In Memory of ..... SGT Joseph George Kusick.
*** Sergeant Kusick was a member of the Command and Control Detachment, 5th Special Forces Group. On November 9, 1967, he was being extracted in a Sokorsky Sea King Search and Rescue Helicopter (HH-3H) in Laos, when the aircraft crashed and burned. Later Sergeant Kusick remains were identified, but were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you! ***
JOSEPH GEORGE KUSICK - Army - SGT - E5
Age: 22
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Feb 26, 1945
From: BRUIN, PA
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Joseph Y. Kusick from Petrolia, Penn. and Mother, Emma J. Scott (Re-married)of Emlenton, Penn.. Margaret A. Kusick, Shirley Ann Kusick Craig, William M. Kusick and T... B. Kusick. He has NO children.
Length of service 2 years
His tour began on Nov 8, 1967
Casualty was on Nov 8, 1967
In , LAOS
Hostile, died while missing, HELICOPTER - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 29E - Line 51
Other Personnel in Incident: Bruce R. Baxter; Ralph W. Brower; Eugene L. Clay; Larry W. Maysey (all missing); Gerald O. Young and 3 indigenous personnel (rescued)
At 1630Z, Jolly Green 29 picked up the three indigenous personnel before being driven off by hostile fire.
Jolly Green 29 left and made an emergency landing at Khe Sanh. 20 minutes later, Jolly Green 26, flown by CAPT Gerald Young, with flight crew consisting of CAPT Ralph Brower, co-pilot; SSGT Eugene Clay, flight engineer; and SGT Larry Maysey, rescue specialist.
Braved the ground fire to pick up Special Forces SP4 Joseph G. Kusick and MSGT Bruce R. Baxter, both wounded.
Crew and Spike Team UTAH Members on Rescue Helicopter HH-3, Jolly Green 26,which was shot down and crashed on 09 November 1967 in Laos.
Row 47 - MSgt Bruce Raymond Baxter, US Army, Team Leader, Spike Team UTAH Row 51 - Sp4 Joseph George Kusick, US Army, Radio Operator, Spike Team UTAH
The helicopter was hit by automatic weapons fire, crashed and burst into flames.
By the afternoon of November 9, a recovery team was inserted into the area and reached the crash site of the burned HH3. Because of fading light, it was impossible to inspect the wreckage at that time.
On 10 November, the wreckage was searched and 3 charred remains were found. Two of the remains had identification tags which identified them as members of the crew.
The third remains had no tags, but were identified as SP4
Kusick, radio operator of the reconnaissance team, as the long antenna from his PRC-25 radio were found on his body.
CAPT Young had survived and was rescued 17 hours after the crash of the aircraft. About 34 meters downhill from the wreckage, another set of remains were found which were readily identified as MSGT Baxter from the facial features.
No trace was found of the third crew member. The remains of the two crewmen and Kusick were removed from the aircraft and placed with MSGT Baxter's remains so they could be hoisted as one lift into a hovering helicopter.
The identificaton tags of the crewmembers were placed with the remains. Weather conditions and enemy action would not permit helicopters to make the extraction either that day or the day following.
The remains of the crew and passengers aboard Jolly Green 26 were never recovered.
Although the location of the crash is known, the bodies of the crew and recon team who died still lie on foreign soil.
*************
26 March 2007 - Latest Update on the Search
From Jeff Nash:
There's really no more news on any recovery of remains from the JG 26 crash site. Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command out of Hawaii has been to the site a couple of times in the last few years and did some excavating, but no luck.
************************************
.
*** Sergeant Kusick was a member of the Command and Control Detachment, 5th Special Forces Group. On November 9, 1967, he was being extracted in a Sokorsky Sea King Search and Rescue Helicopter (HH-3H) in Laos, when the aircraft crashed and burned. Later Sergeant Kusick remains were identified, but were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you! ***
JOSEPH GEORGE KUSICK - Army - SGT - E5
Age: 22
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Feb 26, 1945
From: BRUIN, PA
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Joseph Y. Kusick from Petrolia, Penn. and Mother, Emma J. Scott (Re-married)of Emlenton, Penn.. Margaret A. Kusick, Shirley Ann Kusick Craig, William M. Kusick and T... B. Kusick. He has NO children.
Length of service 2 years
His tour began on Nov 8, 1967
Casualty was on Nov 8, 1967
In , LAOS
Hostile, died while missing, HELICOPTER - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 29E - Line 51
Other Personnel in Incident: Bruce R. Baxter; Ralph W. Brower; Eugene L. Clay; Larry W. Maysey (all missing); Gerald O. Young and 3 indigenous personnel (rescued)
At 1630Z, Jolly Green 29 picked up the three indigenous personnel before being driven off by hostile fire.
Jolly Green 29 left and made an emergency landing at Khe Sanh. 20 minutes later, Jolly Green 26, flown by CAPT Gerald Young, with flight crew consisting of CAPT Ralph Brower, co-pilot; SSGT Eugene Clay, flight engineer; and SGT Larry Maysey, rescue specialist.
Braved the ground fire to pick up Special Forces SP4 Joseph G. Kusick and MSGT Bruce R. Baxter, both wounded.
Crew and Spike Team UTAH Members on Rescue Helicopter HH-3, Jolly Green 26,which was shot down and crashed on 09 November 1967 in Laos.
Row 47 - MSgt Bruce Raymond Baxter, US Army, Team Leader, Spike Team UTAH Row 51 - Sp4 Joseph George Kusick, US Army, Radio Operator, Spike Team UTAH
The helicopter was hit by automatic weapons fire, crashed and burst into flames.
By the afternoon of November 9, a recovery team was inserted into the area and reached the crash site of the burned HH3. Because of fading light, it was impossible to inspect the wreckage at that time.
On 10 November, the wreckage was searched and 3 charred remains were found. Two of the remains had identification tags which identified them as members of the crew.
The third remains had no tags, but were identified as SP4
Kusick, radio operator of the reconnaissance team, as the long antenna from his PRC-25 radio were found on his body.
CAPT Young had survived and was rescued 17 hours after the crash of the aircraft. About 34 meters downhill from the wreckage, another set of remains were found which were readily identified as MSGT Baxter from the facial features.
No trace was found of the third crew member. The remains of the two crewmen and Kusick were removed from the aircraft and placed with MSGT Baxter's remains so they could be hoisted as one lift into a hovering helicopter.
The identificaton tags of the crewmembers were placed with the remains. Weather conditions and enemy action would not permit helicopters to make the extraction either that day or the day following.
The remains of the crew and passengers aboard Jolly Green 26 were never recovered.
Although the location of the crash is known, the bodies of the crew and recon team who died still lie on foreign soil.
*************
26 March 2007 - Latest Update on the Search
From Jeff Nash:
There's really no more news on any recovery of remains from the JG 26 crash site. Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command out of Hawaii has been to the site a couple of times in the last few years and did some excavating, but no luck.
************************************
.
In Memory of ..... SGT Joseph George Kusick.
*** Sergeant Kusick was a member of the Command and Control Detachment, 5th Special Forces Group. On November 9, 1967, he was being extracted in a Sokorsky Sea King Search and Rescue Helicopter (HH-3H) in Laos, when the aircraft crashed and burned. Later Sergeant Kusick remains were identified, but were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you! ***
JOSEPH GEORGE KUSICK - Army - SGT - E5
Age: 22
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Feb 26, 1945
From: BRUIN, PA
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Joseph Y. Kusick from Petrolia, Penn. and Mother, Emma J. Scott (Re-married)of Emlenton, Penn.. Margaret A. Kusick, Shirley Ann Kusick Craig, William M. Kusick and T... B. Kusick. He has NO children.
Length of service 2 years
His tour began on Nov 8, 1967
Casualty was on Nov 8, 1967
In , LAOS
Hostile, died while missing, HELICOPTER - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 29E - Line 51
Other Personnel in Incident: Bruce R. Baxter; Ralph W. Brower; Eugene L. Clay; Larry W. Maysey (all missing); Gerald O. Young and 3 indigenous personnel (rescued)
At 1630Z, Jolly Green 29 picked up the three indigenous personnel before being driven off by hostile fire.
Jolly Green 29 left and made an emergency landing at Khe Sanh. 20 minutes later, Jolly Green 26, flown by CAPT Gerald Young, with flight crew consisting of CAPT Ralph Brower, co-pilot; SSGT Eugene Clay, flight engineer; and SGT Larry Maysey, rescue specialist.
Braved the ground fire to pick up Special Forces SP4 Joseph G. Kusick and MSGT Bruce R. Baxter, both wounded.
Crew and Spike Team UTAH Members on Rescue Helicopter HH-3, Jolly Green 26,which was shot down and crashed on 09 November 1967 in Laos.
Row 47 - MSgt Bruce Raymond Baxter, US Army, Team Leader, Spike Team UTAH Row 51 - Sp4 Joseph George Kusick, US Army, Radio Operator, Spike Team UTAH
The helicopter was hit by automatic weapons fire, crashed and burst into flames.
By the afternoon of November 9, a recovery team was inserted into the area and reached the crash site of the burned HH3. Because of fading light, it was impossible to inspect the wreckage at that time.
On 10 November, the wreckage was searched and 3 charred remains were found. Two of the remains had identification tags which identified them as members of the crew.
The third remains had no tags, but were identified as SP4
Kusick, radio operator of the reconnaissance team, as the long antenna from his PRC-25 radio were found on his body.
CAPT Young had survived and was rescued 17 hours after the crash of the aircraft. About 34 meters downhill from the wreckage, another set of remains were found which were readily identified as MSGT Baxter from the facial features.
No trace was found of the third crew member. The remains of the two crewmen and Kusick were removed from the aircraft and placed with MSGT Baxter's remains so they could be hoisted as one lift into a hovering helicopter.
The identificaton tags of the crewmembers were placed with the remains. Weather conditions and enemy action would not permit helicopters to make the extraction either that day or the day following.
The remains of the crew and passengers aboard Jolly Green 26 were never recovered.
Although the location of the crash is known, the bodies of the crew and recon team who died still lie on foreign soil.
*************
26 March 2007 - Latest Update on the Search
From Jeff Nash:
There's really no more news on any recovery of remains from the JG 26 crash site. Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command out of Hawaii has been to the site a couple of times in the last few years and did some excavating, but no luck.
************************************
.
*** Sergeant Kusick was a member of the Command and Control Detachment, 5th Special Forces Group. On November 9, 1967, he was being extracted in a Sokorsky Sea King Search and Rescue Helicopter (HH-3H) in Laos, when the aircraft crashed and burned. Later Sergeant Kusick remains were identified, but were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you! ***
JOSEPH GEORGE KUSICK - Army - SGT - E5
Age: 22
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Feb 26, 1945
From: BRUIN, PA
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Joseph Y. Kusick from Petrolia, Penn. and Mother, Emma J. Scott (Re-married)of Emlenton, Penn.. Margaret A. Kusick, Shirley Ann Kusick Craig, William M. Kusick and T... B. Kusick. He has NO children.
Length of service 2 years
His tour began on Nov 8, 1967
Casualty was on Nov 8, 1967
In , LAOS
Hostile, died while missing, HELICOPTER - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 29E - Line 51
Other Personnel in Incident: Bruce R. Baxter; Ralph W. Brower; Eugene L. Clay; Larry W. Maysey (all missing); Gerald O. Young and 3 indigenous personnel (rescued)
At 1630Z, Jolly Green 29 picked up the three indigenous personnel before being driven off by hostile fire.
Jolly Green 29 left and made an emergency landing at Khe Sanh. 20 minutes later, Jolly Green 26, flown by CAPT Gerald Young, with flight crew consisting of CAPT Ralph Brower, co-pilot; SSGT Eugene Clay, flight engineer; and SGT Larry Maysey, rescue specialist.
Braved the ground fire to pick up Special Forces SP4 Joseph G. Kusick and MSGT Bruce R. Baxter, both wounded.
Crew and Spike Team UTAH Members on Rescue Helicopter HH-3, Jolly Green 26,which was shot down and crashed on 09 November 1967 in Laos.
Row 47 - MSgt Bruce Raymond Baxter, US Army, Team Leader, Spike Team UTAH Row 51 - Sp4 Joseph George Kusick, US Army, Radio Operator, Spike Team UTAH
The helicopter was hit by automatic weapons fire, crashed and burst into flames.
By the afternoon of November 9, a recovery team was inserted into the area and reached the crash site of the burned HH3. Because of fading light, it was impossible to inspect the wreckage at that time.
On 10 November, the wreckage was searched and 3 charred remains were found. Two of the remains had identification tags which identified them as members of the crew.
The third remains had no tags, but were identified as SP4
Kusick, radio operator of the reconnaissance team, as the long antenna from his PRC-25 radio were found on his body.
CAPT Young had survived and was rescued 17 hours after the crash of the aircraft. About 34 meters downhill from the wreckage, another set of remains were found which were readily identified as MSGT Baxter from the facial features.
No trace was found of the third crew member. The remains of the two crewmen and Kusick were removed from the aircraft and placed with MSGT Baxter's remains so they could be hoisted as one lift into a hovering helicopter.
The identificaton tags of the crewmembers were placed with the remains. Weather conditions and enemy action would not permit helicopters to make the extraction either that day or the day following.
The remains of the crew and passengers aboard Jolly Green 26 were never recovered.
Although the location of the crash is known, the bodies of the crew and recon team who died still lie on foreign soil.
*************
26 March 2007 - Latest Update on the Search
From Jeff Nash:
There's really no more news on any recovery of remains from the JG 26 crash site. Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command out of Hawaii has been to the site a couple of times in the last few years and did some excavating, but no luck.
************************************
.
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