UNIT CRESTS Unit Crests by Weird - Carved Unit Insignia - 362nd "Fly United" Now Available
FIRST TOUR LINKS ACH-47 - Guns-A-Go-Go Circle C Cowboys, 228th The Second Team Fur Covered Chinook
FAVORITE URLS 1st CAV DIV ASSN 228th Aviation Bn Home Guns-A-Go-Go Home 229th Aviation Bn Home COMBAT LEADERSHIP
INDEX 362nd HONOR ROLL 362nd History Memories Forum Discussion Treason? You Decide Major Web Links NVA Officer Admits Defeat Old Guest Book Hooker Gallery - A Son's Search - Did you know Frank Fowler? *Retribution Osama Iraq Kick-Ass CONTACT carle.dunn@gmail.com This site is maintained by LTC Carle E. Dunn, USA-Ret. Please report any broken links, or other problems, by using the above e-mail. Copyright © Carle E. Dunn 2000-2001 All Rights Reservedv PROLOGUE The 362nd Aviation Company was the last American, CH-47 Combat unit to serve in Viet Nam. On 30 June 1971, at Camp Martin Cox (Bearcat), B Company, 228th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) was reorganized and designated the 362nd Aviation Company (ASH). It was assigned to the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 3rd Brigade (Separate), 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).
Later, after the 3rd Brigade furled its colors, another organized force, Task Force Garry Owen, remained to fight. The 362nd stayed with them. In August 1972, the 362nd ceased to exist as it too cased colors. Another page became history in the annals of Army aviation.
By today's standards, the 362nd did a battalion's work. It contained 24 CH-47A helicopters and over 500 Skytroopers. Organized with its own depot maintenance, it essentially was self sustaining. No other maintenance capability existed in country for this "Workhorse of Army Aviation."
Planners knew, if this unit didn't fly, the First Cav didn't fight. It was the 362nd that keep fuel flowing for other ships to fly. From Bearcat, to Phu Loi, to Long Thanh North, the 362nd hunkered down and slugged it out with the rest of the Cav. Early 1972 saw the most fierce combat of the Viet Nam conflict. There were few US ground force combat units in Viet Nam. There were advisors and aviation. Ground combat was the realm of the ARVN.
The "United Team" was at its best and in its finest hour. Each one of them is deserving of the utmost respect. They certainly earned mine.
It is absolutely essential that coming generations know the truth about Viet Nam. On this site they will learn a part of that truth. It is the obligation of our nation to provide the remainder.
PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK BELOW Site updated 04/03/07 PERSPECTIVE What took place in Viet Nam is too important to leave to pens of those who did not serve. Historians will draw upon what media reported. The media's approach, to the conflict in Southeastern Asia, was short sighted. Amid death, they failed to recognize truth.
Right or wrong, around them America's youth lay dying for a cause that the media did not understand. These young people died, not for their freedom, but for freedom of others.
It is written that no greater love is there than to lay down one's life for another. Somewhere along the way the media missed this point. They were too busy trying to gain ratings.
Sensationalism by journalists only served to provide the American public a grossly misleading picture of the enemy as some sort of "super guerrilla." The enemy was soundly defeated by the U.S. military. The Tet Offensive of 1968 and The Spring Offensive of 1972 failed. General Giap, the fabled PAVN leader was relieved of command for incompetence. These defeats were significant enough to drive the enemy to cease fire talks. Yet, journalists painted a picture making enemy forces seem all powerful.
This needs to be made clear. The United States military, and its allies, did not lose this war. The loss was the direct result of failed, political leadership.
America need not lower her head in shame. To do so would be an act to desecrate the memory of over 58,000 of America's finest.
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