CH-53 / HH-53 Roster - SEA 1967 - 1975

1 Jan 99

The following serial numbers have been developed from research of 37/40ARRS unit histories, SEA aircraft loss records, and accounts of Air Force Cross and Medal of Honor actions in SEA. If you have information relevant to this list please contact:

Ron Thurlow
2689 Richmar Dr.
Beavercreek, OH 45434

Email:  tlow52@hotmail.com

Thank you.

Serial Number Call Sign Comments / Aircraft Disposition if Known
66-14430* JG 67 CH-53 - Combat loss 18 Jan 69 (Darghty) 9 nm SE Tchephone
66-14434* JG 71 Combat loss 28 Jan 70, downed by MiG-21 during SAR in Laos (Bell)
67-0331* Unk Combat loss 31 Mar 67
68-8283* JG Used by Shaneberg during AFC msn 30 Jun 70, combat loss that day
68-8284 JG 55 Active SEA May 71 - Jan 72
68-8285* JG 54 Flew Son Tay msn, 21 Nov 70, crashed in Laos 21 Jul 72 (Bennett)
68-8286 JG 56 Used by Donohue during AFC msn to Son Tay, 21 Nov 70
68-10357 JG 57 Used by Britton during AFC msn to Son Tay, 21 Nov 70
68-10358 JG 60 Active SEA May 71 - Jan 72
68-10359* JG 61 Used on Son Tay msn 21 Nov 70, combat lost 27 Mar 72(Pannabecker)
68-10360 JG 20 Active SEA May 70 - Sep 71
68-10361* JG 21 Used by Allison during AFC msn to Son Tay 21 Nov 71, dest 18Aug72
68-10362* JG 64 Dmgd Danang rkt attk 18 Aug 72, loss 14 Jun 73 at Tonle Sap (Rovito)
68-10363 JG 65 Active SEA Oct 71 - Jul 72, btle damge 3 Apr 72, Dmgd rkt 18Aug72
68-10364 JG 66 Used by Backlund during AFC msn at Koh Tang Island, 15 May 75
68-10365* JG 67 Shot down during BAT 21 SAR 6 Apr 72 (Chapman)
68-10366* JG 70 Combat loss 25 Nov 71 (Swenck) at Song Na River
68-10925* Knife 31 Used by Harston during AFC msn Koh Tang, 15 May 75, shot down
68-10926* Knife 21 Shot down at Koh Tang Island, 15 May 75
68-10927* Knife 51 Used by Brims during AFC msn at Koh Tang, 15 May 75, crashed Ger
68-10928 Knife 22 Damaged at Koh Tang Island, landed on beach in Thailand, 15 May 75
68-10932 Knife 32 Damaged at Koh Tang Island, 15 May 75
69-5784 JG 71 Used by Mudd for 1971 Aviator Valor Award event, 6 Mar 71
69-5785 JG 63 / 77 Active SEA May 70 - Nov 72, Flew in Mayaguez Incident, May 75 **
69-5786 JG 30 Used by Stovall during AFC msn 2 Jun 72, Flew in Mayaguez Incident
69-5787 JG 72 Lead ship, first TransPac helo flight, Aug 70
69-5788* JG 73 / 01 First TransPac helo flt, Aug 70, McGrath AFC 27Jun72, lost 27 Dec 72
69-5792 JG 31 / 62 Used by Purser during AFC msn at Koh Tang Island, 15 May 75 *
69-5793 JG 32 Used by Orrell during AFC msn 13 Apr 72, Flew in Mayaguez Incident
69-5794 JG 52 Active SEA May 71 - Jan 72, Flew in Mayaguez Incident, May 75
69-5795 JG 53 Active SEA May 71 - Nov 72, Flew in Mayaguez Incident, May 75
70-1626 Knife 52 Damaged at Koh Tang Island, 15 May 75
70-1627* Knife 23 Shot down at Koh Tang Island, 15 May 75
xxx   JG 01, 03, 10, 19, 22, 50, 59 - active in SEA, but associated aircraft are unknown

* Aircraft lost - either in combat action or operational accident

* Historical documents show acft 792 being both JG 31 and JG 62. In the 1971 time frame it was JG 31. In 1975 it was JG 62. Acft 792 flew as JG 43 in the Maraguez Incident.

** Historical documents show acft 785 being both JG 63 and JG 77. In the 1970 time frame, it was JG 77. In 1975 it was JG 63. Acft 785 flew as JG 42 in the Mayaguez Incident.

 

CH-53 and HH-53 assigned serial numbers:
66-14428 thru 14435 (8) HH-53B
67-14993 thru 14996 (4) HH-53C
67-14997 thru 14999 (3) HH-53C
68-8283 thru 8286 (4) HH-53C
68-10354 thru 10369 (16) HH-53C
68-10922 thru 10933 (12) CH-53C
69-5784 thru 5797 (14) HH-53C
70-1625 thru 1632 (8) CH-53C
73-1647 thru 1652 (6) HH-53C

 

Following CH-53 / HH-53 callsigns / tail numbers from photograph (see above) of unit scheduling board - end of day, 15 May 75, concerning status of aircraft following action at Koh Tang Island, Cambodia
JG 11 364 Shot-up?, at U-T K 21 926 Lost - in water at Koh Tang
JG 12 793 Shot-up, on USS Coral Sea K 22 928 Down, on beach in Thailand
JG 13 794 Shot-up, at U-T K 23 627 Lost - on beach at Koh Tang
JG 14 784 O.R. at U-T K 31 925 Lost - in water at Koh Tang
JG 41 795 Shot-up, at U-T K 32 932 Shot-up, at U-T
JG 42 785 Shot-up, at U-T K 51 927 Shot-up, at U-T
JG 43 792 Shot-up, at U-T K 52 626 Down, 10 miles east Rayong
JG 44 786 Shot-up? No - at U-T      

Records show following HH-53Cs used by 40ARRS in SEA Jun 71 - Jul 72:
284, 285, 286, 357, 358, 359, 361, 785, 786, 788, 792, 793, 794, 795

- JG 65 - c/s of 68-10365 (Chapman), lost on 6 Apr 72 during BAT 21 rescue attempt
- JG 01 - c/s of 69-5788 (Shapiro), dest in Laos 27 Dec 72 after p/u attempt for Jackel 33B near Hanoi
- JG 03 - c/s for HH-53 (Gillespie) which made pickup during Arnie Clark AFC msn 18 Nov 72
- JG 32 - c/s of 69-5793 (Shipman) which made first night combat rescue (Spectre 17) on 21 Dec 72


Return to the Helicopter Research Page