Mad Dog Gunship 028
Your Time Has Come
A Vietnam War Hero has been formally recognized and
will be available for future generations to view and pay homage to in the
City of Long Beach, California. This particular Hero is an Old War Horse, a
Charlie Model Gunship UH-1C Huey, and she flew with 3/17 Cav and the 240th
Assault Helicopter Company, Mad Dog Gun Platoon. Her tail number is 66-15028
and she was purchased by the United States Army in February of 1967 and flew
with Troop A, 3/17 Cav from 12/12/1967 until 2/2/1968. In March of 1968 until
July of 1968, 028 flew with Headquarters Troop, 3/17 Cav. From August of 1968
up to July of 1970, except for a brief period from January 1969 to March of
1969 with the 56th Transportation Company, 028 flew with The World's Famous
Mad Dogs of the 240th Assault Helicopter Company out of Bearcat, Republic of
South Vietnam. Our very special thanks to Mike Oravetz for the latest
pictures of 66-15028 at her final resting place in Long Beach, California and
for Mike's hard work and all the other people responsible to see that this
Huey War Bird was preserved for future generations to learn about what the
Huey Helicopter and the crews that flew them contributed to our noble cause
and selfless sacrifices in trying to bring freedom to the people of South
Vietnam. The memorial is located at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Harding
Street in North Long Beach, California after 5 years of hard and backbreaking
work. Phase 2 of the memorial will now begin and Mike Oravetz will continue
to keep us updated on the progress of this worthwhile project and labor of
love. Thanks again, Mike, and the men of the 3/17 Cav and the 240th Assault
Helicopter Company render a salute of respect, admiration and appreciation to
you and all the people involved with this worthwhile undertaking! If you care
to email Mike Oravetz personally to thank him and the others for their
dedicated efforts, he can be reached at: Orry133@aol.com
This is a picture of Joe 'Ragman' Tarnovsky standing next to Mad
Dog Minigun Gunship, 66-15028 sometime between September of 1969 and July
of 1970. Ragman served with the 240th AHC from July 1969 until October
1970, all but 3 weeks in the Mad Dog Gunship Platoon. A picture of 028
shortly after it went down right outside of Bearcat can be seen on this
same website and is on the page, "I'm Just A Soldier Whose Intentions Were
Good" photos by Jon Jay.
Jon contributed some new photos that can be viewed at the following page.
Mad Dog Gunship 028
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