This Military Service Page was created/owned by
A3C Michael S. Bell (Unit Historian)
to remember
Cooper, Gerald Allan, MSgt.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Detroit
Last Address Ban Me Thuot, South Vietnam
Casualty Date Sep 25, 1970
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
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".
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.
