It is now August 24, 2010 in Vietnam. Twenty Three years ago today Richard Michael Allard 1st Flight Crew Chief and Ronald Lee Holtzman Gunner were crewing UH-1H 66-16526 when it crashed in the Dak Bla river. Nine people were on board including one civilian MS Cynthia Colburn Donut Dolly. According to military records they are considered dead but their remains are missing to this day. Both Allard and Holtzman were declared dead on 05/15/78.

Allard started his tour 05/04/67 and was posthumously promoted along with Holtzman. Holtzman started his tour 09/18/66 and was due to DEROS in 37 days. The location of the incident is listed in Military records as Pleiku Province II Corps Military grid coordinates ZA085831.

Richard was an excellent Crew Chief. Ron was my regular Gunner for 4 months dedicated to his job as gunner and keeping my 6 covered.

They will never be Forgotten.

Tom Gator 851