CWO Jerald Wayne Carter
1946 - 1971

Chief Warrant Officer Jerald Wayne Carter was born Oct 23, 1946 in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Ark. to J. W. "Jack" Carter & Dorthy May Lewis (I have found no proof that he was born in Fort Smith, but that is what several records state) He died 28 Nov 1971. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery Fort Morgan, Morgan County, Colorado. It was Thanksgiving Day on November 28, 1971 when he was serving on the crew as Pilot and Aircraft Commander of the CH-47 Chinook helicopter #68-15866 This CH-47 had been sent to provide aircraft for an administrative troop movement from LZ 401 at DaNang to Camp Eagle. During their flight they called in, declaring an emergency. Their aircraft was located 650 feet up the mountain, and was completely demolished. Located in a creek bed, it had hit a 50 degree slope with such impact that it caused it’s fuel cells to rupture resulting in a flash fire. The official investigation showed that the Chinook had taken a single hit, creating spalling, or loss of adhesion, causing it to fall apart. There were no survivors and 29 soldiers from 1/327 and 5 crewmen were lost. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Air Medal.