6th April 1972
Jolly Green 67
37th ARRS
HH-53C #68-10365
Crashed after taking intensive fire from enemy while attempting a rescue of Bat 21 Bravo Iceal "Gene" Hambleton, a navigator onboard an EB-66 Destroyer who was shot down in North Vietnam. It became the largest, longest CSAR during the war. Five additional aircraft were shot down during rescue attempts, directly resulting in the deaths of 11 airmen, the capture of two others, and another airman trying to evade capture.
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Jolly 67 Crew |
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Pilot  Capt. Peter H. Chapman, III |
Co-Pilot  1Lt. John H. Call III
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Flight Mechanic  TSgt. Roy D. Prater |
Pararescue  TSgt. Allen J. Avery
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Pararescue/Gunner  Sgt. William R. Pearson
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Photographer  Sgt. James H. Alley
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Lt. Col. Gene Hambleton signed these pictures that were taken by Jack Stoops who flew with the Jolly Green Giants in Da Nang. Hambleton said he owes his life to the crews who rescued him, one of the largest rescues in SEA. A total of 234 medals were awarded to the crews from the Air Force, Navy, Marine, Army & Coast Guard for the rescue attempts, including a Medal of Honour and a Navy Cross. A very costly rescue attempt & he said "I had to stand by and watch six young men die trying to save my life. It was a hell of a price to pay for one life. I'm very sorry."
TOML ( This wa very generously donated by David Stoops who was the son of Jack. A huge thank you & I'm honoured to share this on the blog.
I had 2 weeks to go until my DEROS (Date Estimated Return from Overseas). James Alley had week less than I did. We had become friends at Clark while going through "Snake School." I was subsequently involuntarily extended for 30 days.
ReplyDeleteLt Col Gene Hambelton was our awesome guest speaker at our Pararescue Class 83-01 (Oct 1982) at Kirtland AFB, NM…he was very grateful for the overwhelming effort
ReplyDeleteMy brother, Capt. Peter H. Chapman II. Loved and missed all day every day! It hurts!
ReplyDeleteI was in the 37th when Jolly 67 went down. I remember Capt Chapman and others in that crew. Unfortunately 67 wasn't the only chopper to go down during my tour.
ReplyDeleteI was on Charlie Low that day, they were my friends and brothers. Will never forget!
ReplyDeleteMy roommate Billy Brinson told me the photog crossed the route structure from NKP with him in a Jolly. During the flight the photog said he had only a few days left in country. Billy told him not to worry because the 37th would have so many Jolly’s lined up that their chopper would be near the end of the line. The next day when all the chopper’s were lined up a call from the lead chopper called for a photog and the photog moved up from near the end of the line of choppers to the lead chopper. And then we know what happened. His picture is above. And his loss was part and parcel of why Billy suffered PTSD throughout his life. Note that our roommate and the PJ who took my bed in our room were also killed in March and of course that psychological trauma also contributed to his PTSD. May all this crew remain in our hearts until we meet again.
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