FREDDY D DODSON
HONORED ON PANEL 1E, LINE 56 OF THE WALL
FREDDY DEAN DODSON
1E/56
PR & MR UNKNOWN
LEFT FOR FREDDY DEAN DODSON
honoring you...
A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam
And for a brief moment its glory
and beauty belong to our world
But then it flies again
And though we wish it could have stayed...
We feel lucky to have seen it.
POSTED BY: Grateful Vietnam Veteran
Distinguished Flying Cross Award
PFC Freddy Dean Dodson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism and extraordinary achievement while engaged in aerial flight. He served as a Helicopter Repairer and Aircraft Crewman. He was assigned to the 52ND AIR LIFT PLT, HHC, 52ND AVN BN, US ARMY SPT CMD VIETNAM.
See http://www.virtualwall.org/dd/DodsonFD01a.htm,
POSTED BY: Paul koon
Child hood friend
Searched many days around the kilns in Marshall, Freddy, Johnny and me while his dad was working. Was in Germany when mom sent me the newspaper clipping when he was lost.
Dear PFC Freddy Dodson,
Thank you for your service as a Huey, UH-1 Helicopter Repairer. It is Memorial Day, and we remember all you who gave their all. It has been too long, and it's about time for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels
POSTED BY: [email protected]
Final Mission of PFC Freddy D. Dodson
On June 30, 1964, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1B (tail number 62-01879) from the 52nd Aviation Battalion was one of two gunships providing protection for unarmed Marine H-34 helicopters which were resupplying ground troops near a little grass-hut village called Phoun San, about thirty-five miles south and west of Da Nang, Vietnam, an area they referred to as "Indian country." As they entered the LZ aircraft 879 was flying low recon over the area when it came under enemy fire. The pilot, 2LT William B. Cawthorne, sitting right seat, was hit through the right shoulder and chest and unable to recover the helicopter, which crashed. The left seat pilot, CAPT Rodney Turner, suffered severe leg injuries. The crew chief, PFC Freddy D. Dodson, was pinned under the left side skid. The gunner, PFC Peino Salinas, although injured, tried to lift the burning helicopter off PFC Dodson's legs but was unable and suffered burns on his hands as a result of his efforts. A swift moving fire consumed the aircraft and PFC Salinas was forced to retreat. He and CAPT Turner would survive their injuries, but both 2LT Cawthorne and PFC Dodson were killed. CAPT Cawthorne was able to exit the helicopter and assisted the other crewmen in getting out, but once outside, he sat down, collapsed, and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the United States Marine Corps, Medical Dispensary at Da Nang. The evacuation of CAPT Cawthorne and the two surviving crew members was accomplished within minutes after the crash, by a Marine Corps helicopter. Operations on CAPT Turner's left leg shortened it by two inches. PFC Salinas was returned to full duty three days after the crash. PFC Dodson's remain were recovered and brought back to Da Nang. Soon afterward, the Marines held a memorial service in their chapel for their fallen Army comrades. [Taken from vhpa.org and Vietnam Helicopter Crew Member Stories Volume II, by H.D. Graham]