VIETNAM

ASSOCIATION
(117thAHCVA)

117th Assault Helicopter Company

Beach Bums, and Warlords

Annie Fannys, Pink Panthers, Sidewinders and Roadrunners;

This site is about the 117th AHC in Vietnam during the 10 years that it was in country. It includes a short history of the 117th Assault Helicopter Company, a tribute to those of the 117th who did not make it home and to those who have passed away since their return. As well as Roster, Reunion Information,Stories,Photo link to the 117th Flickr Site and much much more.

WELCOME HOME!

All text and personal photos are the possession of
117th AHCVA website or its members and may not be
copied without permission from the webmaster or the
contributor.

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The 117th AHC was formed from the 8th TRANSPORTATION COMPANY (Light Helicopter)

and had these Detachments assigned to it.
130th MEDICAL DETACHMENT
140th TRANS.DET. (CHFM)
125th ATC (Air Traffic Control)
256th SIGNAL DETACHMENT
and Gunners from the 25th Inf.Shotgun Programwho were TDY to the 117th

None of us could have done our jobs

without the help of others.

It took all of us to make up the company.

15th Annual 117th AHC Reunion
At ALBUQUERQUE,NM

June 10-13, 2015 (departing on the 14th)
117th VIETNAM from 1961-1972

Our 117th Reunion will include our support detachments and our parent company
8th Transportation Company (Light Helicopter), 140th Trans Det.,
130th Med. Det., 256th Sig. Det., & the 25th Inf. Shotgun Gunners.

The reason being we have guys who where in or
know someone from other units that may be attending and
this is a good place for all to meet.

You do not have to be a member of VHCMA or the 117th AHCVA
to attend the reunion of course we would like for you to join.
Please do register with VHCMA
and notify the 117th you will be attending.

Important: The dinner fees for both the VHCMA Saturday
and the 117th Friday Dinners will again be collected by the 117th.
On the VHCMA Registration form
at the dinner entry line put in the number attending the dinner
and in the dollar amount space write see (Al Bennett)
Send all dinner funds made out to the 117th AHCVA
and send to:
117th AHCVA c/o Al Bennett
2483 Davis Rd
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433-0051

The 117th Friday evening dinner is incomplete at this time
you will be notified when it's confirmed with a menu and price.

Note: All other VHCMA Reunion fees are to be paid directly to the VHCMA
at the address located at the bottom
of the VHCMA Reunion Registration Form
You can now go to the VHCMA web site to get a Registration Form
for the reunion and see their reunion agenda with the meal menu.
http://www.vhcma.org/reunion.html

The hotel is the Albuquerque Marriott
at 2101 Louisiana Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87110
to book a room use group code VHC on line
at: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/abqnm-albuquerque-marriott/
or call in house reservations at: 1-505-881-6800

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The VHCMA 2016 reunion will be June 14-18 and
will again be at Herndon VA. Near Washington, DC

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If you will be attending any of our reunions.
LET ME KNOW.
We will need your name and the names of those who will be attending with you.
We are also asking for your address and home & cell phone numbers.
We try to keep our data base/roster up to date.

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I HAVE HAD A FEW ASK WHO WILL BE ATTENDING.
I will make a list available VIA an email request.

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If you would like to host a Mini-Reunion in your area let me know
and I will help get the word out.

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Al Bennett 117th 2nd Plt Crew Chief 2/67-2/68
2483 Davis Rd. DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433-0051

E-mail me at: namvet42@hotmail.com
Please post 117th in the subject field of your e-mails.
Or call 850-834-3376 press #1 after the recording.

If you are unable to open the attachment
for VHCMA Reunion Registration Form or the Agenda.
Please let me know and I will send it as an as opened email letter or by USPS.

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**********************VHCMA 2016 Reunion UP-DATE 16 Feb 2015************************

The 117th Reunion for 2016 Hosted by the VHCMA will be at Herndon, VA
It will again be at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport hotel.

This will be the 30th VHCMA Reunion and the 117th's 16th. The date will be June 14 - 18, 2016.
More info for the 2016 reunion will be passed on as I receive it.

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< style="text-align: center;">SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS and REQUEST

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RECENT 117th BROTHERS, FAMILY'S or FRIENDS Who Have Need of PRAYERS do to SICKNESS or DEATH

Up-Dated 05 February 2015

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**************** UPDATED 21 February 2015**** DEATH NOTICES***************************

added 21 Feb 2015
HICKS, WALTER G.(Walt) Passed away 14 Feb 2015
Walt was with the 117th from 9/1965 till 9/1966. He was a Captain / Pilot
Walt retired from the Army after 21 years service at the rank of Lt. Colonel.
He also was a Life Member of the 117th AHCVA

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added 14 Feb 2015
I received notice that David A. Measels 'Dave" passed away 26 July 2014
Dave was a pilot with the 117th for a few months starting in June 1966
when he volunteered to transfer to the 120th Avn

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On 13 Dec 2014 CHARLES D. DORR Passed Away 8th &117th/ Pilot/ 1963-64

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On 26 October 2014 Raymond(Ray) J. Bennett passed away do to complications with Lymphoma ,
which he has been fighting for several years.
Ray was in the 117th 1967-68 and came to the company with a Chaplains Assistant MOS.
but Ray became a part-time gunner as well.
I vaguely remember Ray not just because we have the same last name,
but before he was a gunner and after.
I'd run into him on the flight line when I was in Dong Ba Thin for ship maintenance.
Rays brother Frank was the one who contacted me.
Ray's wish was to have his ashes committed to the sea,
via being droped from a Huey while they play the movie theme song from Apocalpse Now
I hope he got his wish!

------------------------------------------Added 13 Dec 2014----------------------------------------------

On 28 November 2014 Bob L. Franks passed away at 71 yrs old.
Bob passed do to ALS and Prostate Cancer.
He was assigned to the 117th from 1966-67 and was a Crew-chief /Gunner
for the 1st Platoon at Dong Ba Thin
Bob was a retired firefighter for 39 years in Indiana and is survived by his wife.
If you would like to make contact with the family let me know and I'll forward your info.

-----------------------------------------Added 13 Dec 2014--------------------------------------------

On 29 November 2014 Col. Lynn B. Knisely(retired) passed away from Brain Cancer
He did 2 tours in Vietnam, 1964-63 with the 118th and in 1968-69 with the 117th
f you would like to make contact with the family let me know and I'll forward your info.
-

---------------------------------------Added 13 Dec 2014----------------------------------------------

Delayed notification from the son of 1Lt LEE STEPHENSON who passed away Feb. 2014
1Lt Stephenson served in the 117th/8th Trans 1962-63 1Lt Stephenson advanced in grade to a Major be for departing the Army.
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The wife of Carl Norris (Therese " Rosie" Norris) passed away 07 Dec 2014 do to Lung Cancer
Carl and Rosie have attended some 117th Reunions. Both have been great people to be associated with and I know Rosie will be greatly missed.
Per Rosie's request in lieu of flowers please make a memorial donation to the Sierra Vista Animal Shelter

----------------------------- UPDATED 07 NOV 2014----------------------------------------------

Garry Pribble passed away 10/29/2014 do to cancer.
GARRY was a 2nd Flt Plt CREW CHIEF from April 67-68
Garry was from Ohio and has lived in Georgia and Florida. He also has attended our 117th Camp out at Melbourne,FL and the campout at L.Z. Friendly Danielsville, Ga. Garry was a retired Auto Mechanic and a Computer Programmer .

--------------------- UPDATED 13SEP2014----------------------------------------------------------

RE: Kenneth (Ken) Haywood Passed away 2 Sept 2014
Ken was with the 117th from 1968 till 1970
During his time with the company he was in the 2nd Platoon and held the position of Crew Chief and Platoon Sergeant
Before his time with Uncle Sam he was a welder and fabricator
Ken built several special gun mounts on ships.
He was also a Pro-Bull Rider and was proud to wear his cowboy hat and belt buckle to the reunions.
Since 2001 ,at our first 117th reunion Ken joined our association,and
was a Life Member and held one of the Board Member Positions.
Ken and his wife Barb have attended most of our reunion since that time.
One of the last things he told Barb was that she should continue attending our reunions.
I know Ken will be missed by all of us and will be again riding a Bull and a Huey as I write this.
Farewell my friend.

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--------------------------- ------------SICK CALL-----update-- 24Feb 2015-------------------

Added 24 Feb 15 I talked with Frank yesterday. He is even more weak and tired than the last time we talked.
. Please keep Frank and his family in your prayers. I do believe his days with us will be few.
I talked to FRANK RODDY he is not doing well Hospice has been called in and he is very weak..
Please keep Frank in your prayers as well as his family. Frank and his son Mark along with grandson Cameron have attended several of our reunions.

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Links to 117th PAGES on this site:

LIST of KIA's in Vietnam http://www.117thahc.org/gone_but_not_forgotten.htm",

LIST of those WHO HAVE PASSED since Vietnam http://www.117thahc.org/died_after_vietnam.htm",

A Brief History of the 117thhttp://www.117thahc.org/history_of_the_117th.htm",

VIEW the Guest Book for 2006-2011http://www.117thahc.org/VIEW_GUEST_BOOK_2006.htm",

Sign the Guest Book "http://www.117thahc.org/SIGN%20GUEST%20BOOK.htm",
FUTURE REUNIONS http://www.117thahc.org/future 117th reunions.htm>

PAST REUNIONShttp://www.117thahc.org/Past 117th Reunions.htm

ROSTER http://www.117thahc.org/Roster.htm

Board of Directors of the 117thAHCVA http://www.117thahc.org/board_of_directors.htm",

MEMBERSHIP Application http://www.117thahc.org/membership_ application.htm

117th AHC HATS , PATCHES , License Plate Frames( Car & Motorcycle)and T- SHIRTS: http://www.117thahc.org/for_sale.htm"

----UP-DATE 12/15/09---BOB WAGNER, A 117th AHC Veteran.
An author of great humor now has a new book out,
and has offered to donate a portion of the sale of his new book to the 117th AHCVA
((ONLY If you get it directly THROUGH him)). The book is titled "30 DAYS ON THE BEACH" bwagf@comcast.net"

All text and personal photos are the possession of 117th AHCVA website or its members and may not be

copied without permission from the webmaster or the contributor ©2011.

If you have photos you would like to see on this page from your tour with the 117th,
please email or snail mail them to me. If hard copies, I will make sure you get them back.

117th PHOTOS are posted on the Flickr Web Site click on the link below.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/117thahc/sets/"

Help us to Identify the people in these photos. Thanks.http://www.117thahc.org/please_identify.htm

Special Requests for Help. http://www.117thahc.org/special_requests.htm

AIRCRAFT INCIDENT and STATISTICS REPORT http://www.117thahc.org/incidents_and_statistics.htm

Some of the Company MISSIONS; http://www.117thahc.org/missions.htm

Memories from our 117th Past http://www.117thahc.org/memories.htm

Nostalgia http://www.117thahc.org/nostalgia.htm

Triviahttp://www.117thahc.org/trivia.htm

Stories of Vietnamhttp://www.117thahc.org/stories.htm

Poemshttp://www.117thahc.org/poems.htm

Salutehttp://www.117thahc.org/salute.htm

117th Mentioned Storieshttp://www.117thahc.org/117th_mentioned.htm

Ann Margaret Storyhttp://www.117thahc.org/ann_margaret.htm

Links to Other Sites of Interest Vietnamhttp://www.117thahc.org/links_to_other_sites.htm

D. Company 151st Inf.Rangershttp://www.117thahc.org/d_company_rangers.htm

117th In Korea (Toros) after leaving Vietnamhttp://www.117thahc.org/james_boone.htm

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8th Transportation Company (Light Helicopter)
Now has a Web Page thanks to Hans Halberstadt

Hans was in the 8th 1962-1963

http://www.8thtrans.com

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VIETNAM HELICOPTER CREW MEMBERS ASSOCIATION

http://www.vhcma.org

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145th COMBAT AVIATION BATTALION (VIETNAM) ASSOCIATION

http://www.145thcab.com

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added 2/21/13 Link to the 134 AHC Web site

http://www.134thahc.com

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VIETNAM HELICOPTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION

http://www.vhpa.org

Also Check out the 117th page at the VHPA Museum site.

http://www.vhpamuseum.org/companies/117ahc/117ahc.shtml

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1ST AVIATION BRIGADE WEBSITE

http://www.1stavnbde.com

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"PICTURES/FINAL003.jpg

Ohio River Logo used with permission.

To contact the Ohio River Chapter of VHPA

contact Bob Hamilton at:CAPTBOB757@AOL.COM

http://www.ohrivlz.org/

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Ruben Rasso-Specialist 5 117th Assault Helicopter Company "Warlords".
President and Founder Corona Veterans' Memorial Division
rubenrasso@aol.com

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Find Your Military Friends

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VIETNAM

ASSOCIATION (117thAHCVA)

WELCOME HOME!

ASSOCIATION
(117thAHCVA)