Notes from The Virtual Wall
On 15 March 1964, four men died when their UH-1B HUEY (hull number 62-01963) was shot down:
- CPT Roger Edward Gauvin, pilot, 114th Aviation Company
- 1LT Kenneth Arthur Shannon, copilot, 114th Aviation Company
- SP5 Carleton Webster Upton, crew chief, 114th Aviation Company
- PFC Frank John Holguin, gunner, 560th MP Company
The 560th MP Company and what eventually became the 114th Assault Helicopter Company were amongst the first US units to arrive in Vietnam - and amongst the last to leave.
The 560th MP Co arrived in-country on 12 Sep 1962 and served in Vietnam for 3,850 days, departing on 28 March 1973. During that time the 560th served in every part of Vietnam. In late 1963 the Commanding General, Army Support Command Vietnam, asked the MPs to volunteer to fly as gunners with the helicopter companies then arriving in Vietnam - and almost all did so. Two MPs were killed while doing door gunner duty, PFC John Shea on 09 March 1964 and PFC Frank Holguin a week later on 15 March. Both were flying with the 114th Aviation Company.
The 114th Air Mobile Company arrived at Vinh Long, South Vietnam, on 10 May 1963. In 1964, it was redesignated as the 114th Aviation Company, a component of the 13th Aviation Battalion. In June 1966 it was redesignated 114th Assault Helicopter Company, 13th Avn Bn, 1st Avn Bde. In 1969 the 114th was reassigned to the 214th Avn Bn, 1st Avn Bde. On 29 Feb 1972, after 3,217 days of combat operations, the 114th AHC departed Vinh Long.
PFC Frank J Holguin
and the other men who died in service with the 114th AHC
are remembered on the
114th AHC Memorial
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