( 1 July 1969 - 1 July 1970 ) |
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On 10 February l967, the 57th was reorganized from an Airmobile Fixed Wing Company
(CU-2) to an Assault Helicopter Company by General Order 52, Headquarters, Third
U.S. Army. In October 1967 the unit was deployed to Vietnam and by December 1967
it was operating out of it's new home at Kontum Airfield.
During the past year the 57th Assault Helicopter Company provided tactical air
mobility of combat troops, supplies, equipment and attack helicopter fire support
for the 4th Infantry Division, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Field Force, MACV and
various ARVN units. The area of operation was the II Corps Tactical Zone.
July 1969 saw the 57th distinguish itself at the seige of Ben Het and Dak To by
getting urgent resupply into the compounds and evacuating wounded under intensive
enemy ground fire. The 57th did this with a minimum loss of aircraft and personnel
by using tactical maneuvers and experience gained from working for the 5th Special
Forces. Once the enemy had been forced to break the seige and retreat back across
the border the 57th resumed it's normal missions. The monsoons had moved in and
flying conditions had deteriorated to the point where missions were cut in half.
November, saw rumor control strike again with word being put out that the 57th was
to prepare for a move. This was taken with mixed emotions as many of the people
had seen Kontum Airfield develop from an abandon airstrip into a small city. Fortunately for many, the move never materialized until March 1970. It was then that the
57th moved to An Khe to support the 4th Infantry Division. It wasn't long before
the 57th was flying once again in the Kcntum area as a strong NVA force was attempting to overrun Dak Seang.
On the 3rd of April the 57th led the first flight of slicks to insert troops to break
the seige. Intensive ground and mortar fire made the insertion extremely hazardous
but the mission was completed with the loss of only one aircraft and it was from
another unit. The entire month saw the 57th at Dak Seang inserting troops and resupplying the battered compound. For the 57th, twelve aircraft suffered combat damage
and one was destroyed. Six crewmembers were wounded but none were hurt seriously
and there was no loss of life. After Dak Seang there was to be no rest for the 57th
because Cambodia was to be the next objective. On the initial insertion of the 4th
Division into Cambodia on 6 May heavy enemy contact was made causing four of our
aircraft to be damaged and one destroyed but once again the 57th's luck held out and
no one was injured. After the initial insertion contact with the enemy became light
and the normal business of resupplying, inserting troops and bringing back captured
equipment was carried on without any mishaps. By early June all the U.S. forces
that the 57th was supporting had been withdrawn from Cambodia and An Khe became the
primary area of operation.
The men of the 57th take pride in themselves by knowing that they met and completed
all missions given to them in a professional manner that exemplifies the highest
traditions and standards found in Army Aviation.
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