On August 18, 1971, The Heavy Mortar Platoon, HHC 2/4 Infantry was being transported by CH-47A, Tail Number: 66-19023, from Ludwigsburg to Grafenwohr for a live fire training exercise. At 0940hrs while en route, an aft main rotor blade separated, the helicopter crashed and exploded into a hayfield near Pegnitz, killing all 37 on board.

(For the complete history of aircraft 66-19023 including a more detailed account of this accident, click here.)

Author's note:
13 months later, I would be assigned to B Co. 2/4 Inf. in Neu-Ulm Germany as an Infantryman.

	Fatalities
Heavy Mortar Platoon 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment
1LT John E. Echterling Jr.		1LT Henry L. Pittard Jr.
SSG Paten L. Smith		SGT Terry E. Bowerman
SGT George J. Gongaware		SGT Christopher W. Pyzik
SGT Harold D. Dillaman Jr.		SP5 Russell L. Schober
SP4 Fernando Apodaca		PFC Ronald F. Scholl
PFC Arthur R. Kearney		PFC Roger M. Hartman
PFC Ronald R. Pestka		PFC Eric L. Landry
PFC Samuel M. Cherry		PFC David P. Dunks
PFC David W. Slaver		PFC Michael L. Annis
PFC Raymond T. Gadbois		PFC Lawrence H. Karaschin
PFC David A. Person		PFC Paul E. Hickson
PFC Charles E. Fife		PFC Jeffrey M. Vickerman
PFC Eddie W. Nichols		PFC Richard Willis
PFC Vernon L. Ailstock Jr.		PFC Noel Velez
PFC Mark P. Connors		PFC Edward A. Monnin Jr.
PFC Raymond H. Cork		PFC Clarence C. West
PFC John P. Egelund
4th Aviation Company, 15th Aviation Group (Aircraft Crew)
Captain James W. Hensley		CWO James H. Perry
SP5 Lawrence J. Angetini		(Rank unknown) Dennis A. Ferraro