In Memory of ...... SF1 Glenn Edward Asmussen.
*** Shipfitter, First Class Asmussen was a crew member of the Fleet Oiler USS NAVASOTA (AO-106). On February 5, 1966, he was flying in a Lockeed Viking Anti-Submarine Helicopter (SH-3A) over South Vietnam and was killed. 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!
GLENN EDWARD ASMUSSEN - Navy - SF1 - E6
Shipfitter 1st Class - USS NAVASOTA, 7TH FLEET US Navy
Age: 43
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Apr 26, 1922 - Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland, United States.
From: WASHINGTON, DC
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Married - Zella Mae Asmussen, they were married 1959.
Parents: Father, Edward Elmer Asmussen, Born May 1901 in Revillo, Grant, South Dakota and Died about 1960 Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland and Mother, Mary H Smith, Born about 1900, Prince George's,Maryland and Died about 1962 Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland.
Paternal Grandparents, August Asmussen Born in Germany and wife, Carolina Asmussen also Born in Germany.
** Wife's Obituary-January 27, 2011-Zella Mae Asmussen
WACO – Zella Mae Asmussen, 94, died Jan. 26, 2011, in a Waco, Texas, nursing home. Graveside service is 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, at Oran Cemetery. She was born Jan. 31, 1916, in Comanche County, the daughter of W.M. and Ida Mae Crockett Purcer. She had lived in Levi since 1972.
She married Glenn E. Asmussen in 1959. He preceded her in death on Feb. 5, 1966.
***** "United States Census, 1940"
Name: Edward Asmussen
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census - Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Election District 11, Prince George's, Maryland, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 39
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Birthplace: South Dakota
Birth Year (Estimated): 1901
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Edward Asmussen M 39 South Dakota - Your Dad
Wife Mary Asmussen F 40 Maryland - Your Mom
Son Glenn E Asmussen M 17 Maryland - YOU........
Son R James Asmussen M 14 Maryland
Daughter Helen L Asmussen F 11 Maryland
Daughter Erma M Asmussen F 9 Maryland
Son Leonard E Asmussen M 4 Maryland
Sister Rosie A Asmussen F 23 Maryland
***** "United States Census, 1930"
Name: Edward E Asmussen
Event Type: Census - Event Year: 1930
Event Place: Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland, US
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Birth Year (Estimated): 1902
Birthplace: South Dakota
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Edward E Asmussen M 28 South Dakota
Wife Mary H Asmussen F 30 Maryland
Son William L Asmussen M 10 Maryland
Son Glen E Asmussen M 8 Maryland
Son James R Asmussen M 5 Maryland
Daughter Helen L Asmussen F 1 Maryland
Sister Rosie A Asmussen F 13 Maryland
***** "United States Census, 1910"
Name: Edward Asmussen
Event Type: Census - Event Year: 1910
Event Place: Portland, Deuel, South Dakota, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 9
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Birth Year (Estimated): 1901
Birthplace: South Dakota
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head August Asmussen M 53 Germany
Wife Carolina Asmussen F 36 Germany
Son William H Asmussen M 19 Nebraska
Son John C Asmussen M 15 South Dakota
Son Emie Asmussen M 11 South Dakota
Son Edward Asmussen M 9 South Dakota
His tour began on Feb 5, 1966
Casualty was on Feb 5, 1966
In SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH AT SEA
Body was not recovered
Panel 05E - Line 5
Other Personnel in Incident: As with most at-sea losses, their remains could not be recovered.
The three men were:
1. Chief Shipfitter Bernard J. Sparenberg, Baltimore, MD;
2. Shipfitter First Class Glenn E. Asmussen,Washington D.C.
3. Shipfitter Second Class Dan D.McConnaugehay,Artesia, CA.
While the SH-3 helicopter was designed and equipped for anti-submarine warfare, it was commonly used for inter-ship transportation among the 7th Fleet ships operating in the Gulf of Tonkin and South China Sea areas.
The USS NAVASOTA (AO-106) was a fleet oiler which replenished the warships with fuel oil, aviation gasoline, and jet fuel.
During operations offshore Vietnam, three NAVASOTA crewmen were lost at sea when the SH-3A (BuNo 149926) they were aboard enroute USS RANGER (CVA-61) went down.
*************************************************************
Shipfitter 1st Class Edward Asmussen was born on April 26, 1922 and had 18 years of service in the U.S. Navy. He arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to USS Navasoto (AO-106), 7th Fleet.
On February 04, 1966, sometime before midnight, the USS Navasota (AO-106), which was a fleet oiler that replenished warships with fuel oil, aviation gasoline, and jet fuel had just refueled both the USS Brinkley Bass (DD-887) and the USS Waddell (DDG-24). After refueling, the two ships somehow got on a collision course with each other, which resulted in the USS Brinkley Bass ramming the USS Waddell very near her centerline. In the early morning hours of February 05, 1966 a repair team that had been dispatched to the USS Brinkley Bass from the USS Navasota was being flown back by a SH-3A (#149926) helicopter from the USS Ranger when the rotor blades begin to break apart, sending the helicopter into a spin and crashing into the ocean. The sailors survived the crash and could be seen swimming as they struggled to keep their heads above the stormy waters. Another helicopter was immediately dispatched to rescue the sailors, but as it approached the area where they were swimming, it also went down. It appeared to witnesses that the helicopter had gone down right on top of the sailors, but somehow it had miraculously missed hitting them. The surviving sailors were rescued by a third helicopter and flown to the Ranger where they were examined and treated for injuries. Three Navasota crewmen, however, were lost in the mishap: SFC Bernard J. Sparenberg, SF1 Glenn E. Asmussen, and SFM2 Dan D. McConnaughhay. Their remains were not recovered.
Shipfitter 1st Class Edward Asmussen is honored on the Vietnam Memorial at Panel 5E, Line 5.
Contributor: Bruce Barney
**************************************
.
*** Shipfitter, First Class Asmussen was a crew member of the Fleet Oiler USS NAVASOTA (AO-106). On February 5, 1966, he was flying in a Lockeed Viking Anti-Submarine Helicopter (SH-3A) over South Vietnam and was killed. 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!
GLENN EDWARD ASMUSSEN - Navy - SF1 - E6
Shipfitter 1st Class - USS NAVASOTA, 7TH FLEET US Navy
Age: 43
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Apr 26, 1922 - Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland, United States.
From: WASHINGTON, DC
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Married - Zella Mae Asmussen, they were married 1959.
Parents: Father, Edward Elmer Asmussen, Born May 1901 in Revillo, Grant, South Dakota and Died about 1960 Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland and Mother, Mary H Smith, Born about 1900, Prince George's,Maryland and Died about 1962 Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland.
Paternal Grandparents, August Asmussen Born in Germany and wife, Carolina Asmussen also Born in Germany.
** Wife's Obituary-January 27, 2011-Zella Mae Asmussen
WACO – Zella Mae Asmussen, 94, died Jan. 26, 2011, in a Waco, Texas, nursing home. Graveside service is 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, at Oran Cemetery. She was born Jan. 31, 1916, in Comanche County, the daughter of W.M. and Ida Mae Crockett Purcer. She had lived in Levi since 1972.
She married Glenn E. Asmussen in 1959. He preceded her in death on Feb. 5, 1966.
***** "United States Census, 1940"
Name: Edward Asmussen
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census - Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Election District 11, Prince George's, Maryland, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 39
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Birthplace: South Dakota
Birth Year (Estimated): 1901
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Edward Asmussen M 39 South Dakota - Your Dad
Wife Mary Asmussen F 40 Maryland - Your Mom
Son Glenn E Asmussen M 17 Maryland - YOU........
Son R James Asmussen M 14 Maryland
Daughter Helen L Asmussen F 11 Maryland
Daughter Erma M Asmussen F 9 Maryland
Son Leonard E Asmussen M 4 Maryland
Sister Rosie A Asmussen F 23 Maryland
***** "United States Census, 1930"
Name: Edward E Asmussen
Event Type: Census - Event Year: 1930
Event Place: Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland, US
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Birth Year (Estimated): 1902
Birthplace: South Dakota
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Edward E Asmussen M 28 South Dakota
Wife Mary H Asmussen F 30 Maryland
Son William L Asmussen M 10 Maryland
Son Glen E Asmussen M 8 Maryland
Son James R Asmussen M 5 Maryland
Daughter Helen L Asmussen F 1 Maryland
Sister Rosie A Asmussen F 13 Maryland
***** "United States Census, 1910"
Name: Edward Asmussen
Event Type: Census - Event Year: 1910
Event Place: Portland, Deuel, South Dakota, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 9
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Birth Year (Estimated): 1901
Birthplace: South Dakota
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head August Asmussen M 53 Germany
Wife Carolina Asmussen F 36 Germany
Son William H Asmussen M 19 Nebraska
Son John C Asmussen M 15 South Dakota
Son Emie Asmussen M 11 South Dakota
Son Edward Asmussen M 9 South Dakota
His tour began on Feb 5, 1966
Casualty was on Feb 5, 1966
In SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH AT SEA
Body was not recovered
Panel 05E - Line 5
Other Personnel in Incident: As with most at-sea losses, their remains could not be recovered.
The three men were:
1. Chief Shipfitter Bernard J. Sparenberg, Baltimore, MD;
2. Shipfitter First Class Glenn E. Asmussen,Washington D.C.
3. Shipfitter Second Class Dan D.McConnaugehay,Artesia, CA.
While the SH-3 helicopter was designed and equipped for anti-submarine warfare, it was commonly used for inter-ship transportation among the 7th Fleet ships operating in the Gulf of Tonkin and South China Sea areas.
The USS NAVASOTA (AO-106) was a fleet oiler which replenished the warships with fuel oil, aviation gasoline, and jet fuel.
During operations offshore Vietnam, three NAVASOTA crewmen were lost at sea when the SH-3A (BuNo 149926) they were aboard enroute USS RANGER (CVA-61) went down.
*************************************************************
Shipfitter 1st Class Edward Asmussen was born on April 26, 1922 and had 18 years of service in the U.S. Navy. He arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to USS Navasoto (AO-106), 7th Fleet.
On February 04, 1966, sometime before midnight, the USS Navasota (AO-106), which was a fleet oiler that replenished warships with fuel oil, aviation gasoline, and jet fuel had just refueled both the USS Brinkley Bass (DD-887) and the USS Waddell (DDG-24). After refueling, the two ships somehow got on a collision course with each other, which resulted in the USS Brinkley Bass ramming the USS Waddell very near her centerline. In the early morning hours of February 05, 1966 a repair team that had been dispatched to the USS Brinkley Bass from the USS Navasota was being flown back by a SH-3A (#149926) helicopter from the USS Ranger when the rotor blades begin to break apart, sending the helicopter into a spin and crashing into the ocean. The sailors survived the crash and could be seen swimming as they struggled to keep their heads above the stormy waters. Another helicopter was immediately dispatched to rescue the sailors, but as it approached the area where they were swimming, it also went down. It appeared to witnesses that the helicopter had gone down right on top of the sailors, but somehow it had miraculously missed hitting them. The surviving sailors were rescued by a third helicopter and flown to the Ranger where they were examined and treated for injuries. Three Navasota crewmen, however, were lost in the mishap: SFC Bernard J. Sparenberg, SF1 Glenn E. Asmussen, and SFM2 Dan D. McConnaughhay. Their remains were not recovered.
Shipfitter 1st Class Edward Asmussen is honored on the Vietnam Memorial at Panel 5E, Line 5.
Contributor: Bruce Barney
**************************************
.
In Memory of ...... SF1 Glenn Edward Asmussen.
*** Shipfitter, First Class Asmussen was a crew member of the Fleet Oiler USS NAVASOTA (AO-106). On February 5, 1966, he was flying in a Lockeed Viking Anti-Submarine Helicopter (SH-3A) over South Vietnam and was killed. 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!
GLENN EDWARD ASMUSSEN - Navy - SF1 - E6
Shipfitter 1st Class - USS NAVASOTA, 7TH FLEET US Navy
Age: 43
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Apr 26, 1922 - Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland, United States.
From: WASHINGTON, DC
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Married - Zella Mae Asmussen, they were married 1959.
Parents: Father, Edward Elmer Asmussen, Born May 1901 in Revillo, Grant, South Dakota and Died about 1960 Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland and Mother, Mary H Smith, Born about 1900, Prince George's,Maryland and Died about 1962 Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland.
Paternal Grandparents, August Asmussen Born in Germany and wife, Carolina Asmussen also Born in Germany.
** Wife's Obituary-January 27, 2011-Zella Mae Asmussen
WACO – Zella Mae Asmussen, 94, died Jan. 26, 2011, in a Waco, Texas, nursing home. Graveside service is 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, at Oran Cemetery. She was born Jan. 31, 1916, in Comanche County, the daughter of W.M. and Ida Mae Crockett Purcer. She had lived in Levi since 1972.
She married Glenn E. Asmussen in 1959. He preceded her in death on Feb. 5, 1966.
***** "United States Census, 1940"
Name: Edward Asmussen
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census - Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Election District 11, Prince George's, Maryland, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 39
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Birthplace: South Dakota
Birth Year (Estimated): 1901
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Edward Asmussen M 39 South Dakota - Your Dad
Wife Mary Asmussen F 40 Maryland - Your Mom
Son Glenn E Asmussen M 17 Maryland - YOU........
Son R James Asmussen M 14 Maryland
Daughter Helen L Asmussen F 11 Maryland
Daughter Erma M Asmussen F 9 Maryland
Son Leonard E Asmussen M 4 Maryland
Sister Rosie A Asmussen F 23 Maryland
***** "United States Census, 1930"
Name: Edward E Asmussen
Event Type: Census - Event Year: 1930
Event Place: Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland, US
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Birth Year (Estimated): 1902
Birthplace: South Dakota
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Edward E Asmussen M 28 South Dakota
Wife Mary H Asmussen F 30 Maryland
Son William L Asmussen M 10 Maryland
Son Glen E Asmussen M 8 Maryland
Son James R Asmussen M 5 Maryland
Daughter Helen L Asmussen F 1 Maryland
Sister Rosie A Asmussen F 13 Maryland
***** "United States Census, 1910"
Name: Edward Asmussen
Event Type: Census - Event Year: 1910
Event Place: Portland, Deuel, South Dakota, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 9
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Birth Year (Estimated): 1901
Birthplace: South Dakota
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head August Asmussen M 53 Germany
Wife Carolina Asmussen F 36 Germany
Son William H Asmussen M 19 Nebraska
Son John C Asmussen M 15 South Dakota
Son Emie Asmussen M 11 South Dakota
Son Edward Asmussen M 9 South Dakota
His tour began on Feb 5, 1966
Casualty was on Feb 5, 1966
In SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH AT SEA
Body was not recovered
Panel 05E - Line 5
Other Personnel in Incident: As with most at-sea losses, their remains could not be recovered.
The three men were:
1. Chief Shipfitter Bernard J. Sparenberg, Baltimore, MD;
2. Shipfitter First Class Glenn E. Asmussen,Washington D.C.
3. Shipfitter Second Class Dan D.McConnaugehay,Artesia, CA.
While the SH-3 helicopter was designed and equipped for anti-submarine warfare, it was commonly used for inter-ship transportation among the 7th Fleet ships operating in the Gulf of Tonkin and South China Sea areas.
The USS NAVASOTA (AO-106) was a fleet oiler which replenished the warships with fuel oil, aviation gasoline, and jet fuel.
During operations offshore Vietnam, three NAVASOTA crewmen were lost at sea when the SH-3A (BuNo 149926) they were aboard enroute USS RANGER (CVA-61) went down.
*************************************************************
Shipfitter 1st Class Edward Asmussen was born on April 26, 1922 and had 18 years of service in the U.S. Navy. He arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to USS Navasoto (AO-106), 7th Fleet.
On February 04, 1966, sometime before midnight, the USS Navasota (AO-106), which was a fleet oiler that replenished warships with fuel oil, aviation gasoline, and jet fuel had just refueled both the USS Brinkley Bass (DD-887) and the USS Waddell (DDG-24). After refueling, the two ships somehow got on a collision course with each other, which resulted in the USS Brinkley Bass ramming the USS Waddell very near her centerline. In the early morning hours of February 05, 1966 a repair team that had been dispatched to the USS Brinkley Bass from the USS Navasota was being flown back by a SH-3A (#149926) helicopter from the USS Ranger when the rotor blades begin to break apart, sending the helicopter into a spin and crashing into the ocean. The sailors survived the crash and could be seen swimming as they struggled to keep their heads above the stormy waters. Another helicopter was immediately dispatched to rescue the sailors, but as it approached the area where they were swimming, it also went down. It appeared to witnesses that the helicopter had gone down right on top of the sailors, but somehow it had miraculously missed hitting them. The surviving sailors were rescued by a third helicopter and flown to the Ranger where they were examined and treated for injuries. Three Navasota crewmen, however, were lost in the mishap: SFC Bernard J. Sparenberg, SF1 Glenn E. Asmussen, and SFM2 Dan D. McConnaughhay. Their remains were not recovered.
Shipfitter 1st Class Edward Asmussen is honored on the Vietnam Memorial at Panel 5E, Line 5.
Contributor: Bruce Barney
**************************************
.
*** Shipfitter, First Class Asmussen was a crew member of the Fleet Oiler USS NAVASOTA (AO-106). On February 5, 1966, he was flying in a Lockeed Viking Anti-Submarine Helicopter (SH-3A) over South Vietnam and was killed. 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!
GLENN EDWARD ASMUSSEN - Navy - SF1 - E6
Shipfitter 1st Class - USS NAVASOTA, 7TH FLEET US Navy
Age: 43
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Apr 26, 1922 - Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland, United States.
From: WASHINGTON, DC
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Married - Zella Mae Asmussen, they were married 1959.
Parents: Father, Edward Elmer Asmussen, Born May 1901 in Revillo, Grant, South Dakota and Died about 1960 Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland and Mother, Mary H Smith, Born about 1900, Prince George's,Maryland and Died about 1962 Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland.
Paternal Grandparents, August Asmussen Born in Germany and wife, Carolina Asmussen also Born in Germany.
** Wife's Obituary-January 27, 2011-Zella Mae Asmussen
WACO – Zella Mae Asmussen, 94, died Jan. 26, 2011, in a Waco, Texas, nursing home. Graveside service is 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, at Oran Cemetery. She was born Jan. 31, 1916, in Comanche County, the daughter of W.M. and Ida Mae Crockett Purcer. She had lived in Levi since 1972.
She married Glenn E. Asmussen in 1959. He preceded her in death on Feb. 5, 1966.
***** "United States Census, 1940"
Name: Edward Asmussen
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census - Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Election District 11, Prince George's, Maryland, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 39
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Birthplace: South Dakota
Birth Year (Estimated): 1901
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Edward Asmussen M 39 South Dakota - Your Dad
Wife Mary Asmussen F 40 Maryland - Your Mom
Son Glenn E Asmussen M 17 Maryland - YOU........
Son R James Asmussen M 14 Maryland
Daughter Helen L Asmussen F 11 Maryland
Daughter Erma M Asmussen F 9 Maryland
Son Leonard E Asmussen M 4 Maryland
Sister Rosie A Asmussen F 23 Maryland
***** "United States Census, 1930"
Name: Edward E Asmussen
Event Type: Census - Event Year: 1930
Event Place: Brandywine, Prince George's, Maryland, US
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Birth Year (Estimated): 1902
Birthplace: South Dakota
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Edward E Asmussen M 28 South Dakota
Wife Mary H Asmussen F 30 Maryland
Son William L Asmussen M 10 Maryland
Son Glen E Asmussen M 8 Maryland
Son James R Asmussen M 5 Maryland
Daughter Helen L Asmussen F 1 Maryland
Sister Rosie A Asmussen F 13 Maryland
***** "United States Census, 1910"
Name: Edward Asmussen
Event Type: Census - Event Year: 1910
Event Place: Portland, Deuel, South Dakota, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 9
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Birth Year (Estimated): 1901
Birthplace: South Dakota
Father's Birthplace: Germany
Mother's Birthplace: Germany
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head August Asmussen M 53 Germany
Wife Carolina Asmussen F 36 Germany
Son William H Asmussen M 19 Nebraska
Son John C Asmussen M 15 South Dakota
Son Emie Asmussen M 11 South Dakota
Son Edward Asmussen M 9 South Dakota
His tour began on Feb 5, 1966
Casualty was on Feb 5, 1966
In SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH AT SEA
Body was not recovered
Panel 05E - Line 5
Other Personnel in Incident: As with most at-sea losses, their remains could not be recovered.
The three men were:
1. Chief Shipfitter Bernard J. Sparenberg, Baltimore, MD;
2. Shipfitter First Class Glenn E. Asmussen,Washington D.C.
3. Shipfitter Second Class Dan D.McConnaugehay,Artesia, CA.
While the SH-3 helicopter was designed and equipped for anti-submarine warfare, it was commonly used for inter-ship transportation among the 7th Fleet ships operating in the Gulf of Tonkin and South China Sea areas.
The USS NAVASOTA (AO-106) was a fleet oiler which replenished the warships with fuel oil, aviation gasoline, and jet fuel.
During operations offshore Vietnam, three NAVASOTA crewmen were lost at sea when the SH-3A (BuNo 149926) they were aboard enroute USS RANGER (CVA-61) went down.
*************************************************************
Shipfitter 1st Class Edward Asmussen was born on April 26, 1922 and had 18 years of service in the U.S. Navy. He arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to USS Navasoto (AO-106), 7th Fleet.
On February 04, 1966, sometime before midnight, the USS Navasota (AO-106), which was a fleet oiler that replenished warships with fuel oil, aviation gasoline, and jet fuel had just refueled both the USS Brinkley Bass (DD-887) and the USS Waddell (DDG-24). After refueling, the two ships somehow got on a collision course with each other, which resulted in the USS Brinkley Bass ramming the USS Waddell very near her centerline. In the early morning hours of February 05, 1966 a repair team that had been dispatched to the USS Brinkley Bass from the USS Navasota was being flown back by a SH-3A (#149926) helicopter from the USS Ranger when the rotor blades begin to break apart, sending the helicopter into a spin and crashing into the ocean. The sailors survived the crash and could be seen swimming as they struggled to keep their heads above the stormy waters. Another helicopter was immediately dispatched to rescue the sailors, but as it approached the area where they were swimming, it also went down. It appeared to witnesses that the helicopter had gone down right on top of the sailors, but somehow it had miraculously missed hitting them. The surviving sailors were rescued by a third helicopter and flown to the Ranger where they were examined and treated for injuries. Three Navasota crewmen, however, were lost in the mishap: SFC Bernard J. Sparenberg, SF1 Glenn E. Asmussen, and SFM2 Dan D. McConnaughhay. Their remains were not recovered.
Shipfitter 1st Class Edward Asmussen is honored on the Vietnam Memorial at Panel 5E, Line 5.
Contributor: Bruce Barney
**************************************
.
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