Dec. 22, 1962 - A U.S. Army helicopter pilot was killed by Communist ground fire in South Vietnam today while flying a mission 240 miles north of Saigon. The victim was identified only as a warrant officer pilot of the 81st Light Helicopter Company stationed at Pleiku. There were no other casualties on the H-21 troop-carrier. The latest battle victim died one year to the day after the first American combat death of the current war. He was the 42nd American serviceman killed in South Vietnam since Dec. 22, 1961. Of the 42 dead, 23 have been battle casualties, and 19 died of other causes. About 12,000 American servicemen currently are stationed in the country.
