Sergeant Patrick Joseph Ronan
281ST AHC, 10TH CAB, 17TH CAG, 1 AVN BDE
Army of the United States
02 September 1948 - 18 February 1969
Philadelphia, PA
Patrick J. Ronan is on
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Sergeant
Patrick Joseph Ronan
PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date of birth:Thursday, 09/02/1948
MILITARY DATA
Service:Army(Regular)
Grade at loss:E4
Rank: Sergeant
ID No:11860000
MOS:67N2F UH-1 Helicopter Repairer (Flight)
LenSvc: Between 2 and 3 years
Unit: 281ST AHC, 10TH CAB, 17TH CAG, 1 AVN BDE
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Tuesday, 09/12/1967
Cas Date: Tuesday, 02/18/1969
Age at Loss:20
Remains:Body Recovered
Location: Phu Yen, South Vietnam
Type: Non-hostile, Died Of Other Causes
Reason: Air Loss, Crash - Land - Helicopter - Crew
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On 18 February
1969, a UH-1 of the 281st AHC crashed in a hostile area about 25
miles southwest of Tuy Hoa Air Base, SVN. Five persons were reported
trapped in- side the aircraft wreckage. An HH-43 of the 38th ARRS
(USAF) reached the scene and lowered Sergeant Michael E. Fish and a
firefighter to the ground. Despite sporadic enemy fire, three of the
trapped survivors were quickly freed and hoisted aboard the HH-43.
Another survivor and a deceased soldier were picked up by an Army
UH-1. With night approaching and one injured man still trapped in
the wreckage, the rescue aircraft were forced to leave the area.
Sergeant Fish remained with the injured man overnight. Early on 19
February the task force returned, en- countering small arms fire.
The trapped survivor was freed and both he and Fish were evacuated
from the area. SGT Fish was awarded the Air Force Cross. SGT Patrick
Ronan, crew chief on the downed UH-1, was the only person who died
in the crash and subsequent rescue effort.
Adapted from the
VHPA site
Then-WO1 Steve Matthews, a pilot with the
281st, recollects "being in the unit sup-
ly room when the platoon leader was sorting through Patrick's
belongings (his issue flight gear and 'personal' items) to pack them
up to send them home. It was a solemn task and one which was done
with sincere regret for the loss of a brave man, and a loved family
member I'm sure. I was secretly glad I didn't have the task, because
there is nothing worse than trying to explain the loss of a loved
one to his family, but I know the platoon leader was taking the
responsibility very seriously. I also remember the whole unit (even
if briefly) mourned the loss of a comrade."
From the
281st AHC site
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