Never Forgotten 34 — Memorial Ceremony
Summary
On May 9–10, 2022 — exactly 50 years to the day and hour of the crash — the Angry Skipper Association held the Never Forgotten 34 Memorial Ceremony in Washington, DC, honoring the 34 soldiers killed aboard CH-47A tail number 64-13157 on May 10, 1972.
All 34 Gold Star families were contacted and invited. Approximately 180 attended, including Gold Star family members, Angry Skipper veterans and their families, and special guests from the aviation units. Two surviving Gold Star mothers were present. The event was organized by the Angry Skipper Association; Wolf Kutter, Skipper 6 (CO, 1971–72), led the outreach to families.
Program
Monday evening, May 9 — Gold Star Families & Veterans Gathering Dinner
The gathering dinner brought together families and veterans — many meeting for the first time — to share stories, memories, and photographs. A handmade memorial quilt was presented to the family of each fallen soldier. A slide presentation of the Never Forgotten 34 ran throughout the evening, displaying photos of each of the 34 fallen heroes.
A resource panel addressed the families directly, drawing from those closest to the event. Panel members included John Dullahan (Artillery Forward Observer, 1972), Dr. John Osheroff (attending physician at the crash site), Wolf Kutter (CO, D 2/8), Roy Adams (Sgt. Cat Platoon), and Peter Eldrige (Chairman, Crash Investigation Board). For many families, hearing the cause of the crash explained in detail by those who were there — and learning that the men did not suffer — brought long-delayed answers.
Tuesday, May 10 — Memorial Ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
A military memorial ceremony was conducted at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, 50 years to the day and hour of the crash. A family member of each of the 34 fallen soldiers was given the honor of reading their own hero's name aloud as a bell was tolled. Veterans lined the walk to the Wall and presented the Military Hand Salute to Gold Star family members as they passed. Wreaths were laid and Taps was played. A single rubbing of all 34 names was made at the Wall.
Gold Star Family Accounts
The Howell family (Skip and Linda Howell, Ed and Joyce Hooke — family of SP4 Donald Edward Howell, age 24): "It seemed that our way of thinking about our brother's death was that it was for a cause… And maybe the most important of all was the opportunity for a lot of soldiers so dedicated to the cause that they formed the Angry Skipper Association."
The Rosenberg family (Teddi Rosenberg, sister; Mark Rosenberg, son — family of CPT Kenneth Rosenberg, age 29): "My brother, Captain Kenneth Rosenberg was there that fateful day May 10, 1972 and boarded a helicopter with 33 soldiers that would never reach their destination. But my brother's children and I were surrounded by the soldiers who knew him better than we did."
The Monteleone family (Jesse Monteleone, nephew — family of SP4 Gary Robert Monteleone, age 20): "I was given a new family from the shared experience and pain we all endured. My heart is full and my personal mission complete from finally sharing the videos Gary took of his fallen brothers. Till the day I leave this world, the Angry Skippers will be a lifesaving family."
The Phillips family (brothers and sisters of PFC Dean Anthony Phillips, age 20): "From a 9 y/o boy's perspective, it was difficult to understand 50 years ago, but after attending the weekend, it clarified so much. Learning about the accident in more detail. Meeting the families of Dean's fellow comrades also helped give those other lost soldiers (who were his friends) identity."
Notes
Roy Adams and the departure photograph: Sgt. Roy Adams (Cat Platoon) was present at the departure of CH-47A 64-13157 on the morning of May 10, 1972, and photographed the aircraft as it lifted off — the image captioned "Skull Platoon Last Flight May 10, 1972." Adams was not aboard; his being Cat Platoon rather than Skull Platoon is the reason he survived. He attended the 2022 memorial as a surviving witness and participated in the resource panel.
Unit attribution resolved: The Never Forgotten 34 roster published in the ASA newsletter (Issue 20, Jan. 2023) provides the definitive unit breakdown for the 34 KIA: 21 from D Co. 2nd/8th Cav, 5 crew from the 362nd Aviation Co., 1 from 1st Signal Brigade Aviation Detachment (Lahner), and 7 from A Co. 1st/12th Cav.
If you attended the Never Forgotten 34 Memorial in Washington, DC on May 9–10, 2022, we would welcome your account of the event and any photographs you can share.
Share what you know →Family members of any of the Never Forgotten 34 are part of the Angry Skipper family. If you are related to one of the fallen and would like to be connected, please reach out through the contribute form.
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