MEIXNER EDWIN GEORGE

Narrative

The HMM-262 Cmd Chron (Texas Tech 1201092039.pdf) reports the CH-46D incident as follows: "One (1) aircraft was show down by enemy fire while eroute to Khe Sanh, (XD916522) all twenty three (23) occupants on the aircraft were killed." The 3rd MarDiv ops log 28 Feb entry 154 at 1315H says "From 4th Marines: At [1229H] one CH-46 aircraft proceeding from Dong Ha to Khe Sanh w/ crew of 4 and 19 other personnel was downed by enemy fire in grid square XD9453 ... " Entry 155 says "Platoon from 3/9 reached downed acft. 1 survivor reported badly burned not expected to live." Entry 175 says in part "Lima 3/9 platoon inserted as reaction force moved bodies and survivor to LZ 100 meters from crash site. Extraction completed at 1650H. 22 dead, 1 medevac." It is clear there were 23 men on the helo, 22 were killed, and 1 survived the crash but was not expected to live. However, there is no known "Died of wounds received in helo incident" between 28 Feb and 31 Mar 68 inclusive. There are two possibilities: DD1300 for Donald Arthur LaBonte, 6857405 HN (E3) USN. LaBonte is in the CACCF as A2-D-7, died of wounds, small arms fire, ground. However, the DD1300 is specific in saying LaBonte was "Killed in action 28 February 1968 in the vicinity of Khe Sanh Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam as a result of wounds sustained when aircraft was hit by automatic weapons fire." The CACCF is correct in saying LaBonte died of wounds, but it is wrong in classifying his death as due to small arms fire in a ground engagement. Looking at it from a different direction, we have documented all personnel KIA on 28 Feb (except LaBonte), as well as one WIA who died 28 May 68. It seems clear that he was the badly burned survivor from 153360 From: Ken Davis