INCIDENT

A Note from The Virtual Wall

In the spring of 1970, the South Vietnamese Army staged an invasion of Laos with the stated intention of disrupting the Ho Chi Minh Trail resupply line to the point that the North Vietnamese Army would be unable to sustain operations within South Vietnam. The invasion was supported by US air power, to include helicopter airlift and fixed-wing air support.

As noted above, on 08 March 1970 four UH-1H aircraft of the 155th Assault Helicopter Company were tasked with moving ARVN troops from Ban Me Thout East to Duc Lap. The flight departed at approximately 0800 hours with UH-1H tail number 68-15540 in the lead carrying

1LT Jacob L. Kinser, Hasty, CO, pilot;

WO David K. Erenstoft, Clarence, NY, copilot;

SP5 William R. Rogne, Fallon, NV, crew chief;

SP4 Wim Goeree, Woodacre, CA, gunner; and

six ARVN soldiers.

Marginal weather was encountered near the destination and the flight lead directed additional separation for safety reasons. Communications were maintained between aircraft and the last word received from lead was a transmission by 1LT Kinser that he was making a left 180 turn. 540 did not make it to Duc Lap, and its wreckage was found by the other UH-1s while they were returning from Duc Lap. Nine of the ten men aboard died in the crash; a single Vietnamese soldier survived.

Wim Goeree,
Specialist 4, United States Army,
was buried on 17 March 1970 in Plot N 1411,
Golden Gate National Cemetery,
San Bruno, California,
among other men of courage and integrity.

ON 8 MARCH 1970, ARMY AIRCRAFT, UH-1H SN: 68-15540 ASSIGNED TO THE 155TH AVN CO (AH) DEPARTED BAN ME THOUT EAST AT APPROXIMATELY 0800 HOURS ENROUTE TO DUC LAP WITH A LEAD OF ARVN PASSENGERS. 540 WAS LEAD SHIP IN A FLIGHT OF FOUR AIRCRAFT. MARGINAL WEATHER WAS ENCOUNTERED NEAR THEIR DESTINATION AND THE FLIGHT TOOK UP ADDITIONAL SEPARATION FOR SAFETY REASONS. COMMUNICATIONS WAS MAINTAINED BETWEEN AIRCRAFT AND THE LAST WORD RECEIVED FROM THE LEAD AIRCRAFT WAS A TRANSMISSION BY LT KINSER THAT HE WAS MAKING A LEFT 180 TURN. THE WRECKAGE OF 540 WAS FOUND BY THE OTHER SHIPS WHEN RETURNING FROM DUC LAP.

Wim Goeree
Specialist Four 155TH AHC, 52ND AVN BN, 17TH AVN GRP,
1 AVN BDE Army of the United States 29 June 1951 - 08 March 1970 Woodacre, CA Panel 13W Line 096

June 29, 1951 - March 8, 1970

He gave his life for Freedom

Click Here for more Pictures

Click Here for the story of how he and the rest of his
helicopter crew perished.

Bronze Star for Bravery

Purple Heart

Many More...

6 medals from South Vietnam

WIM GOEREE was born on June 29, 1951

and joined the Armed Forces

while in WOODACRE, CA.

MOS 67A1F in the Army. In 1 year of service,

he attained the rank of SP4/E4.

On March 8, 1970, at the age of 18, WIM GOEREE perished

in the service of our country in South Vietnam, Quang Duc.

Dedicated to those who gave the
ultimate sacrifice and to all of those still serving

our country today

Wim is now resting in eternal peace at:

Golden Gate National Cemetery
San Bruno, San Mateo County, California

He will fear no more.