In Memory of ........ SMAJ. Ronald James Dexter.
*** Memorial stone at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Matteson, Cook County, Illinois, USA.
*** Sergeant Major Dexter was a member of Command and Control Detachment, 5th Special Forces Group. On June 3, 1967, he was a passenger in a Boeing Sea Knight Cargo Helicopter (CH-46A) on an extraction mission 15 miles inside Laos west of the A Shau Valley, that received enemy fire and crashed on takeoff. He was taken prisoner and died in captivity. His remains 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!
RONALD JAMES DEXTER - Army - SMAJ - E9 Special Forces
Age: 34
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Jul 23, 1933
From: ABILENE, TX
Religion: BAPTIST
Marital Status: Married - Ronald Dexter's, wife and six children, still reside in Mineral Wells, TX.. They moved there in 1967, before he, left for Vietnam. His wife is Bobbie Florene Terrell/Tirrel Dexter(born - July 28, 1938 died - February 1, 2009: 70 years TX 76067 (Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto County)the following is a list of the six children, he left behind: Ronnie James Dexter, Jr. - July 27, 1954 - October 10, 2009, Sheila Dexter, Connie Glover, Donna Carradine, Danny Joe Dexter and Ted Lee Dexter.* Ronnie (Deceased - July 27, 1954 - October 10, 2009), Danny and Ted Dexter and Bubba Epps, all of Mineral Wells, and Danny and T. Chaney of Lebanon, MO. Sheila Dexter, Connie and Bruce Glover, Donna Carradine, and Mary Epps, all of Mineral Wells, Amy Michelle and Bill Schoonover of Lebanon, MO.
Parents: Father, Ted J. Dexter, Born, Apr. 15, 1900, and Died Apr. 27, 1993 in Danforth, Iroquois County, llinois and Mother, Elsie A. Umland Dexter, Born, Jan. 26, 1907, Goodland, Newton County, Indiana and Died Jul. 30, 1939 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
* Maternal Grandparents: Lewis and Mary Stone Terrell.
***** Dad, i miss you today, tomorrow and everyday. You wouldn't believe how many people i still hear from that wore your bracelet during the war, some have even sent me theirs. I hope you and Mom and Ronnie had a joyous reunion... Anyone wanting to contact me, (the oldest daughter of Ronald James Dexter) my current email address is [email protected] If you knew my dad in any way, shape or form, drop me a line when you have time, God Bless
- Sheila Dexter
Added: Aug. 8, 2013
***** I am the oldest daughter of Ronald James Dexter who died in Vietnam in 1967, i need to update my email address
so that others can contact me if they knew my dad, my current email address is [email protected]
RIP dad..... mom and Ronne are now with you...
- Sheila Dexter
***** Survivors - Ronald Dexter's, wife and six children, still reside in Mineral Wells, TX.. They moved there in 1967, before he left for Vietnam. His wife is Bobbie Florene Dexter, the following is a list of the six children, he left behind: Ronnie Dexter, Sheila McElyea, Connie Glover, Donna Carradine, Danny Dexter and Ted Dexter.
***** Ted Dexter in the 1940 Census (YOUR DADDY)
First Name: Ted
Last Name: Dexter
Age at Time of Census: 40
Gender: Male
Race: White
Ethnicity: American
Est. Birth Year: 1900
Birth Location: Indiana Map
Residence: Ward 19, Chicago, Chicago City, Cook, IL
Relationship to Head of Household: Lodger
Other People in Household:
Sylvia Moore
46 yrs, Female
Shirley Moore
13 yrs, Female
Sylvia Moore
7 yrs, Female
Florence Murray
41 yrs, Female
Ruth Murray
12 yrs, Female
Teddie Dexter
10 yrs, Male
Marital Status: Widowed
Language: English
Collection: 1940 U.S. Federal Population Census
Casualty was on Jun 3, 1967
In LZ, LAOS
Ronald Dexter, according to Frank Cius, was captured, and died in captivity on July 29, 1967.
Hostile, died captured, GROUND CASUALTY
Body was not recovered
Panel 21E - Line 43
Other Personnel In Incident: Frank E. Cius (returned POW 1973), Timothy R.Bodden, John G. Gardner, Stephen P. Hanson. (all missing), Mr. Ky (Nung Cdr. - wounded and rescued), Charles F. Wilklow (rescued).
On June 3, 1967, Capt. Steven P. Hanson, pilot; 1Lt. John G. Gardner, co-pilot; Sgt. Timothy R. Bodden, crew chief/door gunner; LCpl. Frank E. Cius, doorgunner;SFC Billy R. Laney, SFC Ronald J. Dexter, SFC Charles F. Wilklow and an unknown number of ARVN personnel, all passengers,were aboard a CH46A helicopter on an extraction mission in Laos.
The aircraft received extensive automatic small arms fire upon takeoff from the Landing Zone, took numerous hits and crashed 350 meters from the LZ, located about 15 miles inside Laos west of the A Shau Valley.
The helicopter did not burn on impact, and continued to receive fire. Three ARVN troops were able to return to the LZ where the troops remaining at the LZ were extracted the following day. The troops waiting at the LZ could not search because of the hostile threat in the area.
Air searches located the survivors of the crash, but they could not be evacuated.
The only America found to be in a position to be safely evacuated was SFC Wilklow. He gave the following account of what happened to the crew and passengers aboard the CH46:
SFC Dexter appeared uninjured and left the wreckage with a large number of ARVN troops. Capt. Hanson was wounded and outside the helicopter, but stated that he had to return to get his carbine. The Marine Corps believes he died of the wounds he received when the aircraft was overrun, although Hanson's wife later identified her husband in a widely distributed Vietnamese propaganda photograph of a pilot being captured.
When last seen, all the other Americans were still in the wreckage, and enemy troops were tossing grenades toward the aircraft with no attempt to capture the personnel inside. Wilklow left the crash site, and noted that gunfire suddenly stopped. He continued to evade the enemy and was picked up 3 days later.
Ronald Dexter, according to Frank Cius, was captured, and died in captivity on July 29, 1967.
************************
(A total of 23 Americans were lost).
SFC Dexter was last seen exiting a downed CH-46 helicopter and taken as a Prisoner of War, but never reached North Vietnam alive. A report obtained from a captured Nung Commando who was later released tells of Cpt Hanson, Lt
Gardner, and Sgt Bodden being executed by the North Vietnamese Soldiers. Of the six Americans MIAs, only USMC Lance Corporal Frank E. Cius, Jr. was confirmed by Hanoi.
After Cius's release in 1973, he told Dexter's brother that Ronald Dexter had been captured but died in enemy hands.
************************************
.
*** Memorial stone at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Matteson, Cook County, Illinois, USA.
*** Sergeant Major Dexter was a member of Command and Control Detachment, 5th Special Forces Group. On June 3, 1967, he was a passenger in a Boeing Sea Knight Cargo Helicopter (CH-46A) on an extraction mission 15 miles inside Laos west of the A Shau Valley, that received enemy fire and crashed on takeoff. He was taken prisoner and died in captivity. His remains 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!
RONALD JAMES DEXTER - Army - SMAJ - E9 Special Forces
Age: 34
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Jul 23, 1933
From: ABILENE, TX
Religion: BAPTIST
Marital Status: Married - Ronald Dexter's, wife and six children, still reside in Mineral Wells, TX.. They moved there in 1967, before he, left for Vietnam. His wife is Bobbie Florene Terrell/Tirrel Dexter(born - July 28, 1938 died - February 1, 2009: 70 years TX 76067 (Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto County)the following is a list of the six children, he left behind: Ronnie James Dexter, Jr. - July 27, 1954 - October 10, 2009, Sheila Dexter, Connie Glover, Donna Carradine, Danny Joe Dexter and Ted Lee Dexter.* Ronnie (Deceased - July 27, 1954 - October 10, 2009), Danny and Ted Dexter and Bubba Epps, all of Mineral Wells, and Danny and T. Chaney of Lebanon, MO. Sheila Dexter, Connie and Bruce Glover, Donna Carradine, and Mary Epps, all of Mineral Wells, Amy Michelle and Bill Schoonover of Lebanon, MO.
Parents: Father, Ted J. Dexter, Born, Apr. 15, 1900, and Died Apr. 27, 1993 in Danforth, Iroquois County, llinois and Mother, Elsie A. Umland Dexter, Born, Jan. 26, 1907, Goodland, Newton County, Indiana and Died Jul. 30, 1939 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
* Maternal Grandparents: Lewis and Mary Stone Terrell.
***** Dad, i miss you today, tomorrow and everyday. You wouldn't believe how many people i still hear from that wore your bracelet during the war, some have even sent me theirs. I hope you and Mom and Ronnie had a joyous reunion... Anyone wanting to contact me, (the oldest daughter of Ronald James Dexter) my current email address is [email protected] If you knew my dad in any way, shape or form, drop me a line when you have time, God Bless
- Sheila Dexter
Added: Aug. 8, 2013
***** I am the oldest daughter of Ronald James Dexter who died in Vietnam in 1967, i need to update my email address
so that others can contact me if they knew my dad, my current email address is [email protected]
RIP dad..... mom and Ronne are now with you...
- Sheila Dexter
***** Survivors - Ronald Dexter's, wife and six children, still reside in Mineral Wells, TX.. They moved there in 1967, before he left for Vietnam. His wife is Bobbie Florene Dexter, the following is a list of the six children, he left behind: Ronnie Dexter, Sheila McElyea, Connie Glover, Donna Carradine, Danny Dexter and Ted Dexter.
***** Ted Dexter in the 1940 Census (YOUR DADDY)
First Name: Ted
Last Name: Dexter
Age at Time of Census: 40
Gender: Male
Race: White
Ethnicity: American
Est. Birth Year: 1900
Birth Location: Indiana Map
Residence: Ward 19, Chicago, Chicago City, Cook, IL
Relationship to Head of Household: Lodger
Other People in Household:
Sylvia Moore
46 yrs, Female
Shirley Moore
13 yrs, Female
Sylvia Moore
7 yrs, Female
Florence Murray
41 yrs, Female
Ruth Murray
12 yrs, Female
Teddie Dexter
10 yrs, Male
Marital Status: Widowed
Language: English
Collection: 1940 U.S. Federal Population Census
Casualty was on Jun 3, 1967
In LZ, LAOS
Ronald Dexter, according to Frank Cius, was captured, and died in captivity on July 29, 1967.
Hostile, died captured, GROUND CASUALTY
Body was not recovered
Panel 21E - Line 43
Other Personnel In Incident: Frank E. Cius (returned POW 1973), Timothy R.Bodden, John G. Gardner, Stephen P. Hanson. (all missing), Mr. Ky (Nung Cdr. - wounded and rescued), Charles F. Wilklow (rescued).
On June 3, 1967, Capt. Steven P. Hanson, pilot; 1Lt. John G. Gardner, co-pilot; Sgt. Timothy R. Bodden, crew chief/door gunner; LCpl. Frank E. Cius, doorgunner;SFC Billy R. Laney, SFC Ronald J. Dexter, SFC Charles F. Wilklow and an unknown number of ARVN personnel, all passengers,were aboard a CH46A helicopter on an extraction mission in Laos.
The aircraft received extensive automatic small arms fire upon takeoff from the Landing Zone, took numerous hits and crashed 350 meters from the LZ, located about 15 miles inside Laos west of the A Shau Valley.
The helicopter did not burn on impact, and continued to receive fire. Three ARVN troops were able to return to the LZ where the troops remaining at the LZ were extracted the following day. The troops waiting at the LZ could not search because of the hostile threat in the area.
Air searches located the survivors of the crash, but they could not be evacuated.
The only America found to be in a position to be safely evacuated was SFC Wilklow. He gave the following account of what happened to the crew and passengers aboard the CH46:
SFC Dexter appeared uninjured and left the wreckage with a large number of ARVN troops. Capt. Hanson was wounded and outside the helicopter, but stated that he had to return to get his carbine. The Marine Corps believes he died of the wounds he received when the aircraft was overrun, although Hanson's wife later identified her husband in a widely distributed Vietnamese propaganda photograph of a pilot being captured.
When last seen, all the other Americans were still in the wreckage, and enemy troops were tossing grenades toward the aircraft with no attempt to capture the personnel inside. Wilklow left the crash site, and noted that gunfire suddenly stopped. He continued to evade the enemy and was picked up 3 days later.
Ronald Dexter, according to Frank Cius, was captured, and died in captivity on July 29, 1967.
************************
(A total of 23 Americans were lost).
SFC Dexter was last seen exiting a downed CH-46 helicopter and taken as a Prisoner of War, but never reached North Vietnam alive. A report obtained from a captured Nung Commando who was later released tells of Cpt Hanson, Lt
Gardner, and Sgt Bodden being executed by the North Vietnamese Soldiers. Of the six Americans MIAs, only USMC Lance Corporal Frank E. Cius, Jr. was confirmed by Hanoi.
After Cius's release in 1973, he told Dexter's brother that Ronald Dexter had been captured but died in enemy hands.
************************************
.
In Memory of ........ SMAJ. Ronald James Dexter.
*** Memorial stone at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Matteson, Cook County, Illinois, USA.
*** Sergeant Major Dexter was a member of Command and Control Detachment, 5th Special Forces Group. On June 3, 1967, he was a passenger in a Boeing Sea Knight Cargo Helicopter (CH-46A) on an extraction mission 15 miles inside Laos west of the A Shau Valley, that received enemy fire and crashed on takeoff. He was taken prisoner and died in captivity. His remains 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!
RONALD JAMES DEXTER - Army - SMAJ - E9 Special Forces
Age: 34
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Jul 23, 1933
From: ABILENE, TX
Religion: BAPTIST
Marital Status: Married - Ronald Dexter's, wife and six children, still reside in Mineral Wells, TX.. They moved there in 1967, before he, left for Vietnam. His wife is Bobbie Florene Terrell/Tirrel Dexter(born - July 28, 1938 died - February 1, 2009: 70 years TX 76067 (Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto County)the following is a list of the six children, he left behind: Ronnie James Dexter, Jr. - July 27, 1954 - October 10, 2009, Sheila Dexter, Connie Glover, Donna Carradine, Danny Joe Dexter and Ted Lee Dexter.* Ronnie (Deceased - July 27, 1954 - October 10, 2009), Danny and Ted Dexter and Bubba Epps, all of Mineral Wells, and Danny and T. Chaney of Lebanon, MO. Sheila Dexter, Connie and Bruce Glover, Donna Carradine, and Mary Epps, all of Mineral Wells, Amy Michelle and Bill Schoonover of Lebanon, MO.
Parents: Father, Ted J. Dexter, Born, Apr. 15, 1900, and Died Apr. 27, 1993 in Danforth, Iroquois County, llinois and Mother, Elsie A. Umland Dexter, Born, Jan. 26, 1907, Goodland, Newton County, Indiana and Died Jul. 30, 1939 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
* Maternal Grandparents: Lewis and Mary Stone Terrell.
***** Dad, i miss you today, tomorrow and everyday. You wouldn't believe how many people i still hear from that wore your bracelet during the war, some have even sent me theirs. I hope you and Mom and Ronnie had a joyous reunion... Anyone wanting to contact me, (the oldest daughter of Ronald James Dexter) my current email address is [email protected] If you knew my dad in any way, shape or form, drop me a line when you have time, God Bless
- Sheila Dexter
Added: Aug. 8, 2013
***** I am the oldest daughter of Ronald James Dexter who died in Vietnam in 1967, i need to update my email address
so that others can contact me if they knew my dad, my current email address is [email protected]
RIP dad..... mom and Ronne are now with you...
- Sheila Dexter
***** Survivors - Ronald Dexter's, wife and six children, still reside in Mineral Wells, TX.. They moved there in 1967, before he left for Vietnam. His wife is Bobbie Florene Dexter, the following is a list of the six children, he left behind: Ronnie Dexter, Sheila McElyea, Connie Glover, Donna Carradine, Danny Dexter and Ted Dexter.
***** Ted Dexter in the 1940 Census (YOUR DADDY)
First Name: Ted
Last Name: Dexter
Age at Time of Census: 40
Gender: Male
Race: White
Ethnicity: American
Est. Birth Year: 1900
Birth Location: Indiana Map
Residence: Ward 19, Chicago, Chicago City, Cook, IL
Relationship to Head of Household: Lodger
Other People in Household:
Sylvia Moore
46 yrs, Female
Shirley Moore
13 yrs, Female
Sylvia Moore
7 yrs, Female
Florence Murray
41 yrs, Female
Ruth Murray
12 yrs, Female
Teddie Dexter
10 yrs, Male
Marital Status: Widowed
Language: English
Collection: 1940 U.S. Federal Population Census
Casualty was on Jun 3, 1967
In LZ, LAOS
Ronald Dexter, according to Frank Cius, was captured, and died in captivity on July 29, 1967.
Hostile, died captured, GROUND CASUALTY
Body was not recovered
Panel 21E - Line 43
Other Personnel In Incident: Frank E. Cius (returned POW 1973), Timothy R.Bodden, John G. Gardner, Stephen P. Hanson. (all missing), Mr. Ky (Nung Cdr. - wounded and rescued), Charles F. Wilklow (rescued).
On June 3, 1967, Capt. Steven P. Hanson, pilot; 1Lt. John G. Gardner, co-pilot; Sgt. Timothy R. Bodden, crew chief/door gunner; LCpl. Frank E. Cius, doorgunner;SFC Billy R. Laney, SFC Ronald J. Dexter, SFC Charles F. Wilklow and an unknown number of ARVN personnel, all passengers,were aboard a CH46A helicopter on an extraction mission in Laos.
The aircraft received extensive automatic small arms fire upon takeoff from the Landing Zone, took numerous hits and crashed 350 meters from the LZ, located about 15 miles inside Laos west of the A Shau Valley.
The helicopter did not burn on impact, and continued to receive fire. Three ARVN troops were able to return to the LZ where the troops remaining at the LZ were extracted the following day. The troops waiting at the LZ could not search because of the hostile threat in the area.
Air searches located the survivors of the crash, but they could not be evacuated.
The only America found to be in a position to be safely evacuated was SFC Wilklow. He gave the following account of what happened to the crew and passengers aboard the CH46:
SFC Dexter appeared uninjured and left the wreckage with a large number of ARVN troops. Capt. Hanson was wounded and outside the helicopter, but stated that he had to return to get his carbine. The Marine Corps believes he died of the wounds he received when the aircraft was overrun, although Hanson's wife later identified her husband in a widely distributed Vietnamese propaganda photograph of a pilot being captured.
When last seen, all the other Americans were still in the wreckage, and enemy troops were tossing grenades toward the aircraft with no attempt to capture the personnel inside. Wilklow left the crash site, and noted that gunfire suddenly stopped. He continued to evade the enemy and was picked up 3 days later.
Ronald Dexter, according to Frank Cius, was captured, and died in captivity on July 29, 1967.
************************
(A total of 23 Americans were lost).
SFC Dexter was last seen exiting a downed CH-46 helicopter and taken as a Prisoner of War, but never reached North Vietnam alive. A report obtained from a captured Nung Commando who was later released tells of Cpt Hanson, Lt
Gardner, and Sgt Bodden being executed by the North Vietnamese Soldiers. Of the six Americans MIAs, only USMC Lance Corporal Frank E. Cius, Jr. was confirmed by Hanoi.
After Cius's release in 1973, he told Dexter's brother that Ronald Dexter had been captured but died in enemy hands.
************************************
.
*** Memorial stone at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Matteson, Cook County, Illinois, USA.
*** Sergeant Major Dexter was a member of Command and Control Detachment, 5th Special Forces Group. On June 3, 1967, he was a passenger in a Boeing Sea Knight Cargo Helicopter (CH-46A) on an extraction mission 15 miles inside Laos west of the A Shau Valley, that received enemy fire and crashed on takeoff. He was taken prisoner and died in captivity. His remains 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!
RONALD JAMES DEXTER - Army - SMAJ - E9 Special Forces
Age: 34
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Jul 23, 1933
From: ABILENE, TX
Religion: BAPTIST
Marital Status: Married - Ronald Dexter's, wife and six children, still reside in Mineral Wells, TX.. They moved there in 1967, before he, left for Vietnam. His wife is Bobbie Florene Terrell/Tirrel Dexter(born - July 28, 1938 died - February 1, 2009: 70 years TX 76067 (Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto County)the following is a list of the six children, he left behind: Ronnie James Dexter, Jr. - July 27, 1954 - October 10, 2009, Sheila Dexter, Connie Glover, Donna Carradine, Danny Joe Dexter and Ted Lee Dexter.* Ronnie (Deceased - July 27, 1954 - October 10, 2009), Danny and Ted Dexter and Bubba Epps, all of Mineral Wells, and Danny and T. Chaney of Lebanon, MO. Sheila Dexter, Connie and Bruce Glover, Donna Carradine, and Mary Epps, all of Mineral Wells, Amy Michelle and Bill Schoonover of Lebanon, MO.
Parents: Father, Ted J. Dexter, Born, Apr. 15, 1900, and Died Apr. 27, 1993 in Danforth, Iroquois County, llinois and Mother, Elsie A. Umland Dexter, Born, Jan. 26, 1907, Goodland, Newton County, Indiana and Died Jul. 30, 1939 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
* Maternal Grandparents: Lewis and Mary Stone Terrell.
***** Dad, i miss you today, tomorrow and everyday. You wouldn't believe how many people i still hear from that wore your bracelet during the war, some have even sent me theirs. I hope you and Mom and Ronnie had a joyous reunion... Anyone wanting to contact me, (the oldest daughter of Ronald James Dexter) my current email address is [email protected] If you knew my dad in any way, shape or form, drop me a line when you have time, God Bless
- Sheila Dexter
Added: Aug. 8, 2013
***** I am the oldest daughter of Ronald James Dexter who died in Vietnam in 1967, i need to update my email address
so that others can contact me if they knew my dad, my current email address is [email protected]
RIP dad..... mom and Ronne are now with you...
- Sheila Dexter
***** Survivors - Ronald Dexter's, wife and six children, still reside in Mineral Wells, TX.. They moved there in 1967, before he left for Vietnam. His wife is Bobbie Florene Dexter, the following is a list of the six children, he left behind: Ronnie Dexter, Sheila McElyea, Connie Glover, Donna Carradine, Danny Dexter and Ted Dexter.
***** Ted Dexter in the 1940 Census (YOUR DADDY)
First Name: Ted
Last Name: Dexter
Age at Time of Census: 40
Gender: Male
Race: White
Ethnicity: American
Est. Birth Year: 1900
Birth Location: Indiana Map
Residence: Ward 19, Chicago, Chicago City, Cook, IL
Relationship to Head of Household: Lodger
Other People in Household:
Sylvia Moore
46 yrs, Female
Shirley Moore
13 yrs, Female
Sylvia Moore
7 yrs, Female
Florence Murray
41 yrs, Female
Ruth Murray
12 yrs, Female
Teddie Dexter
10 yrs, Male
Marital Status: Widowed
Language: English
Collection: 1940 U.S. Federal Population Census
Casualty was on Jun 3, 1967
In LZ, LAOS
Ronald Dexter, according to Frank Cius, was captured, and died in captivity on July 29, 1967.
Hostile, died captured, GROUND CASUALTY
Body was not recovered
Panel 21E - Line 43
Other Personnel In Incident: Frank E. Cius (returned POW 1973), Timothy R.Bodden, John G. Gardner, Stephen P. Hanson. (all missing), Mr. Ky (Nung Cdr. - wounded and rescued), Charles F. Wilklow (rescued).
On June 3, 1967, Capt. Steven P. Hanson, pilot; 1Lt. John G. Gardner, co-pilot; Sgt. Timothy R. Bodden, crew chief/door gunner; LCpl. Frank E. Cius, doorgunner;SFC Billy R. Laney, SFC Ronald J. Dexter, SFC Charles F. Wilklow and an unknown number of ARVN personnel, all passengers,were aboard a CH46A helicopter on an extraction mission in Laos.
The aircraft received extensive automatic small arms fire upon takeoff from the Landing Zone, took numerous hits and crashed 350 meters from the LZ, located about 15 miles inside Laos west of the A Shau Valley.
The helicopter did not burn on impact, and continued to receive fire. Three ARVN troops were able to return to the LZ where the troops remaining at the LZ were extracted the following day. The troops waiting at the LZ could not search because of the hostile threat in the area.
Air searches located the survivors of the crash, but they could not be evacuated.
The only America found to be in a position to be safely evacuated was SFC Wilklow. He gave the following account of what happened to the crew and passengers aboard the CH46:
SFC Dexter appeared uninjured and left the wreckage with a large number of ARVN troops. Capt. Hanson was wounded and outside the helicopter, but stated that he had to return to get his carbine. The Marine Corps believes he died of the wounds he received when the aircraft was overrun, although Hanson's wife later identified her husband in a widely distributed Vietnamese propaganda photograph of a pilot being captured.
When last seen, all the other Americans were still in the wreckage, and enemy troops were tossing grenades toward the aircraft with no attempt to capture the personnel inside. Wilklow left the crash site, and noted that gunfire suddenly stopped. He continued to evade the enemy and was picked up 3 days later.
Ronald Dexter, according to Frank Cius, was captured, and died in captivity on July 29, 1967.
************************
(A total of 23 Americans were lost).
SFC Dexter was last seen exiting a downed CH-46 helicopter and taken as a Prisoner of War, but never reached North Vietnam alive. A report obtained from a captured Nung Commando who was later released tells of Cpt Hanson, Lt
Gardner, and Sgt Bodden being executed by the North Vietnamese Soldiers. Of the six Americans MIAs, only USMC Lance Corporal Frank E. Cius, Jr. was confirmed by Hanoi.
After Cius's release in 1973, he told Dexter's brother that Ronald Dexter had been captured but died in enemy hands.
************************************
.
Gravesite Details
Memorial stone at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Matteson, Cook CountyIllinois, USA.
