Looking back, I find it hard to remember most of details of life at Camp Evans and Quan Loi with B/227th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).
I was a flight leader so I can remember how to do a combat assault, and I remember some other things. B/227th was the best in the division and that is why Ridgely Hunt was sent by the Chicago Tribune Magazine to ride with us. Now, I have all the pleasure of reading the article Ridgely wrote.

But, there is something missing.

Every time I read that article, I realize the success of B/227, the Flight Leader, Pilots, and the ground troops are the focus.

I'm embarrassed because that flight leader, those pilots, and those ground troops owe their glory and their lives to the Crew Chiefs, Door Gunners, and maintenance crews that made it all possible. The Crew Chiefs, Door Gunners, and maintenance crews were the unmentioned heroes.

They did their job in the sky. Watching that aircraft like a mother hen. Protecting every move with the threat and power of the M-60 machine gun. Being the aft eyes of the pilots in those tight LZs. Refueling the aircraft and managing the load. Forever trusting the skill of their pilots. They did their job damn well all day, every day.

Very few people realize those guys didn't walk away at the end of the day. When the rotors came to a stop, with a weary sigh in the revetment, the second part of the Crew Chief's and Door Gunner's day began. Somebody had to make sure that helicopter would be ready to fly and those guns could do their job at the next call. They did that job damn well too.

When you read "Combat Assault," the Chicago Tribune Magazine article, please think about the Crew Chiefs, Door Gunners, and maintenance crews. Remember them for all those hours of hard work, sacrifice, bravery, and dedication.

They didn't get the visibility they deserved but they made it possible for all of us to complete the mission. I wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for them. This is "Yellow One" to all the unmentioned B/227th heroes who kept those birds flying out of Camp Evans and Quan Loi, through the hell of Tet, Hue, LZ Stallion, Rita, Nui Ba Den, Nui Ba Ra, LZ Liz, the Parrot's Beak, and countless unnamed LZs.

I remember and I'll always remember.

Thanks.