tarbridge Posted September 21, 2015 Share #1 Posted September 21, 2015 A salute to our Brave souls traveling to far off lands flying directly into harms way.To the Comanchero's... I just received WO1 John M Rizzo,Jr's medal group and I'm posting the information I could find at this time. John was from Oceanside,New York and was born 13 March, 1948.He took Flight Training at Forts Wolters and Rucker and received his wings 11 March 1969...Flight Class 69-1. On 14 January, 1970...While as a member of A Co. 101st Aviation,101st Airborne Division...The Comancheros...WO1 Rizzo was flying a UH-1H #67-17349 on a mission to Thua Thien Province.It was on this mission WO1 Rizzo's Huey substained heavy fire forcing them to crash in the Binh Dinh Province.I have found little printed informating relating to his mission on 14 January 1970. The casualties that day. WO1 John M Rizzo,Jr Pilot Sp.5 Gerald lee Schwuchow Crew Chief Sp.4 Clarene S Turner III Gunner Cpl. William G Little Passenger Rescued... Passenger Lt.Tom Carlson..thrown from aircraft still in his seat. Passenger David M Butler...it has been discovered Butler is a Pilot. There is a discrepancy involving the passenger list...each one listed on different sites. WO1 John M Rizzo,Jr Medals that were included in WO1 Rizzo's group. Bronze Star Air Medal w/9 appurtance Purple Heart Army Accommendation Medal National Defense Medal Republic of Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal National Order of Vietnam 5th Class (Knights) South Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star Photo of Augie, Rizzo, Madden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted September 21, 2015 Rizzo is in the center... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted September 21, 2015 WO1 Johm M Rizzo,Jr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted September 21, 2015 Sp.5 Clarence S Turner III Gunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted September 21, 2015 Share #5 Posted September 21, 2015 Very poignant group Robert.THanks for posting.There is a veteran who was a local here that especially with the Commancheros.His brother and I are good friends and s hook mates.Brings back memories of seeing his old tour jacket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted September 21, 2015 Sp.4 Gerald Lee Schwuchow Crew Chief Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swabbie Posted September 21, 2015 Share #7 Posted September 21, 2015 Great group, Robert! Nice to see an original group still together (I know of one that was put back together after visiting four different tables at the same gun show). I bet someone out there has the additional information you seek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytiger Posted September 21, 2015 Share #8 Posted September 21, 2015 Hi Robert, DavidM. Butler listed as Pilot not Passenger. He is NOT listed on the VHPA list of KIA's that I could find but that just a probable error and I will look into that a bit more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted September 21, 2015 Author Share #9 Posted September 21, 2015 Hi Robert, DavidM. Butler listed as Pilot not Passenger. He is NOT listed on the VHPA list of KIA's that I could find but that just a probable error and I will look into that a bit more.Thanks.He was listed in one place and not another...thought as he was listed with no rank.I had just talked to a friend who was a Vietnam Door Gunner...he said I was missing a Pilot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytiger Posted September 21, 2015 Share #10 Posted September 21, 2015 Sorry, I missed that Butler survived the crash. He was the Pilot ( There were 2 pilots on the UH-1, AC being the aircraft commander, P being the pilot). So 3 crew were KIA, one Passenger was KIA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted September 21, 2015 Share #11 Posted September 21, 2015 Robert, Amazing group..best of luck with the research! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted September 22, 2015 Author Share #12 Posted September 22, 2015 The Cpl William G Little killed that day was this Marine. William Gregory Little Corporal 3RD FORCE RECON CO, III MAF United States Marine Corps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schofield1943 Posted September 22, 2015 Share #13 Posted September 22, 2015 Really interesting group to a local Long Islander. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted September 22, 2015 Author Share #14 Posted September 22, 2015 Here is a remembrance left about Cpl Little. .Posted on 6/27/13 - by Dennis D. Graham; Cpl; 2496821; USMC We had fun in grade school... We had fun in bootcamp (sort of)... We had fun in Infantry Training... Why did you go Recon?! I finally found you in 'Nam. I was in the 3rd Recon hooch listening to the radio while your guys were being chased through the jungle trying to get extracted... Only to hear the crash... And, later to find out you were riding on the skid cause the chopper was overloaded... I miss you Brother! Also this... Chopper shot down killing 4 on a recon insertion mission Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uniformcollector Posted September 22, 2015 Share #15 Posted September 22, 2015 Amazing grouping. I've actually heard and read about Rizzo before, so it is incredible to see his medals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohn#3RD Posted September 22, 2015 Share #16 Posted September 22, 2015 It is the young and the brave who most often go into harms way and pay the price for our freedom. RIP Men and Thank You Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted September 23, 2015 Share #17 Posted September 23, 2015 Another great group Robert. Good luck with the research. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share #18 Posted January 24, 2017 RIP Sir. I have been contacted by the family and we have been able to work out the details.Michael is going to his two brothers and his mother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted January 24, 2017 Share #19 Posted January 24, 2017 Good news. Rest in peace. Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BagmanL6 Posted January 24, 2017 Share #20 Posted January 24, 2017 Very nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schofield1943 Posted January 24, 2017 Share #21 Posted January 24, 2017 RIP Sir. I have been contacted by the family and we have been able to work out the details.Michael is going to his two brothers and his mother. Ain't that something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted January 24, 2017 Author Share #22 Posted January 24, 2017 Ain't that something. Are they still on Long Island by chance? Still New Yorker's... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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