Almost prophetic, ACH-47 "Cost of Living"carried Lieutenant Paul Hicks, Chief Warrant Officer Edward Weidenbach and crew into the maelstrom. It was 5 May 1967. They did not return.
Night or day, they flew. Often mixed with regular "Hooks," for Charlie could not distinguish one from the other, until two broke formation. Firing at CH-47s halted. "Their presence contributed to our safely returning from missions."
In late 1967, this ACH-47 moves in to exploit the results of a B-52 strike on the Bong Son Plain. Heavy debris, suspended in air, shrouded the target area. Too dark and late for a troop insertion, the Go-Go ships unleashed upon troops staggering and stunned in the impact area.
FORMIDABLE ARMAMENTThe attack CH-47 carried an extensive array of weapons. Stub wings on each side held a 20-mm cannon along with a rocket pod. Under the nose was a 40-mm grenade launcher. Two 50-Cal. machine guns occupied gun ports on each side in addition to another one on the ramp at the rear.
