Captain Hulse graduated from West Point but was not commissioned because he had gotten married during his last week there (West Point forbids its cadets to marry until after graduation). The army in their wisdom drafted him and allowed him to go to artillery officer candidate school 1967-1968. He graduated OCS and attended Helicopter flight school. He was remember by his OCS class mates as "1. As fine of an individual as I ever met in the army. There were 68 people in our class. I was hoping as I checked my list of orders, that they had all made it out of Vietnam alive. Tears came to my eyes as I realized that Captain Hulse was the only one who was killed there.
2. More "strack" than most in my battery. Commanded a platoon (not mine) there. Well regarded. Knew his USMA history. Sad day when he crashed.
3. As an OCS barrack mate of Richard Hulse I got to know a person who was the ideal q+military officer. We all became aware of his not receiving his commission from West Point due to a premature marriage. Their loss, our gain. It was like having our own personal Tac officer. Seriously doubt I would have passed the look leadership portion of OCS without his advice and guidance. His example was of great use as I went directly to Vietnam eventually in an infantry role. News of his death after my tour and stateside was one of the saddest points of my life. He was the best of us.
4. I was also a member of Richard's OCS class. Most of us, if not all, were college graduates and only a few had any military bearing, Richard was on the other far side of that curve. Our class got a two week leave during Christmas 1967 and I knew that Richard and his wife were expecting a baby at any minute. When I first saw Richard after the first of the year I asked him how the baby was. He thanked me for asking said unfortunately the baby had died. He was the strongest person I even knew. I was serving as a pilot in 1970 when I read he had died. He probably would have been a upper level officer had he survived.
5. He was a friend to me during OCS. He encouraged me to persevere when I was discouraged. Just a few of his encouraging words here and there made a great difference in my attitude. He was such a positive person that that I never forgot him. I look forward to the day he is resurrected back to the earth and enjoys the paradise it will be.
Contributor: john (49249802)
One more class mate recollection and the aircraft accident investigation
I first met Richard in December of 1967. We were both brand new Officer Candidates at Fort Sill and ended up being cube (room without complete walls and no door) mates for the next six months. When our wives came to Fort Sill, they decided to room together to save money.
We both went to Flight School and were in the same class 69-8. We both ended up
being assigned to the 101st but he was assigned to the ARA Battery and I ended up getting assigned to the Division Artillery Aviation unit. He flew Cobras and I flew Loaches and we worked together many times.
On March 20, 1970, I was shot down along a ridge line southwest of Camp Eagle.
Three days later, Richard and the pilot he was giving a lesson to were shot down not 2 kilometers from where I was shot down.
Call it luck, call it fate, call it anything you want. We were very close in life and but for 2 kilometers, we would be connected in death.
It is said that as long as one person is alive who remembers you, you are not gone. I go to The Wall twice a year to pay my respects to you and my other fallen comrades, and you all have faces I remember.
Richard, may you rest in peace and may God Bless Your Soul.
Bob Reigel
A/377 Arty
Gunner 84
22 Feb 2008
From www.flyarmy.org
HULSE RICHARD DAVID
Name: CPT Richard David Hulse (posthumously promoted)
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 03/23/1970 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander.
Age at death: 24.9
Date of Birth: 05/05/1945
Home City: Flagstaff, AZ
Service: FA branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: B/4/77 ARA 101 ABN
Major organization: 101st Airborne Division
Flight class: 69-8
Service: FA branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 12W-035
Short Summary: Aircraft accident. See Pardee.
Aircraft: AH-1G tail number 67-15602
Service number: O5434346
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 1981 = 19 Rotary Wing Aviator (Unit Commander)
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: co-pilot
Started Tour: 05/30/1969
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 02
Location: Thua Thien Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Religion: Protestant - no denominational preference
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: officer
This record was last updated on 12/26/1996
Helicopter AH-1G 67-15602
Information on U.S. Army helicopter AH-1G tail number 67-15602
The Army purchased this helicopter 0568
Total flight hours at this point: 00000483
Date: 03/23/1970
Incident number: 70032333.KIA
Unit: B/4/77 ARA 101 ABN
This was a Combat Loss caused by being shot down by Ground Fire less than .50 cal in size with the mission function of Training
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
This was a Miscellaneous mission for Training Flight
While in Operations Area this helicopter was in Orbit at UNK feet and UNK knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: YD737016
Helicopter took 1 hits from:
Explosive Weapon; Non-Artillery launched or static weapons containing explosive
charges.
causing a Blast.
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = 02 DOI
Search and rescue operations were Not Required
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Burned
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated:
Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center AVDAC database. Defense
Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Survivability/Vulnerability Information
Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: OPERA, LNNF, CRAFX, FM385, CASRP
(Operations Report. Lindenmuth New Format Data Base. Crash Facts Message.
Casualty Report.)
Loss to Inventory and Helicopter was not recovered
Crew Members:
P WO1 PARDEE SCOTT KENTON KIA
AC CPT HULSE RICHARD DAVID KIA
War Story:
CPT Rich Hulse was giving WO1 Scotty Pardee a back seat check out on a training
flight. Since they were overdue and I was on my way back from the A Shau Valley, I was told to start S&R (Search and Rescue) and was given the approximate location where they were supposed to be working. I did find the burned wreckage and called it in. It could never be determined if they were hit by enemy fire or flew through a GT (gun to target) line. The transmission had left the aircraft in flight. Submitted by Bill Gurski, Dec 1996.
Contributor: john (49249802)
2. More "strack" than most in my battery. Commanded a platoon (not mine) there. Well regarded. Knew his USMA history. Sad day when he crashed.
3. As an OCS barrack mate of Richard Hulse I got to know a person who was the ideal q+military officer. We all became aware of his not receiving his commission from West Point due to a premature marriage. Their loss, our gain. It was like having our own personal Tac officer. Seriously doubt I would have passed the look leadership portion of OCS without his advice and guidance. His example was of great use as I went directly to Vietnam eventually in an infantry role. News of his death after my tour and stateside was one of the saddest points of my life. He was the best of us.
4. I was also a member of Richard's OCS class. Most of us, if not all, were college graduates and only a few had any military bearing, Richard was on the other far side of that curve. Our class got a two week leave during Christmas 1967 and I knew that Richard and his wife were expecting a baby at any minute. When I first saw Richard after the first of the year I asked him how the baby was. He thanked me for asking said unfortunately the baby had died. He was the strongest person I even knew. I was serving as a pilot in 1970 when I read he had died. He probably would have been a upper level officer had he survived.
5. He was a friend to me during OCS. He encouraged me to persevere when I was discouraged. Just a few of his encouraging words here and there made a great difference in my attitude. He was such a positive person that that I never forgot him. I look forward to the day he is resurrected back to the earth and enjoys the paradise it will be.
Contributor: john (49249802)
One more class mate recollection and the aircraft accident investigation
I first met Richard in December of 1967. We were both brand new Officer Candidates at Fort Sill and ended up being cube (room without complete walls and no door) mates for the next six months. When our wives came to Fort Sill, they decided to room together to save money.
We both went to Flight School and were in the same class 69-8. We both ended up
being assigned to the 101st but he was assigned to the ARA Battery and I ended up getting assigned to the Division Artillery Aviation unit. He flew Cobras and I flew Loaches and we worked together many times.
On March 20, 1970, I was shot down along a ridge line southwest of Camp Eagle.
Three days later, Richard and the pilot he was giving a lesson to were shot down not 2 kilometers from where I was shot down.
Call it luck, call it fate, call it anything you want. We were very close in life and but for 2 kilometers, we would be connected in death.
It is said that as long as one person is alive who remembers you, you are not gone. I go to The Wall twice a year to pay my respects to you and my other fallen comrades, and you all have faces I remember.
Richard, may you rest in peace and may God Bless Your Soul.
Bob Reigel
A/377 Arty
Gunner 84
22 Feb 2008
From www.flyarmy.org
HULSE RICHARD DAVID
Name: CPT Richard David Hulse (posthumously promoted)
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 03/23/1970 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander.
Age at death: 24.9
Date of Birth: 05/05/1945
Home City: Flagstaff, AZ
Service: FA branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: B/4/77 ARA 101 ABN
Major organization: 101st Airborne Division
Flight class: 69-8
Service: FA branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 12W-035
Short Summary: Aircraft accident. See Pardee.
Aircraft: AH-1G tail number 67-15602
Service number: O5434346
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 1981 = 19 Rotary Wing Aviator (Unit Commander)
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: co-pilot
Started Tour: 05/30/1969
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 02
Location: Thua Thien Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Religion: Protestant - no denominational preference
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: officer
This record was last updated on 12/26/1996
Helicopter AH-1G 67-15602
Information on U.S. Army helicopter AH-1G tail number 67-15602
The Army purchased this helicopter 0568
Total flight hours at this point: 00000483
Date: 03/23/1970
Incident number: 70032333.KIA
Unit: B/4/77 ARA 101 ABN
This was a Combat Loss caused by being shot down by Ground Fire less than .50 cal in size with the mission function of Training
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
This was a Miscellaneous mission for Training Flight
While in Operations Area this helicopter was in Orbit at UNK feet and UNK knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: YD737016
Helicopter took 1 hits from:
Explosive Weapon; Non-Artillery launched or static weapons containing explosive
charges.
causing a Blast.
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = 02 DOI
Search and rescue operations were Not Required
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Burned
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated:
Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center AVDAC database. Defense
Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Survivability/Vulnerability Information
Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: OPERA, LNNF, CRAFX, FM385, CASRP
(Operations Report. Lindenmuth New Format Data Base. Crash Facts Message.
Casualty Report.)
Loss to Inventory and Helicopter was not recovered
Crew Members:
P WO1 PARDEE SCOTT KENTON KIA
AC CPT HULSE RICHARD DAVID KIA
War Story:
CPT Rich Hulse was giving WO1 Scotty Pardee a back seat check out on a training
flight. Since they were overdue and I was on my way back from the A Shau Valley, I was told to start S&R (Search and Rescue) and was given the approximate location where they were supposed to be working. I did find the burned wreckage and called it in. It could never be determined if they were hit by enemy fire or flew through a GT (gun to target) line. The transmission had left the aircraft in flight. Submitted by Bill Gurski, Dec 1996.
Contributor: john (49249802)
Captain Hulse graduated from West Point but was not commissioned because he had gotten married during his last week there (West Point forbids its cadets to marry until after graduation). The army in their wisdom drafted him and allowed him to go to artillery officer candidate school 1967-1968. He graduated OCS and attended Helicopter flight school. He was remember by his OCS class mates as "1. As fine of an individual as I ever met in the army. There were 68 people in our class. I was hoping as I checked my list of orders, that they had all made it out of Vietnam alive. Tears came to my eyes as I realized that Captain Hulse was the only one who was killed there.
2. More "strack" than most in my battery. Commanded a platoon (not mine) there. Well regarded. Knew his USMA history. Sad day when he crashed.
3. As an OCS barrack mate of Richard Hulse I got to know a person who was the ideal q+military officer. We all became aware of his not receiving his commission from West Point due to a premature marriage. Their loss, our gain. It was like having our own personal Tac officer. Seriously doubt I would have passed the look leadership portion of OCS without his advice and guidance. His example was of great use as I went directly to Vietnam eventually in an infantry role. News of his death after my tour and stateside was one of the saddest points of my life. He was the best of us.
4. I was also a member of Richard's OCS class. Most of us, if not all, were college graduates and only a few had any military bearing, Richard was on the other far side of that curve. Our class got a two week leave during Christmas 1967 and I knew that Richard and his wife were expecting a baby at any minute. When I first saw Richard after the first of the year I asked him how the baby was. He thanked me for asking said unfortunately the baby had died. He was the strongest person I even knew. I was serving as a pilot in 1970 when I read he had died. He probably would have been a upper level officer had he survived.
5. He was a friend to me during OCS. He encouraged me to persevere when I was discouraged. Just a few of his encouraging words here and there made a great difference in my attitude. He was such a positive person that that I never forgot him. I look forward to the day he is resurrected back to the earth and enjoys the paradise it will be.
Contributor: john (49249802)
One more class mate recollection and the aircraft accident investigation
I first met Richard in December of 1967. We were both brand new Officer Candidates at Fort Sill and ended up being cube (room without complete walls and no door) mates for the next six months. When our wives came to Fort Sill, they decided to room together to save money.
We both went to Flight School and were in the same class 69-8. We both ended up
being assigned to the 101st but he was assigned to the ARA Battery and I ended up getting assigned to the Division Artillery Aviation unit. He flew Cobras and I flew Loaches and we worked together many times.
On March 20, 1970, I was shot down along a ridge line southwest of Camp Eagle.
Three days later, Richard and the pilot he was giving a lesson to were shot down not 2 kilometers from where I was shot down.
Call it luck, call it fate, call it anything you want. We were very close in life and but for 2 kilometers, we would be connected in death.
It is said that as long as one person is alive who remembers you, you are not gone. I go to The Wall twice a year to pay my respects to you and my other fallen comrades, and you all have faces I remember.
Richard, may you rest in peace and may God Bless Your Soul.
Bob Reigel
A/377 Arty
Gunner 84
22 Feb 2008
From www.flyarmy.org
HULSE RICHARD DAVID
Name: CPT Richard David Hulse (posthumously promoted)
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 03/23/1970 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander.
Age at death: 24.9
Date of Birth: 05/05/1945
Home City: Flagstaff, AZ
Service: FA branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: B/4/77 ARA 101 ABN
Major organization: 101st Airborne Division
Flight class: 69-8
Service: FA branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 12W-035
Short Summary: Aircraft accident. See Pardee.
Aircraft: AH-1G tail number 67-15602
Service number: O5434346
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 1981 = 19 Rotary Wing Aviator (Unit Commander)
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: co-pilot
Started Tour: 05/30/1969
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 02
Location: Thua Thien Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Religion: Protestant - no denominational preference
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: officer
This record was last updated on 12/26/1996
Helicopter AH-1G 67-15602
Information on U.S. Army helicopter AH-1G tail number 67-15602
The Army purchased this helicopter 0568
Total flight hours at this point: 00000483
Date: 03/23/1970
Incident number: 70032333.KIA
Unit: B/4/77 ARA 101 ABN
This was a Combat Loss caused by being shot down by Ground Fire less than .50 cal in size with the mission function of Training
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
This was a Miscellaneous mission for Training Flight
While in Operations Area this helicopter was in Orbit at UNK feet and UNK knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: YD737016
Helicopter took 1 hits from:
Explosive Weapon; Non-Artillery launched or static weapons containing explosive
charges.
causing a Blast.
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = 02 DOI
Search and rescue operations were Not Required
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Burned
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated:
Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center AVDAC database. Defense
Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Survivability/Vulnerability Information
Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: OPERA, LNNF, CRAFX, FM385, CASRP
(Operations Report. Lindenmuth New Format Data Base. Crash Facts Message.
Casualty Report.)
Loss to Inventory and Helicopter was not recovered
Crew Members:
P WO1 PARDEE SCOTT KENTON KIA
AC CPT HULSE RICHARD DAVID KIA
War Story:
CPT Rich Hulse was giving WO1 Scotty Pardee a back seat check out on a training
flight. Since they were overdue and I was on my way back from the A Shau Valley, I was told to start S&R (Search and Rescue) and was given the approximate location where they were supposed to be working. I did find the burned wreckage and called it in. It could never be determined if they were hit by enemy fire or flew through a GT (gun to target) line. The transmission had left the aircraft in flight. Submitted by Bill Gurski, Dec 1996.
Contributor: john (49249802)
2. More "strack" than most in my battery. Commanded a platoon (not mine) there. Well regarded. Knew his USMA history. Sad day when he crashed.
3. As an OCS barrack mate of Richard Hulse I got to know a person who was the ideal q+military officer. We all became aware of his not receiving his commission from West Point due to a premature marriage. Their loss, our gain. It was like having our own personal Tac officer. Seriously doubt I would have passed the look leadership portion of OCS without his advice and guidance. His example was of great use as I went directly to Vietnam eventually in an infantry role. News of his death after my tour and stateside was one of the saddest points of my life. He was the best of us.
4. I was also a member of Richard's OCS class. Most of us, if not all, were college graduates and only a few had any military bearing, Richard was on the other far side of that curve. Our class got a two week leave during Christmas 1967 and I knew that Richard and his wife were expecting a baby at any minute. When I first saw Richard after the first of the year I asked him how the baby was. He thanked me for asking said unfortunately the baby had died. He was the strongest person I even knew. I was serving as a pilot in 1970 when I read he had died. He probably would have been a upper level officer had he survived.
5. He was a friend to me during OCS. He encouraged me to persevere when I was discouraged. Just a few of his encouraging words here and there made a great difference in my attitude. He was such a positive person that that I never forgot him. I look forward to the day he is resurrected back to the earth and enjoys the paradise it will be.
Contributor: john (49249802)
One more class mate recollection and the aircraft accident investigation
I first met Richard in December of 1967. We were both brand new Officer Candidates at Fort Sill and ended up being cube (room without complete walls and no door) mates for the next six months. When our wives came to Fort Sill, they decided to room together to save money.
We both went to Flight School and were in the same class 69-8. We both ended up
being assigned to the 101st but he was assigned to the ARA Battery and I ended up getting assigned to the Division Artillery Aviation unit. He flew Cobras and I flew Loaches and we worked together many times.
On March 20, 1970, I was shot down along a ridge line southwest of Camp Eagle.
Three days later, Richard and the pilot he was giving a lesson to were shot down not 2 kilometers from where I was shot down.
Call it luck, call it fate, call it anything you want. We were very close in life and but for 2 kilometers, we would be connected in death.
It is said that as long as one person is alive who remembers you, you are not gone. I go to The Wall twice a year to pay my respects to you and my other fallen comrades, and you all have faces I remember.
Richard, may you rest in peace and may God Bless Your Soul.
Bob Reigel
A/377 Arty
Gunner 84
22 Feb 2008
From www.flyarmy.org
HULSE RICHARD DAVID
Name: CPT Richard David Hulse (posthumously promoted)
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 03/23/1970 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander.
Age at death: 24.9
Date of Birth: 05/05/1945
Home City: Flagstaff, AZ
Service: FA branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: B/4/77 ARA 101 ABN
Major organization: 101st Airborne Division
Flight class: 69-8
Service: FA branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 12W-035
Short Summary: Aircraft accident. See Pardee.
Aircraft: AH-1G tail number 67-15602
Service number: O5434346
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 1981 = 19 Rotary Wing Aviator (Unit Commander)
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: co-pilot
Started Tour: 05/30/1969
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 02
Location: Thua Thien Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Religion: Protestant - no denominational preference
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: officer
This record was last updated on 12/26/1996
Helicopter AH-1G 67-15602
Information on U.S. Army helicopter AH-1G tail number 67-15602
The Army purchased this helicopter 0568
Total flight hours at this point: 00000483
Date: 03/23/1970
Incident number: 70032333.KIA
Unit: B/4/77 ARA 101 ABN
This was a Combat Loss caused by being shot down by Ground Fire less than .50 cal in size with the mission function of Training
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
This was a Miscellaneous mission for Training Flight
While in Operations Area this helicopter was in Orbit at UNK feet and UNK knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: YD737016
Helicopter took 1 hits from:
Explosive Weapon; Non-Artillery launched or static weapons containing explosive
charges.
causing a Blast.
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = 02 DOI
Search and rescue operations were Not Required
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Burned
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated:
Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center AVDAC database. Defense
Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Survivability/Vulnerability Information
Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: OPERA, LNNF, CRAFX, FM385, CASRP
(Operations Report. Lindenmuth New Format Data Base. Crash Facts Message.
Casualty Report.)
Loss to Inventory and Helicopter was not recovered
Crew Members:
P WO1 PARDEE SCOTT KENTON KIA
AC CPT HULSE RICHARD DAVID KIA
War Story:
CPT Rich Hulse was giving WO1 Scotty Pardee a back seat check out on a training
flight. Since they were overdue and I was on my way back from the A Shau Valley, I was told to start S&R (Search and Rescue) and was given the approximate location where they were supposed to be working. I did find the burned wreckage and called it in. It could never be determined if they were hit by enemy fire or flew through a GT (gun to target) line. The transmission had left the aircraft in flight. Submitted by Bill Gurski, Dec 1996.
Contributor: john (49249802)
Inscription
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CPT BTRY B 4 BN 77 ARTY
VIETNAM DFC & OLC
BSMN-AM & 19 OLC-ARCOM
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