From: Mr. Bill Forsyth
EMail: work
Mission: Jolly Green 23 & Hellborne 215
Date: 9 June 1968
Aircraft: AF HH-3E & Marine A-4E
I request your assistance in locating the crash site of JOLLY GREEN 23, an HH-3E that was shot down on 9 June 1968 northwest of the Ashau Valley. JG23 was attempting to rescue HELLBORNE 215, a USMC A-4E piloted by 1Lt Walter R. Schmidt Jr., who had ejected from his aircraft and once on the ground reported he possibly had a broken hand and leg. After the survivor had popped smoke, JG22 made several attempts to rescue the downed airmen, but each time they received heavy ground fire and were forced to pull out. After SPAD’s and other aircraft in the area attempted to suppress the ground fire, JG23 went in to attempt a pickup, but was forced to abort their first attempt due to the ground fire. More suppressive fire was put in on the area and JG23 again attempted to rescue the pilot. On this attempt JG23 reported taking hits, then caught fire and moved to a small clearing and possibly attempted to land, but exploded when the helicopter reached the ground. There was no indications of survivors. Additional attempts were made to rescue the downed A-4E pilot, but his lifeless body was observed on the ground and it was felt it was being used as bait for a trap. The four crewmembers of JOLLY GREEN 23 and the A-4E pilot remain unaccounted for. The pilot of JG-23 was U.S. Coast Guard Pilot LTJG Jack C. Rittichier, who was participating in an exchange program, Lt Rittichier was the first Coast Guardsman killed in action is SEA and the only USCG unaccounted for from the war.
The record locations for both the A-4E and HH-3E are in Vietnam and Joint teams from JTF-FA have conducted several investigations of the case in the area, but have not located any villagers who know of crash sites in the area.
Reporting from the time of the incident suggests that both incidents probably occurred across the border, in Laos.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who participated in the rescue attempt who may be able to help me pinpoint the crash site location.
Mr. Bill Forsyth, GS-13
Laos and Cambodia POW/MIA
Analyst (J2211)
Joint POW/MIA Accounting
Command (JPAC)
310 Worchester Avenue
Bldg 45 (Trailer #10)
Hickam Air Force Base
Hawaii 96853-5530
Tel: 808-448-1814
DSN 315-448-1814
Fax: 808-448-1978
mailto:william.forsyth@ds.jpac.pacom.mil