Recon Marines

POW/MIA

LCPL David Nipper

In November 1964, the quick succession of three typhoons—Iris, Joan, and Kate—caused widespread flooding in South Vietnam. The three storms made landfall within a 12-day period leaving seven thousand people killed and over a million homeless. The resultant flooding demanded a rescue effort beyond the capabilities of the U.S. Marine and Vietnamese Air Force helicopter units located in I Corps. Accordingly, the Special Landing Force (SLF) of the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet joined the operations on November 17th. Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 162 (HMM-162), the helicopter element of the SLF, spent six days rescuing flood victims. The Marines evacuated the most seriously injured to the amphibious assault ship USS Princeton (LPH-5) where they received emergency treatment before being returned to civilian hospitals. When the SLF departed Vietnamese waters on November 23rd, HMM 162's helicopters had flown over 600 hours and completed 1,020 sorties in support of the disaster relief operations. On November 21st, a UH-34D Choctaw (#150234) was lost at sea in an operational accident off Qui Nhon. Two crewmen, crew chief CPL Richard D. Slack Jr. and passenger LCPL David Nipper, died in the crash. The UH-34D ditched at sea shortly after takeoff from the Princeton with a 2000 lb. load of relief supplies. After issuing a Mayday call, the helicopter turned back towards the Princeton and began autorotating with crew members frantically tossing bags of rice out the cabin door to lighten the ship. With control of the crippled aircraft passed to him by the aircraft commander, the more experienced co-pilot attempted to let the Choctaw roll gently on its side after touching down in the sea; however, when the blades hit the water, it violently flipped over on its other side. Marines risked their lives and jumped from rescue helicopters into wind-tossed seas to recover Slack. He was brought back aboard the Princeton unconscious to a waiting medical team on the flight deck. They were unable to revive him. The pilots were rescued uninjured; however, Nipper's remains were not recovered. [Taken from vhpa.org, popasmoke.com, and "U.S. Marines in Vietnam: The Advisory and Combat Assistance Era 1954-1964" by CAPT Robert H. Whitlow, USMCR]

Maj Egan #089846
MOS: 0802 Field Artillery Officer.

James was serving in the US Marine Reserves when he went into active duty and arrived in Vietnam where he was assigned to Hotel Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.
Lt Egan went out with Recon Team Hateful to observe hostile forces and the area that had been bombed. The patrol was on Hill 829, at Cao Muon Mountain and 6 kilometers northwest of Ba To Airfield, when the recon team was attacked by an unknown number of Viet Cong. The team returned fire and set up a perimeter. James was last seen alive during the attack by members of the recon team 21 January 1967, but after accounting for all the members of the team it was determined that he was wounded or captured by the Viet Cong. The area was searched, and his body not recovered. Lt Egan was listed as Missing In Action and
remained in that status until he was declared dead 3 February 1978. He was promoted to Major while Missing In Action status.
Tour of duty unknown.
Survived by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. James Egan Sr of Mountainside, New Jersey.

Maj James Thomas Egan Jr.

James was serving in the US Marine Reserves when he went into active duty and arrived in Vietnam where he was assigned to Hotel Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.

Ronald Lee Longanecker

POW/MIA

part 2

I'm just a simple old warrior who served in the uniform of this country's military in War who loves to discuss all aspects of life. It is my firm conviction that if one understands what caused the war, how the war was conducted, and the Reconstruction Years that followed, one will know what this country is about.

They came this way but once. Yet, they touched our lives in many ways while they were here. We shall remain eternally grateful for their friendship and for the influence each bestowed upon us.

Remember you are not forgotten while I am still on patrol.

Marines

Edward Jay Rykoskey was serving his country during the Vietnam War when he gave his all in the line of duty. He had enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Entered the service via Regular Military. Rykoskey had the rank of Lance Corporal. Service number assignment was 2096168. Attached to 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Recon Battalion, C Company.

He was born on May 11, 1946. According to our records Pennsylvania was his home or enlistment state and Cumberland county has been included within the archival record. We have Carlisle listed as his city.

During his service in the Vietnam War, Marine Corps Lance Corporal Rykoskey experienced a traumatic event which ultimately resulted in loss of life on August 18, 1966. Recorded circumstances attributed to: Died through hostile action .. small arms fire .. Body not recovered. Incident location: South Vietnam, Quang Nam province.

EDWARD JAY RYKOSKEY

You are listed as MIA , but we know you are with the almighty in Gods Kingdom !
RIP. Semper Fi !

Ronald Lee Longanecker
Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division
Entered the Service From: Portland, Oregon
Date of Birth: October 13, 1947
Date of Death: July 08, 1966
Wars or Conflicts: Vietnam War
Memorialized: Courts of the Missing: Court A
Honolulu Memorial
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

Lance Corporal Longanecker was a member of Company A, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. On July 8, 1966, he was a passenger in a Boeing Sea Knight Cargo Helicopter (CH-46A) about five miles southwest of Cam Lo, South Vietnam, when his aircraft was shot down. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial

Part 1 of 4