Team Mayfly

PFC James O. Hall Jr., USMC

5 Oct 2004

As we search the Wall - we have another
Delta company 1st Recon Bn Marine.
Too many young men with high hopes and
dreams. What could have been for so many
stopped too soon in life.
We of 1st Recon Bn remember all of
our brothers lost too soon in life.

A Note from The Virtual Wall


Marine helicopter squadron HMM-165 (CH-46D aircraft) was tasked with a recon insert mission approximately 22 miles WNW of DaNang. The landing zone was prepped heavily prior to commencement of a spiral approach. The helicopter (CH-46D BuNo 154811) was brought into a brief hover. Heavy small arms fire was received prior to anyone exiting the aircraft and the insertion was aborted. During climb out a loud explosion occurred aft of the cockpit area. The aircraft pitched extreme nose up and rolled slowly right to a somewhat inverted position with no control input response. It crashed and burned.Eight men died in the crash:

1stLt W L Peters, Jr., pilot (HMM-165) (Navy Cross, Silver Star)
LCpl P E Petroline, crew chief (HMM-165)


Recon Team Members

2ndLt W G Schanck Jr.
LCpl R A Weil, Jr.
LCpl F J Bosco
Pfc A C Councill, III
Pfc R L Crites, Jr.
Pfc J O Hall, Jr.


Additional information is available on the
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William Garrett “Garry” Schanck Jr, was born in Denison, Texas on 24 January 1948. He was the son of William and Arvaline Schanck. Garry was a 1966 graduate of Ponaganset High School where he played football and was the starting quarterback his senior year. Garry entered the University of Rhode Island in September 1966 with the class of 1970. He participated in the Army ROTC program at URI; and after his first three semesters at URI, Garry volunteered and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After completing basic training, Garry attended OCS and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps in 1968.

Second Lieutenant Schanck attended the Marine Corps Officer Training Program at Quantico, Virginia, and deployed to South Vietnam in late 1968. He was assigned as an Infantry Platoon Commander, Delta Company, 1st Recon Battalion, 3d Marine Division. Second Lieutenant Schanck was involved in combat operations throughout his assignment and was wounded in March 1969 from a land mine explosion while on a combat patrol. He received the Bronze Star with “V” and Purple Heart for his heroic actions and wounds suffered during the firefight.

Citation – Bronze Star with “V” Device

For meritorious service in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam while serving as a Platoon Commander with Company D, First Reconnaissance Battalion, First Marine Division from 18 March to 21 June 1969. Throughout this period, Second Lieutenant Schanck performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Participating in five long-range reconnaissance patrols deep into enemy controlled territory, he was instrumental in obtaining valuable information concerning hostile activities.

On 8 April, he led a patrol into an area where another patrol had made contact with the enemy the previous day. When a concealed hostile explosive device was detonated, Second Lieutenant Schanck and two of his men were wounded. Ignoring his own painful injuries, he assisted the other two casualties to a position from which they could be medically evacuated. During an extended operation from 13 May to 27 May, his platoon provided tactical planners with a vast amount of significant information on the enemy and Second Lieutenant Schanck directed Marine artillery fire and air strikes against the hostile forces, accounting for five enemy soldiers killed.

On 21 June, when the helicopter in which his patrol members were being transported, came under intense hostile small arms fire as it approached the insertion landing zone and crashed, Second Lieutenant Schanck was mortally injured. Second Lieutenant Schanck’s superb leadership, professional ability and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

In July 2000, a new “Challenge Course” at Camp Yawgoog Scout Reservation was dedicated to Boy Scouts who served their country. Second Lieutenant Garry Schanck Jr, US Marine Corps, is remembered with a rappelling tower named in his honor. Earlier, the LT William G. Schanck Jr. Memorial Bridge on Route 44 in Chepachet, Rhode Island was named in his memory.

Later, LTC Paul Helweg ’70 established the 2LT William G. Schanck Jr., USMC, Award to honor the memory of Garry Schanck. The award is presented annually to a senior ROTC cadet who best exemplifies the sense of duty, honor and selfless service of Second Lieutenant William G. Schanck Jr., USMC.

Lieutenant Schanck Jr. was buried with full military honors at the family plot, in the Acotes Hill Cemetery, Gloucester, Rhode Island. Lieutenant Garry Schanck Jr. is a true Rhode Island hero in every sense of the word. He answered the call to service during the Vietnam War and gave his life in service to Rhode Island and America.

LCpl Frank Joseph Bosco

Birth: Feb. 3, 1950 Providence, Rhode Island, USA
Death: Jun. 21, 1969 Quang Nam, Vietnam

Frank the son of Carl Bosco and Amelia D. Bosco of Providence Rhode Island enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on April 19 1968 in Providence RI. He arrived in Vietnam on October 2 where he was assigned to and served with Company D, 1st Recon Battalion, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.

On June 21, a CH-46D from HMM-165 was attempting an insertion of a Recon team on the north bank of the Karum Haran River 3 kilometers inside the Nam Hoa District border and Thuong Duc District in Quang Nam Province when it was hit by enemy ground fire. The aircraft pitched, rolled and crashed killing six members of the recon team and two crew. One of the casualties was LCpl Frank Bosco who was killed from the injuries he sustained in the crash due to the hostile enemy fire.

Casualties that day from

HMM 165 MAG-16:

William Lee Peters Jr.
Paul Edward Petroline

Delta Company 1st Recon Bn

Frank Joseph Bosco
Arthur Coby Councill III
Robert Lincoln Crites
James Oscar Hall Jr.
William Garrett Schanck Jr.
Richard Anthony Weil

Frank Joseph Bosco

Arthur Coby Councill III

Last Known Activity Click the Photo

War Story

 
Comments on Incident: 21 June 1969 at 1130 Hours. 22 1/2 miles northwest of Danang, Quang Nam Province, RVN. Crew flying on CH-46D on recon extraction. A/C received small arms fire causing A/C to crash and burn. LCPL W.T. GIBSON, gunner, received contusion to right arm and laceration to right knee, CPL J.E. GAUVIN, gunner, received fractured right "manoible" and dislocation of right shoulder. 1stLT S.W. JORGENSEN, copilot, received laceration to nose. Submitted by John Lane. Source: http://www.popasmoke.com/kia/690621/notforgotten.html Comments on Incident: This is the report I wrote to my company about the shooting down on 21 June, 1969 of the airplane of HMM-165, flown by 1st Lt. William "Lee" Peters, who was killed. The Gunner [crew chief] LCpl Paul Petroline was also killed. At approximately 1045 on 21June 1969, BuNo 154811 was attempting to insert a recon team at position ZC033864. The attempt was abandoned because of enemy opposition, and the aircraft was moving away when the gunner heard a loud explosion from the controls closet area. The co-pilot thinks that they lost boost presure. (the co-pilot is still in a state of shock from the accident and does not clearly remember what happened. It is suspected that the aircraft as hit in the controls closet area by a Rocket Propelled Grenade [RPG]. The aircraft then went out of control and crashed." "The pilot, crew chief, and six (6) members of the recon team were killed, and the co-pilot, the two (2) gunners, and the remaining two(2) members of the recon team were injured. The aircraft burned and is considered a strike." "The aircraft is in very unfriendly territory and examination of the wreckage has not been possible. It is unlikely the the risk of sending a team in to examine the wreckage will be taken so that definite confirmation of the suspected happenings is also unlikely. Submitted by John Dullighan, Boeing Tech Rep, CH-46D, HMM-165. NAVY CROSS CITATION - W.L. Peters - from a previous mission: For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 in the Republic of Vietnam on 12 April 1969. First Lieutenant Peters launched as Wingman in a section of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned to helilift a reconnaissance team into hostile territory. After arriving over the designated location, the lead aircraft inserted the Marines without incident but, while lifting off, the aircraft came under a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire and sustained extensive damage. Observing that the reconnaissance team was pinned down where it had disembarked and that the Marines were surrounded by a numerically superior hostile force, First Lieutenant Peters circled the area while helicopter gunships and fixed wing aircraft bombed and strafed the enemy soldiers who clung tenaciously to their positions only 20 feet from the beleaguered unit. When the supporting aircraft had expended its ordnance, First Lieutenant Peters, fully aware of the possible consequences of his actions but concerned only with the welfare of the men on the ground, fearlessly elected to attempt the extraction and, as he approached the landing zone, became the target for intense automatic weapons fire. Although numerous rounds penetrated his helicopter, he landed in the fire-swept area and, with calm presence of mind, resolutely maintained his dangerously exposed position, despite a fanatical assault by two North Vietnamese Army soldiers who were killed by the reconnaissance team. Assuring that the ground unit was safely aboard, he then quickly lifted from the zone under an increasingly intense volume of fire from the frustrated enemy which damaged a vital control section of his helicopter. In a brilliant display of superb airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Peters saved his fellow Marines from serious injury or possible death and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. Source: http://www.popasmoke.com/kia/690621/notforgotten.html

This record was last updated on 05/20/2000

PFC Robert Lincoln Crites, Jr

Birth: Dec. 25, 1949
McAllen
Hidalgo County
Texas, USA
Death: Jun. 21, 1969
Quang Nam, Vietnam

PFC Crites #2497926
MOS:0311 Rifleman.

Robert was born in McAllen before his family
moved to CO.
When Robert arrived in Vietnam 19 March
1969 he was assigned to Delta Company,1st
Recon Battalion,1st Marine Division.
Survived by his parents,Robert L & Elizabeth
I Crites Sr of Box 578,Mesa,CO.

PFC Robert Lincoln Crites, Jr

Burial:
Mesa Cemetery
Mesa
Mesa County
Colorado, USA

Thanks for stopping By Today

Richard Anthony Weil Jr
ON THE WALL: Panel W22 Line 110
Home of Record: Anaheim, CA
Date of birth: 05/22/1949
Service Branch: United States Marine Corps
Rank: Lance Corporal
Specialty: 0311: RIFLEMAN
Unit: Delta Company, 1ST RECON BN, 1ST MARDIV,
Start Tour: 04/05/1969
Casualty Date: 06/21/1969
Age at Loss: 20
Location: Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason: Helicopter - Noncrew
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land

Delta Company

Frank Bosco

Delta Company

1stLt William Lee Peters, USMC, was the pilot in command when he was killed on 21 June 1969. His CH-46D helicopter was shot down while inserting a Marine Force Recon team 22 1/2 miles northwest of Da Nang, Quang Nam Province. He was the recipient of the Navy Cross, the Nation's second highest award, for a previous mission on 12 April 1969. The Citation reads as follows:

The President of the United States
takes pride in presenting theNAVY CROSS
posthumously toWILLIAM LEE PETERS
First Lieutenant
United States Marine Corps Reserve

for service as set forth in the following


CITATION:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 in the Republic of Vietnam on 12 April 1969. First Lieutenant Peters launched as Wingman in a section of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned to helilift a reconnaissance team into hostile territory. After arriving over the designated location, the lead aircraft inserted the Marines without incident but, while lifting off, the aircraft came under a heavy volume of small arms and automatic weapons fire and sustained extensive damage. Observing that the reconnaissance team was pinned down where it had disembarked and that the Marines were surrounded by a numerically superior hostile force, First Lieutenant Peters circled the area while helicopter gunships and fixed wing aircraft bombed and strafed the enemy soldiers who clung tenaciously to their positions only 20 feet from the beleaguered unit. When the supporting aircraft had expended its ordnance, First Lieutenant Peters, fully aware of the possible consequences of his actions but concerned only with the welfare of the men on the ground, fearlessly elected to attempt the extraction and, as he approached the landing zone, became the target for intense automatic weapons fire. Although numerous rounds penetrated his helicopter, he landed in the fire-swept area and, with calm presence of mind, resolutely maintained his dangerously exposed position, despite a fanatical assault by two North Vietnamese Army soldiers who were killed by the reconnaissance team. Assuring that the ground unit was safely aboard, he then quickly lifted from the zone under an increasingly intense volume of fire from the frustrated enemy which damaged a vital control section of his helicopter. In a brilliant display of superb airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Peters saved his fellow Marines from serious injury or possible death and thereby upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

First Lieutenant William Lee Peters, Jr

"You only live once, but if you live right, once is enough."

Lance Corporal Paul Edward Petroline was a lance corporal for the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He died on June 21, 1969 at the age of 22 . From Lincoln Park, Michigan

Paul the husband of Carol A. Petroline of Lincoln Park Michigan, the son of Paul O. Petroline and Romaine V. Petroline also of Lincoln Park enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on August 31 1966 in Detroit MI. He arrived in Vietnam on January 19 1969 where he was as sssigned as a crew chief with HMM-165, MAG 16, 1st Marine Air Wing, FMFPac.

Crew Chief LCpl Paul Edward Petroline

Lance Corporal Richard Anthony Weil Jr.

Team Mayfly - Delta Company

June 21st, 1969

Each Day They Die

by Cpl. Robert Lin Cook
Jan 1942-Sep 1945

Each day I see
upon my screen
the death of another
good Marine,
each day they list
another name
like it was a
claim to fame.
Each day a mother
stands in tears,
she has known
her very worst fear.

And then, of course,
they must show
young Marines
standing in row
rifles held at
ready fire,
sounding loud
and sounding dire.
As a bugle blows
the lingering sound
that echoes over
the hallowed ground.

Announcing now
for all to hear
that this man died
showing no fear.
Doing duty
that was his
as did all
he stood beside.
Vainly trying
to stop the tide
of a war that
will not die.


Semper Fi!

Part 4

Picture of Jim MacQuaide and Frank Bosco. Mac was the PL for Mayfly and Vesper Belles and now lives in Miami. Frank was KIA  50 years ago on June 21, 1969 when his team was shot down on an insert into Elephant Valley. He is missed

Frank Bosco's name at the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery Vietnam Memorial

Dave Doc Snider & Frank Bosco 

Frank Bosco

Dave Snider

Frank Bosco Memorial webpage on this website.