Eight Marines Killed in Viet Helicopter Collision

June 6, 1965 - Eight United States Marines were killed this morning when two helicopters collided over the South China Sea off the coast of South Vietnam. Six bodies have been recovered.

The helicopters — each carrying a pilot, a co-pilot, and two crewmen — collided on take-off from the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima.

The accident occurred 53 miles south of Danang, off the rapidly growing Marine Corps air base at Chulai. At the base, U.S. Navy construction crews are preparing facilities that could support Marine units in a full combat role under orders they expect to receive shortly.

So far, all American troops in South Vietnam have been restricted basically to a defensive role. But the feeling is growing in Vietnam that American troops will soon be permitted to engage the Viet Cong in offensive actions.

The Defense Department identified six of the Marines killed in the helicopter collision. The names of the two others, listed as missing, were withheld.

The names of the dead follow:Capt. Paul F. McNally (pictured), 28 years old, of Keneohe, Hawaii.

First Lieut. Nicolaus A. Doeden, 27, of Muskegon, Mich.

Cpl. Frank W. Wilson, 28, of Kailua, Hawaii.

Cpl. Gary D. Tracey, 28, of Keneohe, Hawaii.

Pfc. Curtis L. Foster, 19, of Richmond, Ind.

Lance Cpl. Carl E. McDee, 23, of Asheville, N.C.

Support this project at patreon.com/realtime1960s