The Quang Tri Med-Evac
A tribute to the crew of HMM-262 Marine helicopter 152469, August 31,1967.

Forward:

In 1967 the Viet Nam war was in full swing. The Northern sector of Viet Nam, know as I Corps, was considered by many to be the most hostile territory in country, infested by strongholds of both V.C. and North Vietnamese Regulars. The closer to North Viet Nam, the more hostile this already dangerous sector became. Quang Tri province bordered North Viet Nam with only the DMZ as a "buffer" between it, with the South China Sea to it's East, and, Laos formed it's Western border. Quang Tri Province would host some of the fiercest battles of the entire war. This territory contained names of places that will forever be remembered in American war history, like Cam Lo, Con Thien, Dong Ha, Gio Linh, Quang Tri, Lang Vei, "The Rock Pile", "Leatherneck Square", and of course, Khe Sanh. In the spring of 1967 the "Hill Wars" in the Khe Sanh area erupted with inflows of North Vietnamese regulars that would be the prelude for the famous Siege of Khe Sanh in January 1968. Not surprisingly, it was the US Marines who were assigned as the primary ground force for the I Corps sector.

Viet Nam was known as the "Helicopter War". It has been said that a wounded American was never more than 20 minutes away from an emergency med-evac. In 1967 the Marine CH-46A's were beginning to challenge the designation of "workhorse", an honor held by the UH-34D "Dogs" among Marine helicopter squadrons. This distinction, however, would have to wait. It was discovered, through several tragic air crashes, the CH-46A had a major structural deficiency in the aft pylon where it was attached to the main fuselage. Simply stated, the helicopter fell apart in mid air. Despite this knowledge, crews continued to fly and performed their duty.

One such helicopter, BuWeps #152469 belonging to HMM-262 was subject to aft pylon failure, killing all aboard. The plane served as lead aircraft for a med-evac in Quang Tri Province, Republic of South Viet Nam. The pilot was Major Lawrence Moyer, the co-pilot 2nd Lt. John Merriman. Lance Corporal Mike Laymon would normally fly as crew chief, flew that day as gunner, deferring crew chief to the rank of Gunnery Sgt. Clement Lajeunesse. The wounded Marine med-evac was PFC Danny Wray Engesser. This poem is a memorial to these men that lost their lives that tragic day on 31 August 1967. First, join me as we set the set the stage for our memorial.

Prelude:

We are aboard the ship USS Tripoli, a helicopter landing platform and the present home of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262. It's 90 degrees F, but the real heat of the day is still on the other side of the dawn. While some are still having chow in the mess, the flight deck is busy with activity. There is jet fuel in the air. APP's are whining as the crews ready the planes with last minute preparations and pre-flights. Weapons are mounted with ammo at the ready. Velcro straps are tightened on the armored vests. The Ready room is emptying as the HAC's have their assignments. The helmsman begins to turn the ship into the morning breeze in anticipation of the days first launch. It's time now, that we begin our story of a med-evac in Quang Tri...

The Quang Tri Med-Evac

The APP's were screaming in the air
Awakening the dawn;
The choppers lined up stem to stern:
Another Viet morn.

The crew chiefs scurried to and fro,
Inspecting every craft.
They knew the structure of each plane
Was suspect pylon aft

There was no thought of quitting,
Or turning in the "skins;"
It's just another danger
That we choose to keep within.

The pilots did the charting,
The planning and the like;
The crew chiefs and the gunners
Were loading for the strike.

The call came in an instant,
In the same was answered back;
The rotors started turning
For a Quang Tri med-evac.

The lead took its position,
The chase was right behind.
We didn't even say good-bye
Or pay it special mind.

They left the ship and headed West
Across the China Sea;
The mountains and the jungle
Were upon them 1-2-3.

Mike Laymon was the gunner-
He normally would crew.
But today the Gunney signed along
It's what he had to do.

Major Moyer made quite certain
That the plane stayed right on track.
The engines were both screaming
For the Quang Tri med-evac.

As they closed on their location,
The men began to tense.
They crouched behind their weapons,
Trusting instinct over sense

They circled their objective,
Not certain they were right.
But Merriman was first to see
The smoke that marked the site.

Lajeunesse was at the ready
For the scene yet to unfold;
He knew the same for Laymon
As he heard him lock and load

They descended in a spiral
Their speed was not the lack.
They had no other purpose
Than the Quang Tri med-evac.

The trees came up to meet them,
They skimmed across the top.
The sense of danger in the air
Would never make them stop.

They slowed at 20 feet of height
To only 20 knots.
They knew they'd be a target
If the zone was proven hot

While Laymon manned the 50
And the Gunney hustled aft,
The ramp was fully opened,
Giving access to the craft

He was carried in a poncho,
Not known if white or black.
They only knew they had to save
This Quang Tri med-evac.

The Marines let down the poncho
In a gentle sort of way;
They touched their wounded comrade
With nothing more to say.

Some said he should not be there
He's only in his teens.
He heard the people say the same
When joining the Marines.

The Corpsman did his job full well
He eased the young man's pain.
As young as he, the Gunner smiled
And peace was in the plane

His training got him through the bush,
With armament and pack.
He never would have thought he'd be
The Quang Tri med-evac.

The throttles went against the stops,
They needed every turn.
To reach the ship for this Marine,
The miles they'd have to burn

The take-off was impressive,
Full collective made them soar.
They manned their guns and stations
Beneath the engines roar

They rose above the treetops
And searched the ground below.
They saw Marines dispersing-
In the bush they had to go

They headed for the ocean,
Full speed to get them back.
For time was of the essence
To this Quang Tri med-evac.

The plane seemed always ready
And willing for commission.
But something just prevented it
From finishing the mission

Perhaps it was the landing,
Or the thousand made before.
Or maybe it was stress induced
By the pitch, the roll, and yaw.

There was no hint or warning,
No visual or sound.
The plane exhausted, fully spent,
Went plunging to the ground.

God had shown them mercy
So make no doubt of that
They had no time to suffer
With their Quang Tri med-evac.

There was no joy in Mudville
As the saying goes.
The Tripoli was silent
As we mourned our missing 'bro's

The years have passed and dulled some pain,
But we will always know,
We'll always keep them in our hearts
And never let them go.

Marines are always faithful;
We shout our "Semper Fi"
We never leave a one behind -
In body, spirit, mind.

Our brothers now in peace they rest,
We'll take another tact.
We honor them in memory
With our Quang Tri med-evac.

Respectfully submitted by
Rick O'Neil - Crew Chief/Gunner