Service Photo |
Service Details |
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Last Rank
Master Sergeant
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Last Primary AFSC/MOS
111X0-Defensive Aerial Gunner
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Last AFSC Group
Aircrew
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Primary Unit
1969-1970, 7th Air Force
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Service Years
1955 - 1970
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Last Photo |
Personal Details
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Home State
 Michigan | |
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Year of Birth 1938 |
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This Military Service Page was created/owned by
A3C Michael S. Bell
to remember
Cooper, Gerald Allan, MSgt.
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
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Casualty Info
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Home Town Detroit |
Last Address Ban Me Thuot, South Vietnam
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Casualty Date Sep 25, 1970 |
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Cause Non Hostile- Died Other Causes |
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Land |
Location Quang Duc (Vietnam) |
Conflict Vietnam War |
Location of Interment Mount Hope Cemetery - Peru, Indiana |
Wall/Plot Coordinates 07W 089 |
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Last Known Activity Two UH-1s of the 20th SOS based at Ban Me Thuot departed on a combat mission. The lead aircraft, UH-1F tail number 64-15484. During the flight, Heil was forced into a turn to avoid a mid-air collision with a VNAF CH-34. The UH-1F hit trees while turning, crashed, and caught fire after it came to rest. The fire destroyed the aircraft. Captain Heil and MSG Cooper were killed. Captain Carrington and SSgt Galvan were injured in the impact. A third helicopter which was transport configured and in the general area was called to recover the two injured crew members and evacuated them to Duc Lap for medical treatment. They were later transported to Cam Ranh Bay. Both survived their injuries.
NOTE:
Some sources, including the VHPA database, give SSG Galvan's name
incorrectly as "Calvan".
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Comments/Citation Note: Although the Army Good Conduct medal is displayed on his Rack, he was straight Air Force in his career. The Air Force used the Army GCM up until 1963.
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