This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Tommy Burgdorf (Birddog), FC2
to remember
Johnson, Robert Dennison, LCDR.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
LCDR Robert D. Johnson and ADJ1 Edward L Ott were assigned to Detachment 1, Light Helicopter Attack Squadron 3, onboard the USS GARRETT COUNTY (LST 786). On September 1, 1967, they were scrambled on a pre-dawn emergency launch to interdict Viet Cong forces attacking a friendly outpost. The UH-1H (tail number 63-08570) carried a four-man crew. The helicopter lifted off the deck of the USS GARRETT COUNTY and crashed into the Bassac River. When the survivors of the crash appeared on the river's surface, Johnson and Ott were not among them. An immediate search was initiated using River Patrol Boats and other helicopter search aircraft. The search lasted for several days and nights, however, the results were negative. The cockpit/cabin portion of the aircraft was located partially covered by mud, and debris was scattered over the river bottom. It was believed that the bodies of Ott and the pilot, Robert Johnson could not be recovered. Both were listed as Killed, Body Not Recovered.
Other Comments:
This Sailor has an (IMO) Memory Of Headstone in Courts of the Missing, Honolulu, Hawaii
Operation Game Warden
From Month/Year
December / 1965
To Month/Year
January / 1972
Description Operation Game Warden, Task force 116, was an operation to deny Viet Cong access to the resources in the Mekong Delta which was conceived of in December 1965. U.S. naval forces, backed by Marine artillery on the ground, launching a rapid surprise attack on the dozens of small Viet Cong ports which were scattered around the Delta. Unprepared in the face of intense U.S. firepower, which included U.S. F-4 Phantoms dropping special illumination bombs which blinded the Viet Cong deck gunners, leaving to them being unable to accurately return fire on the attacking U.S. craft, the Viet Cong were incapable of mounting a stiff resistance. Much the Viet Cong fleet and its operators were destroyed.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
January / 1966
To Month/Year
December / 1969
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories LCDR Robert D. Johnson and ADJ1 Edward L Ott were assigned to Detachment 1, Light Helicopter Attack Squadron 3, onboard the USS GARRETT COUNTY (LST 786). On September 1, 1967, they were scrambled on a pre-dawn emergency launch to interdict Viet Cong forces attacking a friendly outpost. The UH-1H (tail number 63-08570) carried a four-man crew.
