| Capt Eldon Ideus Statement |
1st Calvary Division (Airmobile), 15th Medical Battalion, Air Ambulance Platoon
Med-Evac Mission on 17 December 1966
Statement by Captain Eldon Ideus, Aircraft Commander
Medical evacuation of thirty (30) wounded in action (WIA )from elements of the 1st Brigade (BDE),
four (4) aircraft crewmen and five (5) passengers, one (1) killed in action (KIA), one (1)Vietnamese,
and one (1) Viet Cong (VC) on 17 December 1966.
A mission request for aerial medical evacuation of an unknown number of wounded in action (WIA)
casualties from the element of C1/8 Cavalry (CAV), was received by Medical- Evacuation (Med-
Evac) Alpha during mid-afternoon.
Med-Evac aircraft #370, with a crew consisting of aircraft commander, Eldon Ideus, pilot Warrant
Officer Larry Hatch, medic SP5 Van Camp, crew chief SP4 Eck, and door gunner SP4 Leuche was
dispatched to the area. Enroute, contact was made with C1/12 CAV and was informed that there
was negative enemy contact at the time and that the last enemy fire was received from the North of
their position. The ground unit ignited a smoke grenade which the Med-Evac aircraft pilots
identified the color of smoke and then proceeded to the area to evacuate four (4) WIA casualties.
While on the ground, a sergeant came to the aircraft and further informed the aircraft commander of
the enemy situation and also asked him to contact A1/12 CAV on lift-off because they had another
mission request. After the four (4) casualties were aboard, they departed and contacted A1/12 CAV
who requested the evacuation of two (2) seriously wounded soldiers. Med-Evac aircraft #370 flew
across the Suei Cay Valley toward their position and spotted the small landing zone (LZ). The
aircraft commander informed the ground unit that the LZ was too small for his aircraft to land with
the present load of personnel onboard and would call another Med-Evac for the mission. The
ground unit told him that the wounded were in very serious condition and couldn’t wait long. They
also asked him to try the evacuation now rather than wait for another Med-Evac aircraft. The
aircraft commander decided that he would make an attempt to evacuate the two (2) casualties. The
ground unit reported sporadic enemy gun fire in the LZ but that no fire was being received at the
present time.
The aircraft commander hovered his aircraft over the area and descended vertically down through
40 foot high palm trees and landed in the LZ. The aircraft’s medic jumped from the aircraft and
loaded the two (2) casualties with the assistance of one of the ground troops. The aircraft’s door
gunner and crew chief were poised to provide suppressive fire from their door mounted .30 caliber
machine guns if required. The aircraft came under enemy fire just as the last wounded solider was
being loaded. The aircraft commander was hovering the aircraft vertically out of the LZ when the
medic informed him that the ground troops who had assisted in loading the wounded were taking
enemy fire and were wounded themselves. The aircraft commander contacted Med-Evac #577 and
informed them of the situation.
Returning to LZ Hammond, the wounded were unloaded at Alpha medical company clearing
hospital. Med-Evac #370 departed LZ Hammond to respond to another request for evacuation of
two (2) Viet Cong (VCs) from a unit near the coast. Enroute to the location, a mayday call was
received that Med-Evac #577 had been shot down and needed assistance. The aircraft
commander cancelled the evacuation of the two (2) VCs and headed for the location of the downed
aircraft. Enroute, he contacted Alpha at LZ Hammond to send another Med-Evac aircraft to assist.
Med-Evac #370 arrived at the location, landed and loaded up the four (4) downed aircraft crew plus
the five (5) wounded they had on-board. Med-Evac #791 who was enroute was informed that
everyone from the downed aircraft had been evacuated and that their assistance was required to
evacuate wounded from A1/12 and C1/12 CAV. They were also informed to be aware of the enemy
gun fire #370 had encountered earlier. Med-Evac #370 returned to LZ Hammond and off-loaded
their wounded. The aircraft was re-fueled and departed for the Suei Cay Valley. Enroute, they
received a radio call from Med-Evac #791 stating that they had received heavy automatic weapons
fire while attempting to pick-up wounded from C1/12 CAV and two (2) of their crew members had
been wounded. Med-Evac #370 contacted C1/12 CAV and asked what their present situation was.
They were informed that they were receiving heavy automatic weapons fire and there were at least
eight (8) wounded troops to be evacuated. The aircraft commander decided to request gunship
support before attempting the evacuation. Learning that no gunship support was available, the
aircraft commander informed his crew and asked if they were ready to make the evacuation without
gunship support and they responded “Sir, we’re with you, lets go”.
In order to not give the enemy his exact location or his intentions, the aircraft commander decided to
not have the ground unit use smoke for LZ location/identification but rather make a high speed, low
level pass for visual identification of the LZ. Knowing the approximate location, another low pass
was made and the American ground unit was spotted. While making another pass, the ground unit
informed Med-Evac #370 that they had flown directly over the enemy position and that enemy fire
was coming from the East and North of their location. The aircraft commander flew at tree top level
making his approach to the LZ. Once on the ground, the medic jumped out of the aircraft with three
litters and ran towards the wounded soldiers. While the wounded were being loaded on the aircraft,
the door gunner informed the aircraft commander that he had observed an enemy position but
couldn’t fire because of friendly ground troops in the line of fire. Shortly after this observation, the
door gunner reported incoming enemy fire hitting the ground towards and near the aircraft. As the
next wounded soldier was being loaded on-board, the aircraft commander decided to depart the LZ
and return to evacuate the remaining wounded after dropping off the wounded soldiers at LZ
Hammond. As the aircraft was departing, the door gunner observed the enemy position on the
ground and placed suppressive machine gun fire on the enemy. Med-Evac #370 contacted Med-
Evac #916 which had been dispatched from LZ Golf Course to help and was informed of the current
situation and that the ground unit still had wounded soldiers for evacuation.
Med-Evac #370 returned to the Suei Cay Valley and orbited the valley but was unable to make
contact with the ground forces. The aircraft commander was able to contact C1/12 CAV and asked
them to contact A1/12 CAV ground unit and have them contact Med-Evac #916, who was flying in
the area, on the Med-Evac radio frequency and they would assist in the evacuation. Med-Evac
#370 then returned to C1/12 CAV’s position just as darkness was setting in. As the aircraft landed,
the medic once again jumped out of the aircraft and ran towards the wounded troops while the
ground unit provided suppressive gun fire. The wounded were loaded in the aircraft without
receiving any enemy gun fire. As the aircraft was departing the LZ, they received a Med-Evac
evacuation request from C1/8 CAV of an unknown number of causalities. Beings Med-Evac #370
already had an aircraft full of wounded causalities, the aircraft commander informed the ground unit
that he would return right after dropping off the wounded at LZ Hammond.
While crossing the pass enroute to the Suei Cay Valley, Med Evac #370 was spotted by the C1/8
CAV ground unit and informed the aircraft commander that the last enemy fire that had been
received was about 100 meters to the North of their position. They informed Med- Evac #370 that
they would use a flash light rather than a ground flare to mark their location due to the close
proximity of the enemy. They would turn on the flashlight after they had vectored the aircraft on final
approach to the LZ. The first attempt was unsuccessful and the ground unit informed the aircraft
commander that the aircraft had passed over their position and they were directly over the enemy
ground trenches and to immediately break to the right to avoid enemy fire. Just as the aircraft
turned right, it came under heavy enemy gun fire but were able to fly out of harms way. The second
approach to the LZ was successful. Once on the ground, the medic quickly loaded the causalities
while the ground unit provided suppressive fire. The ground unit informed the aircraft commander to
turn 180 degrees and depart back in the direction of the aircraft’s approach to the LZ to avoid the
enemy’s gun fire. While returning to LZ Hammond to off load the wounded, B1/12 CAV requested
an evacuation of eight (8) wounded causalities.
After re-fueling, Med-Evac #370 immediately returned to the Suei Cay Valley and contacted the
B1/12 CAV ground unit. The ground unit said they would identify their location with two flashlights,
one red and one white. Spotting the LZ, Med-Evac #370 began their approach to landing but the
ground unit radioed “Med-Eva, get out of here, we’re under heavy enemy fire”. Breaking off the
approach, the aircraft received heavy automatic weapons fire but was able to gain altitude and orbit
the area waiting for the enemy fire to be suppressed by the ground unit. While orbiting the area,
Med-Evac #370 was contacted by C1/8 CAV unit that they needed additional causalities evacuated.
The aircraft commander informed C1/8 CAV unit that he would make the B1/12 CAV unit evacuation
first and then return for their evacuation. After suppressing the enemies fire, B1/12 CAV unit again
requested evacuation of their wounded causalities and a successful evacuation was made on the
second attempt.
A second Med-Evac aircraft, #866, had been dispatched from LZ Golf Course to assist because
Med-Evac #916 had taken enemy gun fire hits while evacuating causalities from A1/12 CAV unit and
had to abort their mission. Med-Evac #370 informed Med-Evac # 866 that B1/12 CAV unit was
under heavy enemy gun fire at the present time and but was still requesting Med-Evac evacuation.
Both Med-Evac #370 and #866 flew to the Suei Cay Valley and made contact with C1/12 CAV unit
and were informed that they were still under heavy enemy fire and requested they orbit the area
until and wait. The Med-Evac aircraft orbited the area for about 30 minutes when the ground unit
informed them that they were receiving sporadic enemy gun fire and that they would provide
suppressive fire with M-79 grenade launchers if they wanted to attempt an evacuation. Med-Evac
#370 aircraft commander told the ground unit that he would make the first evacuation and make a
fast approach beings he had been in the LZ earlier and knew the terrain and #866 would follow. As
Med-Evac #370 turned to final approach, the ground unit started their suppressive fire. The aircraft
landed and the medic quickly loaded aboard six (6) causalities. The ground unit continued
providing suppressive ground fire through out the evacuation. As Med-Evac #370 departed the LZ,
Med-Evac #866 flew in and made a successful evacuation. As Med-Evac #370 was flying out of
the Suei Cay Valley, a Med-Evac request was received from B1/12 CAV unit. Med-Evac #370
informed the unit that Med-Evac #866 was picking up causalities from B1/2 CAV and had room for
some their causalities and that he would return for the remainder.
After unloading the causalities and re-fueling at LZ Hammond, Med-Evac # 370 once again returned
to the Suei Cay Valley and contacted B1/8 CAV who informed him that the LZ was secure and there
were two (2) wounded and one (1) killed in action (KIA) to evacuate.
The causalities were evacuated without incident and Med-Evac #370 returned to LZ Hammond.
The flight crew of Med-Evac #370 had logged 7.6 hours flight hours evacuating thirty (30) wounded
causalities, the four-man (4) crew of downed Med-Evac #577 and its five (5) wounded passengers,
one (1) KIA, one (1) Vietnamese, and one (1) Viet Cong (VC).
This happened to be the first day in combat for pilot Warrant Officer Larry Hatch.
CPT Eldon Ideus
Aircraft Commander
15th Medical Battalion
Air Ambulance Platoon
Med-Evac Mission on 17 December 1966
Statement by Captain Eldon Ideus, Aircraft Commander
Medical evacuation of thirty (30) wounded in action (WIA )from elements of the 1st Brigade (BDE),
four (4) aircraft crewmen and five (5) passengers, one (1) killed in action (KIA), one (1)Vietnamese,
and one (1) Viet Cong (VC) on 17 December 1966.
A mission request for aerial medical evacuation of an unknown number of wounded in action (WIA)
casualties from the element of C1/8 Cavalry (CAV), was received by Medical- Evacuation (Med-
Evac) Alpha during mid-afternoon.
Med-Evac aircraft #370, with a crew consisting of aircraft commander, Eldon Ideus, pilot Warrant
Officer Larry Hatch, medic SP5 Van Camp, crew chief SP4 Eck, and door gunner SP4 Leuche was
dispatched to the area. Enroute, contact was made with C1/12 CAV and was informed that there
was negative enemy contact at the time and that the last enemy fire was received from the North of
their position. The ground unit ignited a smoke grenade which the Med-Evac aircraft pilots
identified the color of smoke and then proceeded to the area to evacuate four (4) WIA casualties.
While on the ground, a sergeant came to the aircraft and further informed the aircraft commander of
the enemy situation and also asked him to contact A1/12 CAV on lift-off because they had another
mission request. After the four (4) casualties were aboard, they departed and contacted A1/12 CAV
who requested the evacuation of two (2) seriously wounded soldiers. Med-Evac aircraft #370 flew
across the Suei Cay Valley toward their position and spotted the small landing zone (LZ). The
aircraft commander informed the ground unit that the LZ was too small for his aircraft to land with
the present load of personnel onboard and would call another Med-Evac for the mission. The
ground unit told him that the wounded were in very serious condition and couldn’t wait long. They
also asked him to try the evacuation now rather than wait for another Med-Evac aircraft. The
aircraft commander decided that he would make an attempt to evacuate the two (2) casualties. The
ground unit reported sporadic enemy gun fire in the LZ but that no fire was being received at the
present time.
The aircraft commander hovered his aircraft over the area and descended vertically down through
40 foot high palm trees and landed in the LZ. The aircraft’s medic jumped from the aircraft and
loaded the two (2) casualties with the assistance of one of the ground troops. The aircraft’s door
gunner and crew chief were poised to provide suppressive fire from their door mounted .30 caliber
machine guns if required. The aircraft came under enemy fire just as the last wounded solider was
being loaded. The aircraft commander was hovering the aircraft vertically out of the LZ when the
medic informed him that the ground troops who had assisted in loading the wounded were taking
enemy fire and were wounded themselves. The aircraft commander contacted Med-Evac #577 and
informed them of the situation.
Returning to LZ Hammond, the wounded were unloaded at Alpha medical company clearing
hospital. Med-Evac #370 departed LZ Hammond to respond to another request for evacuation of
two (2) Viet Cong (VCs) from a unit near the coast. Enroute to the location, a mayday call was
received that Med-Evac #577 had been shot down and needed assistance. The aircraft
commander cancelled the evacuation of the two (2) VCs and headed for the location of the downed
aircraft. Enroute, he contacted Alpha at LZ Hammond to send another Med-Evac aircraft to assist.
Med-Evac #370 arrived at the location, landed and loaded up the four (4) downed aircraft crew plus
the five (5) wounded they had on-board. Med-Evac #791 who was enroute was informed that
everyone from the downed aircraft had been evacuated and that their assistance was required to
evacuate wounded from A1/12 and C1/12 CAV. They were also informed to be aware of the enemy
gun fire #370 had encountered earlier. Med-Evac #370 returned to LZ Hammond and off-loaded
their wounded. The aircraft was re-fueled and departed for the Suei Cay Valley. Enroute, they
received a radio call from Med-Evac #791 stating that they had received heavy automatic weapons
fire while attempting to pick-up wounded from C1/12 CAV and two (2) of their crew members had
been wounded. Med-Evac #370 contacted C1/12 CAV and asked what their present situation was.
They were informed that they were receiving heavy automatic weapons fire and there were at least
eight (8) wounded troops to be evacuated. The aircraft commander decided to request gunship
support before attempting the evacuation. Learning that no gunship support was available, the
aircraft commander informed his crew and asked if they were ready to make the evacuation without
gunship support and they responded “Sir, we’re with you, lets go”.
In order to not give the enemy his exact location or his intentions, the aircraft commander decided to
not have the ground unit use smoke for LZ location/identification but rather make a high speed, low
level pass for visual identification of the LZ. Knowing the approximate location, another low pass
was made and the American ground unit was spotted. While making another pass, the ground unit
informed Med-Evac #370 that they had flown directly over the enemy position and that enemy fire
was coming from the East and North of their location. The aircraft commander flew at tree top level
making his approach to the LZ. Once on the ground, the medic jumped out of the aircraft with three
litters and ran towards the wounded soldiers. While the wounded were being loaded on the aircraft,
the door gunner informed the aircraft commander that he had observed an enemy position but
couldn’t fire because of friendly ground troops in the line of fire. Shortly after this observation, the
door gunner reported incoming enemy fire hitting the ground towards and near the aircraft. As the
next wounded soldier was being loaded on-board, the aircraft commander decided to depart the LZ
and return to evacuate the remaining wounded after dropping off the wounded soldiers at LZ
Hammond. As the aircraft was departing, the door gunner observed the enemy position on the
ground and placed suppressive machine gun fire on the enemy. Med-Evac #370 contacted Med-
Evac #916 which had been dispatched from LZ Golf Course to help and was informed of the current
situation and that the ground unit still had wounded soldiers for evacuation.
Med-Evac #370 returned to the Suei Cay Valley and orbited the valley but was unable to make
contact with the ground forces. The aircraft commander was able to contact C1/12 CAV and asked
them to contact A1/12 CAV ground unit and have them contact Med-Evac #916, who was flying in
the area, on the Med-Evac radio frequency and they would assist in the evacuation. Med-Evac
#370 then returned to C1/12 CAV’s position just as darkness was setting in. As the aircraft landed,
the medic once again jumped out of the aircraft and ran towards the wounded troops while the
ground unit provided suppressive gun fire. The wounded were loaded in the aircraft without
receiving any enemy gun fire. As the aircraft was departing the LZ, they received a Med-Evac
evacuation request from C1/8 CAV of an unknown number of causalities. Beings Med-Evac #370
already had an aircraft full of wounded causalities, the aircraft commander informed the ground unit
that he would return right after dropping off the wounded at LZ Hammond.
While crossing the pass enroute to the Suei Cay Valley, Med Evac #370 was spotted by the C1/8
CAV ground unit and informed the aircraft commander that the last enemy fire that had been
received was about 100 meters to the North of their position. They informed Med- Evac #370 that
they would use a flash light rather than a ground flare to mark their location due to the close
proximity of the enemy. They would turn on the flashlight after they had vectored the aircraft on final
approach to the LZ. The first attempt was unsuccessful and the ground unit informed the aircraft
commander that the aircraft had passed over their position and they were directly over the enemy
ground trenches and to immediately break to the right to avoid enemy fire. Just as the aircraft
turned right, it came under heavy enemy gun fire but were able to fly out of harms way. The second
approach to the LZ was successful. Once on the ground, the medic quickly loaded the causalities
while the ground unit provided suppressive fire. The ground unit informed the aircraft commander to
turn 180 degrees and depart back in the direction of the aircraft’s approach to the LZ to avoid the
enemy’s gun fire. While returning to LZ Hammond to off load the wounded, B1/12 CAV requested
an evacuation of eight (8) wounded causalities.
After re-fueling, Med-Evac #370 immediately returned to the Suei Cay Valley and contacted the
B1/12 CAV ground unit. The ground unit said they would identify their location with two flashlights,
one red and one white. Spotting the LZ, Med-Evac #370 began their approach to landing but the
ground unit radioed “Med-Eva, get out of here, we’re under heavy enemy fire”. Breaking off the
approach, the aircraft received heavy automatic weapons fire but was able to gain altitude and orbit
the area waiting for the enemy fire to be suppressed by the ground unit. While orbiting the area,
Med-Evac #370 was contacted by C1/8 CAV unit that they needed additional causalities evacuated.
The aircraft commander informed C1/8 CAV unit that he would make the B1/12 CAV unit evacuation
first and then return for their evacuation. After suppressing the enemies fire, B1/12 CAV unit again
requested evacuation of their wounded causalities and a successful evacuation was made on the
second attempt.
A second Med-Evac aircraft, #866, had been dispatched from LZ Golf Course to assist because
Med-Evac #916 had taken enemy gun fire hits while evacuating causalities from A1/12 CAV unit and
had to abort their mission. Med-Evac #370 informed Med-Evac # 866 that B1/12 CAV unit was
under heavy enemy gun fire at the present time and but was still requesting Med-Evac evacuation.
Both Med-Evac #370 and #866 flew to the Suei Cay Valley and made contact with C1/12 CAV unit
and were informed that they were still under heavy enemy fire and requested they orbit the area
until and wait. The Med-Evac aircraft orbited the area for about 30 minutes when the ground unit
informed them that they were receiving sporadic enemy gun fire and that they would provide
suppressive fire with M-79 grenade launchers if they wanted to attempt an evacuation. Med-Evac
#370 aircraft commander told the ground unit that he would make the first evacuation and make a
fast approach beings he had been in the LZ earlier and knew the terrain and #866 would follow. As
Med-Evac #370 turned to final approach, the ground unit started their suppressive fire. The aircraft
landed and the medic quickly loaded aboard six (6) causalities. The ground unit continued
providing suppressive ground fire through out the evacuation. As Med-Evac #370 departed the LZ,
Med-Evac #866 flew in and made a successful evacuation. As Med-Evac #370 was flying out of
the Suei Cay Valley, a Med-Evac request was received from B1/12 CAV unit. Med-Evac #370
informed the unit that Med-Evac #866 was picking up causalities from B1/2 CAV and had room for
some their causalities and that he would return for the remainder.
After unloading the causalities and re-fueling at LZ Hammond, Med-Evac # 370 once again returned
to the Suei Cay Valley and contacted B1/8 CAV who informed him that the LZ was secure and there
were two (2) wounded and one (1) killed in action (KIA) to evacuate.
The causalities were evacuated without incident and Med-Evac #370 returned to LZ Hammond.
The flight crew of Med-Evac #370 had logged 7.6 hours flight hours evacuating thirty (30) wounded
causalities, the four-man (4) crew of downed Med-Evac #577 and its five (5) wounded passengers,
one (1) KIA, one (1) Vietnamese, and one (1) Viet Cong (VC).
This happened to be the first day in combat for pilot Warrant Officer Larry Hatch.
CPT Eldon Ideus
Aircraft Commander
15th Medical Battalion
Air Ambulance Platoon
