SEWARD WILLIAM HENRY

Narrative

SYNOPSIS: On March 6, 1968, Maj. William H. Seward, pilot and LtCol. Robert Lopez, passenger, were aboard a US Marine Corps CH46A helicopter (tail # 151909 call sign Yankee Whiskey 17) as lead aircraft in a flight of 2 in company with several other support aircraft on an insertion mission in South Vietnam. Also on board Seward's helicopter were an unknown number of indigenous personnel working with the Special Forces team. While hovering above an 80 foot canopy to insert a the reconnaissance team, the aircraft received moderate small arms fire and began settling. The aircraft continued its descent until the rotor blades struck the trees and the aircraft twisted and fell, coming to rest on the right side in a nose low attitude. Following the crash of the helicopter, both Seward and the co-pilot were helplessly trapped in the twisted wreckage of the cockpit. The personnel who were able to get out of the burning aircraft succeeded in freeing the co-pilot. Maj. Seward was unconscious and trapped in the opposite side of the cockpit. Every effort to free him failed. LtCol. Lopez appeared to be trapped between the aircraft and the ground, and efforts to free him were useless. Once flames reached the cockpit and ammunition began exploding, the men were forced to abandon rescue efforts. Within 30 seconds, the aircraft exploded and was completely consumed by fire. A short while later, the survivors were extracted by rescue helicopters and evacuated. A recovery team entered the crash area about 2 hours later. The remains of one passenger, believed to be those of Lopez were found, but were charred beyond recognition, and it was decided not to attempt recovery. Other remains were apparently destroyed by fire and explosion. The other men reported missing were indigenous, names unknown.