Post by cwosnappywhite on Apr 3, 2006 18:50:42 GMT -6
As regards to the details of the death of Sp5 William D. Biever, Crew Chief of Aircraft Huey helicopter, UH-1D #65-12891 which was shot down on 19 July 1967 in Kontum Province, RVN.
Sp5 Biever was with A Company, 4th Aviation Bn, 4th Inf. Div.
He was flying on a 'people sniffer' (Snoopy) mission that day. The A/C was Bryan "Red" Resses and the C/P was "Pete" Mangun. The Gunner was Goodrich, or Goodwin. I do not remember the Snoopy operator's name.
They where shot down by heavy small arms fire while flying at 60 feet AGL and 40 Kts, which was the standard alt and sp for a snoopy mission while recording.
The aircraft was in flames before crashing into heavy jungle. It rolled onto the crew Chief side of the aircraft and pinned Biever down. The aircraft was in flames. CWO Resses and the gunner where able to exit the aircraft. They both where able to pull Mangun, who had been hit in the head and chest out of the aircraft, they where not able to rescue Biever or the Snoopy operator.
Biever was ordered to get out of his gunner's position and move to the front of the aircraft, but he last reply was, 'No, sir, I am on them with my M-60. This as good a place as any to try to land, sir.' Sp5 Biever was awarded the DFC. I flew many missions in Huey 15-12891 with Sp5 Biever before he went on his last mission. He was a special person, great crew chief, and brave soldier. Dick "Snappy" White
Sp5 Biever was with A Company, 4th Aviation Bn, 4th Inf. Div.
He was flying on a 'people sniffer' (Snoopy) mission that day. The A/C was Bryan "Red" Resses and the C/P was "Pete" Mangun. The Gunner was Goodrich, or Goodwin. I do not remember the Snoopy operator's name.
They where shot down by heavy small arms fire while flying at 60 feet AGL and 40 Kts, which was the standard alt and sp for a snoopy mission while recording.
The aircraft was in flames before crashing into heavy jungle. It rolled onto the crew Chief side of the aircraft and pinned Biever down. The aircraft was in flames. CWO Resses and the gunner where able to exit the aircraft. They both where able to pull Mangun, who had been hit in the head and chest out of the aircraft, they where not able to rescue Biever or the Snoopy operator.
Biever was ordered to get out of his gunner's position and move to the front of the aircraft, but he last reply was, 'No, sir, I am on them with my M-60. This as good a place as any to try to land, sir.' Sp5 Biever was awarded the DFC. I flew many missions in Huey 15-12891 with Sp5 Biever before he went on his last mission. He was a special person, great crew chief, and brave soldier. Dick "Snappy" White
