Rank/Branch:W2/US Army Unit
Date of Birth: 28 May 1948
Home City of Record: Columbus OH
Date of Loss:17 March 1971
Country of Loss:Cambodia
Loss Coordinates: 121017N 1062204E (XU480455)
Status (in 1973):Missing In Action
Category: 1
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: UH1H
Other Personnel in Incident: On UH1H: Craig M. Dix; Bobby G. Harris (all
missing); James H. Hestand (released POW). From AH1G: Capt. David P. Schweitzer
(rescued); 1Lt. Lawrence E. Lilly (missing).
Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 30 June 1990 from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with
POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews.
REMARKS: DEAD/IR 6 918 6247 74
SYNOPSIS: On March 17, 1971, Capt. David P. Schweitzer, pilot and 1Lt. Lawrence E. Lilly, co-pilot, comprised the crew of an AH1G helicopter (serial #69-17935)conducting a visual reconnaissance mission. As the aircraft was near a landing zone at grid coordinates XU488458, it was hit by enemy fire of the F-21B Infantry Regiment, 5th Viet Cong Division and forced to the ground. The LZ was deep inside Cambodia in the Snuol District of Kracheh (Kratie) Province, near Seang Village.
Rescue efforts were successful in extracting Capt. Schweitzer, but due to heavy enemy fire, they were forced to leave the area before Lilly could be extracted.Lt. Lilly was last seen by U.S. personnel lying on his back wth his shirt partially open and blood on his chest and neck. He was observed being fired upon by Viet Cong forces.
In mid-April 1971, a report described two U.S. personnel onboard a helicopter
shot down in this region getting out of the helicopter and climbing a tree, and
firing upon enemy forces. One of the crewmen was shot to death, and the other
was captured by Viet Cong soldiers of the 6th Company, 2nd Battalion, F21B
Infantry Regiment. The report continued that both crewmen were caucasian and
had light complexions. The source described the POW and said that he was later
told that the dead airman had been cremated by Cambodian villagers who had come
to salvage parts from the aircraft. Joint Casualty Resolution Center (JCRC)
evaluated the report and concluded that it could possibly relate either to
Lilly's incident or another the same day at the same location.
The other incident related to a UH1H helicopter flown by WO1 James H. Hestand
and carrying CW2 Richard L. Bauman; SP4 Craig M. Dix; and SP4 Bobby G. Harris.
The aircraft was shot down near Snuol. A medivac chopper lowered a jungle
penetrator to men seen on the ground through triple canopy jungle, but was
forced to leave the area due to enemy fire and low fuel.
Five ARVN were captured in the same operation and were told by Viet Cong guards that three chopper crew members had just been captured. One was killed in the crash, one was shot in the leg (ankle) trying to escape. The wounded crewmember and two others were finally captured.
James Hestand was captured and was released in 1973. In his debriefing, he
reported that Craig Dix was the one who had been shot in the upper right ankle.
Hestand stated that Dix was ambulatory and evading capture at the time of his
own capture. Hestand also stated that, when last seen, CW2 Bauman was alive, in
good condition, and was hiding with Dix. Hestand said that he had seen the body
of Harris, whom he believed to be dead because of throat lacerations and a
discoloration of his body. Harris had been thrown from the aircraft. Hestand
was separated from the others when he was captured, and had no further
information on Dix, Bauman or Harris. Defense Department notes indicate that
Harris was killed in the crash. Defense Department notes indicate that some
intelligence say that Bauman, Dix and Harris are dead, yet other intelligence
reports placed Dix in a Cambodian hospital after having been captured, and
according to Hestand, the two were alive and well the last time he saw them.
An ARVN ground unit entered the battle area to try to rescue Lilly, but found
him dead. The unit came under heavy fire, and in the course of the battle, the
body was lost to the enemy. Lilly's remains were never recovered.
In 1988, the Cambodian government announced that it had the remains of a number of American servicemen it wished to return to the United States. The U.S. did not respond officially, however, because there are no diplomatic ties between Cambodia and the U.S. Several U.S. Congressmen have attempted to intervene and recover the remains on behalf of American family members, but Cambodia wishes an official overture.Meanwhile, the bodies of Americans remain in the hands of our former enemy.
Even more tragically, evidence mounts that many Americans are still alive in
Southeast Asia, still prisoners from a war many have long forgotten. It is a
matter of pride in the armed forces that one's comrades are never left behind.
One can imagine any of the men lost in Cambodia on March 17, 1971, being
willing to go on one more mission for the freedom of those Heroes we left behind.
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Together we are FIGHTING for our POW/MIA's FREEDOM!!
Join us for the
2nd Annual POW/MIA Balloon Launch - Memorial Day 99
Honor Our POW/MIA's; Gain A Full-Accounting of Our POW/MIA's;
Educate the Public about POW/MIA's; Ensure This Never Happens Again!
OTHER EVIDENCE OF LIVING MIA'S
Many accounts of living POW's have come to the attention of the US Government,but none has ever been investigated or taken seriously by our Government.
CW2 Richard Bauman,as are all of our POW-MIA's;a real American HERO.He answered his Country's call to duty;his fate remains unknown.He has shown;possibly with his life his devotion & loyalty to his Country and his fellow citizens.Certainly,such loyalty and devotion to Country should not be repaid with such apathy from the Government he so unselfishly & faithfully served.
Write the President,your Senators and Congressmen.Since politicians seem only to respond to issues that has a bearing on their ability to get votes;it takes a LOUD VOICE to get their attention.It will take a
When you write your elected officials you must be blunt,concise and to the point.Do not give these politicians a chance to side step this extremely important issue.Be specific;have facts to back up your allegations.Following are links to E Mail Addresses of elected officials.
HOMECOMINGS
REUNIONS
JOY
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Please remember these VETS sacrificed for you.Without your voice their sacrifice will mean nothing.If you speak LOUD something may be done.If you WHISPER nothing will be done.If you remain silent you are condoning all that have FORGOT.Please speak up!!
whose POW-MIA page inspired me to get involved.
codyjoe@email.com