24 Jul 2005 I did not know Wayne personally, but I was in the ship's Air Control Tower the night the helo went down. I witnessed the events leading to his death and I took part in the investigation of the crash. Wayne, you are not forgotten! Until we meet together in heaven Be at peace, my shipmate. Steve V-1 Division, USS BENNINGTON (CVS-20) 1964-1967 Gulf of Tonkin Steven Jacobson, ABHAN US Navy sjacobso@bmi.net

 

08 Dec 2005 I've been wearing Wayne's POW/MIA bracelet for about 5 years now. I've tried to contact someone who knew him, so I can find out more about this great man. Thank you for your service! (M)Sgt Mark A. Eaker, USAF mark.eaker@elmendorf.af.mil

 

10 Jan 2006 What a surprise to find this site regarding my nephew Wayne. It's hard to believe that it's been 39 years since we were informed of the accident. From his uncle, James Schierholz schierholz1@yahoo.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Redondo Man Hurt In Copter Crash A Redondo Beach, California man was among three Navy men injured when a SH3A helicopter from the USS BENNINGTON CVS-20 went down in the Gulf of Tonkin off North Vietnam, the Navy announced today. Two men are reported missing. The pilot, Lt(jg) Charles Stella, of Gonzales, Texas, and Petty Officer 2nd class Roberto B. Reed, of Houston, each suffered a broken leg in the Thursday night crash. Lt(jg) Finkenhagen of Redondo Beach, the co-pilot, suffered a broken arm and leg, the Navy said. The three were picked up by choppers from the BENNINGTON. Cause of the crash of the anti-submarine warfare helicopter is being investigated, the Navy said. From an unidentified news article dated January 14th, 1967 Provided to the USS BENNINGTON site by Joe Pires, former SK3 aboard BENNINGTON Two men of Anti-Submarine Helicopter Squadron 8 died when SH-3A BuNo 149909 crashed at sea: AX3 Clayton C. Kemp, Wheatridge, CO AX3 Wayne C. Reinecke, Milwaukie, OR As with most losses at sea their bodies could not be recovered.

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