sikorsky hh-3e jolly green giant (65-12779)

SIKORSKY HH-3E JOLLY GREEN GIANT (REGISTRATION : 65-12779)
On February 6, 1967, Capt. Lucius L. Heiskell was a pilot and was flying an O1F aircraft on a visual reconnaissance mission with another O1F when his aircraft was struck by enemy fire forcing him to bail out. His parachute was followed to the ground and voice contact with him indicated that immediate rescue was not feasible due to enemy troops in the area. Beeper signals continued and later an HH3E helicopter flown by Maj. Patrick H. Wood was dispatched to recover Heiskell. He was at this time located near the border of Laos and North Vietnam about 5 miles from the Mu Gia Pass. Wood's crew that day included Capt. Richard A. Kibbey and SSgt. Donald J. Hall. Heiskell was hoisted aboard, but as the helicopter was departing the area, it was hit by ground fire causing it to explode and crash. The helicopter pararescueman (D.D. Hackney) survived, rescued and treated for burns. The remainder of the crew, Hall, Kibbey and Wood, as well as Heiskell, were not located. Patrick H. Wood was promoted to the rank of Colonel during the time he was maintained Missing in Action.

Source : https://www.vhpa.org/KIA/incident/67020610KIA.HTM