Washington, D.C.
For release May 1, 2022
The Angry Skipper Association is hosting the Never Forgotten 34 Memorial on May 10, 2022 to honor 34 brothers-in-arms who died in a helicopter crash on May 10, 1972 in Vietnam. Among the 34 Fallen Soldiers being honored at the memorial is SP4 Donald Edward Howell, of Los Angeles, CA, son of John T. and Ila Mae Howell.
On May 10, 1972, members of the 1st Cav Company D 2nd/8th were pulled out of the combat zone in the middle of the enemy’s Easter offensive, and sent for a 3-day stand-down at the Army’s beachfront R&R Center at Vung Tau, Vietnam. They boarded Chinook helicopters for the journey, joining the flight crew and soldiers from other units for the 40 mile flight. Tragically, one of the helicopters experienced sudden mechanical failure and crashed, according to official reports. There were no survivors and 34 souls perished that day.
On the 50th anniversary of this tragic accident, the invited Gold Star Families, friends, and supporting Vietnam veterans will gather at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall to remember and honor these fallen warriors.
On the day before the Memorial, a private banquet will be held for the Gold Star Families of the 34 fallen so they can mingle with combat veterans and share memories, photos, and memorabilia from the lives of their soldiers. It will be at held at the AUSA Conference Center, 2425 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201 at 5:00 pm on May 9, 2022.
The main Never Forgotten 34 ceremonial event will be held at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, 5 Henry Bacon Dr NW, Washington, DC 20037 at 10:25 am on May 10, 2022 — 50 years to the day after these men gave their last full measure of devotion.
About the Angry Skippers: an association of Vietnam Veterans who served in Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile). For more information click here:
Angry Skipper Association, Inc.
For more details about the Never Forgotten 34 Memorial, including names of all the soldiers who perished, click here: 34 Gold Star Families – Home (weebly.com)
To discover what this Memorial means to the families in 2022, check the Facebook page here:
(2) Never Forgotten 34 | Groups | Facebook