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Information on U.S. Navy helicopter SH-3A tail number 148985
POSTED ON 1/2/13 - BY WKILLIAN@SMJUHSD.ORG
Crew consisted of LT Richard W. Homuth, LJG Thomas E. Pettis, PR1 Eureka L. Schmittou, and ADJ Ronald P. Soucy. On 23 May 1967 after launching from the USS Hornet and during search and rescue operations in the Gulf of Tonkin, the aircraft was downed, its crash at sea considered hostile. No radio contact was heard and the helicopter was classified as missing. Crew members were listed as killed in action-body not recovered, which was later changed to remains nonrecoverable (status assigned 11 Sept 1974). [Taken from vhpa.org]
Other Comments:
PR1 Schmittou had been in the Navy for 18 years-
his tour began on May 23, 1967
Other Personnel in Incident: Richard Homuth, Thomas Pettis, Ronald Soucy, all KIA/BNR
1967 HOMUTH RICHARD W. SPRING VALLEY CA.
(SAR FOUND RAFT RADIO CONTACT)
1967 PETTIS THOMAS E. MOBILE AL.
(SAR FOUND RAFT RADIO CONTACT)
1967 SCHMITTOU EUREKA LAVERN RINGGOLD TX.
(SAR FOUND RAFT RADIO CONTACT)
1967 SOUCY RONALD PHILIP WHITTING LAKE IN.
(SAR FOUND RAFT RADIO CONTACT)
REMARKS: ON SAR - LOST RADIO CONTACT - FOUNF RAFT
CACCF/CRASH/AIRCREW/18 YRS UNITED STATES NAVY
No further information available at this time.
North Vietnam, pre-1975: CHANGE OF CATEGORY FROM "DEAD (BNR)" TO "REMAINS NONRECOVERABLE"
Herman Kremkau
a fellow veteran
I may of not known you but for over 20 years I have worn your name on my wrist. You gave all for your country and for god. I know that God has taken you into his arms. God Bless you.
D. BURT - A GRATEFUL AMERICAN
RHODE ISLAND USA
**TO HONOR AN AMERICAN HERO NOT FORGOTTEN**
ôOur debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid, they have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrificesö. - PRESIDENT HARRY S. TRUMAN ~ ~ ~ PR1 SCHMITTOU, UNITED STATES NAVY - Although many years have passed, you are not forgotten this day nor will you ever be. I will forever be grateful for your honorable service and supreme sacrifice that you have so courageously bestowed upon our nation. You will forever live in the hearts of all of those you have touched. "Fair winds and following seas~~~~ I am very grateful and would like to honor all of our Vietnam veterans who have so proudly and courageously served our country. No veteran should ever be forgotten. The veteran who lived through this horrible war, left with everlasting memories and whose lives may be altered forever, the disabled veteran who returned with hardships and many permanent reminders and the pain of that war, the POW/MIA veteran we wait for and whose family and friends are tormented for so, so long not knowing and the fallen veteran who gave his/her life at such a young age leaving their families devastated forever - all had one thing in common and that was to fight for our freedom, our country - we owe them so much and a thank you is where to begin and to never forget them for their gallantry, fortitude and valor. I salute each and every one of them.~~~~ ôI have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faithö. Timothy 2:4:7
