WARREN ROLER, MAJ PAUL BLOOMQUIST, MAJ.REGGINIAL BARDEN

2ND PLAT.LDR.MAJ.MCLAIN G.GARRETT,CPT.THOMAS MURPHY,CPT.WILLIAM BUSH,CPT.JOE BURT

3RD PLAT LDR.MAJ.CHARLES HEATH,MAJ.WILLIE DIXSON, MAJ. JOSEPH BROWN

4TH PLAT LDR. MAJ. WILLIE DIXSON, MAJ. MENDENHALL

 

OPERATIONAL STATISTICS--CALENDAR YEAR 1967

FLIGHT TIME [ HOURS FLOWN]

DAY           NIGHT             TOTAL

12514        2753                15267

 

MISSIONS FLOWN

DAY          NIGHT              TOTAL

15177        3087                 18264

 

HOIST OPERATIONS

DAY         NIGHT              TOTAL

462            70                    532

 

PATIENTS EVACUATED;  36124

 

CREW CASUALTIES; [NOT RESULT OF HOSTILE ACTION]

FIVE [5] DIED

 

The following number of awards were submitted for and/or awarded to individuals during 1967:

Silver Star                                               6

Distinguished Flying Cross               46

Soldiers Medal                                       3

Bronze Star                                           26

Air Medal                                           1553

Army Commendation Medal              45

Purple Heart                                         19