West
Springfield’s Fallen from the Vietnam War
RAYMOND
GEORGE MASSE
Personal
Data:
Birth
Date:
May 15,
1948
Birth
Place:
Race:
Caucasian
Religion:
Roman
Catholic
U.S.
Citizen: Yes
Father’s
Name:
Mother’s
Name:
Sibling
Names:
Marital
Status:
Single
Wife’s
Name:
Offspring
Names:
Education:
Schools
Attended:
High
School Diploma:
Selective
Service Data:
SSS
Local Board Number:
SSS
Local Board Location:
SSS
Registration Date:
SSS
Registrant Description:
Military
Service Record:
Entry
Date:
Entry
Mode:
Entry
Location:
Home
of Record:
West Springfield,
Massachusetts
Service
Branch:
Army
Service
Component:
Selective
Service
Rank:
Specialist
Four
Rank
Abbrev:
SP4
Pay
Grade:
E4
MOS:
11B20
MOS
Title:
MOS
Background:
Awards
Received:
Badges
Earned:
Posthumous
Promotion:
Length
of Service:
Southeast
Asia Tour Data:
Date
Tour Commenced: November
18, 1968
Major
Command:
11th
Light Infantry Brigade
Regiment:
3rd
Infantry
Battalion:
4th
Battalion
Company:
B Company
Casualty
Data:
Casualty
Date:
August
15, 1969
Casualty
Time:
Casualty
Age:
21
Casualty
Data 1: Hostile,
Died
Casualty
Data 2: Air
Loss, Crash on Land
Casualty
Data 3:
Helicopter
- Non-Crew
Casualty
Province:
Quang
Ngai
Casualty
Country:
South
Vietnam
Located
In Or Near:
Casualty
Coordinates: BS
622 352
Casualty
Vehicle: UH-1H
Iroquois serial number 66-00993
Aircraft
Incident Data: click
here for Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
report
Body
Recovered:
Yes
Burial/Memorial:
Burial
Location:
Burial
Plot Location:
Burial
Date:
Consigned
Funeral Home:
Military
Escort Name:
West Springfield’s Fallen Casualty Order:
2nd
Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Panel Number:
19W
Line
Number: 46
Helicopter UH-1H 66-00993
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-00993
The Army purchased this helicopter 1266
Total flight hours at this point: 00001571
Date: 08/15/69
Incident number: 69081555.KIA
Unit: 174 AHC
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: BS622352
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or
updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Also: OPERA
(Operations Report. )
Loss to Inventory
Crew Members:
CE SP4 DELVALLE SANCHEZ ALEJO KIA
G PFC GRAHAM JOHNNIE JR KIA
AC WO1 SHIELDS ROBERT HAZEN II KIA
P WO1 BOZINSKI JOHN MICHAEL KIA
Passengers:
SP4 LENTZ DAVID BURNETT, AR, PX, KIA;
War Story:
Aircraft was trail in flight of four with mission of putting Infantry in to take
out .51 cal that had been firing up aircraft going in and out of San Juan Hill.
Gun could not be knocked out by artillery or air strike and decision was to put
infantry in to take out the gun, because it was constantly being moved. The .51
cal hosed aircraft. Mast was hit causing main rotor separation and tailboom was
severed. Aircraft was on final to LZ at 200 feet, came apart hit the ground
exploded on hill top and then rolled on fire down to the bottom of a ravine.
Crew of four and six 11th BDE infantry killed. from Mike Sloniker 10 Dec 9
This record was last updated on 05/25/98
The following is crew member information for this incident:
Name: WO1 John Michael Bozinski
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/15/69 while performing the duty
of Pilot.
Age at death: 22.1
Date of Birth: 07/14/47
Home City: Superior, WI
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 174 AHC
Major organization: Americal Division
Flight class: 69-13
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-043
Short Summary: With WO1 Robert H. Shields, SP4 Alejo del Valle, and PFC Johnnie
Graham, Jr.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00993
SSN: 399441620
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 100B = Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: pilot
Started Tour: 07/01/69
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - pilot
Length of service: 01
Location: Quang Ngai Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Lutheran (Missouri Synod)
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this
incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel:
active duty Army Military class: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 07/19/92
Name: SP4 Sanchez Alejo Del Valle
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/15/69 while performing the duty
of Crew Chief.
Age at death: 20.8
Date of Birth: 11/02/48
Home City: Bayamon, PR
Service: component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 174 AHC
Major organization: Americal Division
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-044
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00993
SSN: 583073001
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67N20 = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: crew chief
Started Tour: 01/10/69
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Quang Ngai Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this
incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel:
active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 06/25/94
Name: PFC Johnnie Graham, Jr.
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/15/69 while performing the duty
of Gunner.
Age at death: 19.7
Date of Birth: 12/03/49
Home City: New York, NY
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 174 AHC
Major organization: Americal Division
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-044
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00993
SSN: 088423428
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67A1F = Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: door gunner
Started Tour: 03/30/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 02
Location: Quang Ngai Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Negro
Relgion: Baptist - other groups
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this
incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel:
active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 06/25/94
Name: SP4 David Burnett Lentz
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/15/69 while performing the duty
of Passenger.
Date of Birth: 11/24/48
Home City: North Bend, OR
Service: component of the U.S. Army.
Major organization: 11th Light Infantry Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-045
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00993
SSN: 543581350
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B20 = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 11/18/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Quang Ngai Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Protestant - no denominational preference
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this
incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel:
active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 05/25/98
Name: SP4 Raymond George Masse
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/15/69 while performing the duty
of Passenger.
Date of Birth: 05/15/48
Home City: West Springfield, MA
Service: component of the U.S. Army.
Major organization: 11th Light Infantry Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-046
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00993
SSN: 026345150
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B20 = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 11/18/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Quang Ngai Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this
incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel:
active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 05/25/98
Name: CPL Terry Keith McDonell (posthumously promoted)
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/15/69 while performing the duty
of Passenger.
Date of Birth: 11/05/45
Home City: Sapulpa, OK
Service: component of the U.S. Army.
Major organization: 11th Light Infantry Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-046
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00993
SSN: 444445325
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B10 = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 03/28/69
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Location: Quang Ngai Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Baptist - other groups
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this
incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel:
active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 05/25/98
Name: SP4 Ronnie Lee Robertson
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/15/69 while performing the duty
of Passenger.
Date of Birth: 08/16/48
Home City: Old Fort, NC
Service: component of the U.S. Army.
Major organization: 11th Light Infantry Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-047
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00993
SSN: 245805164
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B20 = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 09/20/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Quang Ngai Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Baptist - other groups
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this
incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel:
active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 05/25/98
Name: WO1 Robert Hazen Shields II
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/15/69 while performing the duty
of Aircraft Commander.
Age at death: 26.2
Date of Birth: 06/19/43
Home City: Kensington, MD
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 174 AHC
Major organization: Americal Division
Flight class: 69-1
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-047
Short Summary: With WO1 John M. Bozinski, SP4 Alejo Del Valle, and PFC Johnnie
Graham, Jr.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00993
SSN: 220422876 Service number: W3164199
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 100B = Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Started Tour: 04/09/69
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Location: Quang Ngai Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: unknown
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this
incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel:
active duty Army Military class: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 12/10/95
Name: CPL John Gerdes Smith (posthumously promoted)
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/15/69 while performing the duty
of Passenger.
Date of Birth: 08/03/49
Home City: Hico, WV
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Major organization: 11th Light Infantry Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-047
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00993
SSN: 236788911
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B10 = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 05/14/69
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Location: Quang Ngai Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Methodist (Evangelical United Brethren)
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this
incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel:
active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 07/29/96
Name: CPL William Harold Somerville (posthumously promoted)
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/15/69 while performing the duty
of Passenger.
Date of Birth: 04/08/49
Home City: Charlestown, IN
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Major organization: 11th Light Infantry Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-048
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-00993
SSN: 314524020
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B10 = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 05/15/69
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Location: Quang Ngai Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Protestant - no denominational preference
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this
incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel:
active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 05/25/98
The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1D tail number
66-00993
It is provided here as an ESTIMATE of the history of this helicopter and is not
intended to be the final authority.
This helicopter was purchased by the US Army in 1266.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.
DATE FLT HRS UIC UNIT AREA POST COUNTRY
6612 37 37 1649 ARMY AVN DIV 6TH ARMY DUGWAY PG TEVALCOM
6701 22 59 1649 ARMY AVN DIV 6TH ARMY DUGWAY PG TEVALCOM
6702 20 79 1649 ARMY AVN DIV 6TH ARMY DUGWAY PG TEVALCOM
6703 20 99 1715 POST SUPPLY 6TH ARMY FORT ORD 6TH ARMY
6704 4 103 1715 ARMY AVN DIV 6TH ARMY DUGWAY PG TEVALCOM
6705 16 119 1715 ARMY AVN DIV 6TH ARMY DUGWAY PG TEVALCOM
6706 15 134 1715 USARV FLT DET VIETNAM RVN
6707 18 152 1715 USARV FLT DET VIETNAM RVN
6708 22 174 1715 BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM
6709 13 187 1715 BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM
6710 62 249 1714 BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM
6711 20 269 1714 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY
6712 3 272 WAB3A0 CO A 101 AVN BN VIETNAM RVN
6801 0 272 WAB3A0 CO A 101 AVN BN VIETNAM RVN
6802 121 393 WAB3A0 CO A 101 AVN BN VIETNAM RVN
6803 35 428 3241 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY
6804 0 428 3241 BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM
6805 46 474 3241 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY
6806 91 565 3241 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY
6807 94 659 3241 OPM SEA NITEOPS 1ST ARMY FORT BELVOIR AMC
6808 59 718 WAB3A0 CO A 101 AVN BN VIETNAM RVN
6809 101 819 WAB3A0 CO A 101 AVN BN VIETNAM RVN
6810 100 919 WAB3A0 CO A 101 AVN BN VIETNAM RVN
6811 103 1022 WAB3A0 CO A 101 AVN BN VIETNAM RVN
6812 0 1022 WC5GAA 610 TRANS CO VIETNAM RVN
6901 0 1022 WC5GAA 610 TRANS CO VIETNAM RVN
6902 8 1030 WC5GAA 610 TRANS CO VIETNAM RVN
6903 143 1173 WC42AA 174 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
6904 112 1285 WC42AA 174 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
6905 58 1343 WC42AA 174 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
6906 90 1433 WC42AA 174 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
6907 138 1571 WC42AA 174 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
Please send additions or corrections to:
VHPA Head Quarters or Gary
Roush or Mike Law
Printed from databases on: 08/27/00
Copyright © 1998, 1999 and 2000 Vietnam
Helicopter Pilots Association