Richard John Leffler

Brave Americans lost forever -- 40 years.

From BROTHERS KILLED IN ACTION IN USMC HELICOPTERS - VIETNAM WAS - Nov. 29, 1969 (web site: http://www.popasmoke.com/kia/incidents.php?incident_id=235) - Sgt. Geo. Custis

[CREW]

Garrett, James Michael HM3 Corpsman-Crew Corpsmen MAG-16 691129 (vvm 15W:004)

Kozai, Kenneth Bruce K 1stLt Pilot HMM-364 MAG-16 691129 (vvm 15W:005)

Leffler, Richard John Cpl Gunner HMM-364 MAG-16 691129 (vvm 15W:005)

Mattingly, John Eugene Sgt Crew Chief HMM-364 MAG-16 691129 (vvm 15W:006)

Parsons III, Henry Bennett Cpl Gunner HMM-364 MAG-16 691129 (vvm 15W:007)

Reardon, Dennis Joseph 1stLt Co-Pilot HMM-364 MAG-16 691129 (vvm 15W:008)

[PASSENGERS]

Lederman, Melvin Cdr OB Pass Other MAG-16 691129 (vvm 15W:005)

Upon requesting information from the Marines who were assigned to the squadron when the incident occurred it became apparent that varied and diverse recollections of Cdr. Melvin Lederman existed. This epilogue is presented to clarify why Cdr. Lederman was often found in and around the squadron area requesting to fly on missions which normally were not flown by Navy medical doctors.

David Kehoe relates, "On November 28th, the day prior to the crash of YK-9, I had flown with this same crew. As I recall on this day, I flew as left gunner, Rich Leffler was right gunner and Sgt. Mattingly was listed as crew chief. However, I do believe this was Rich Leffler’s regular aircraft as crew chief. I had flown with him many times, he as crew chief and I as a gunner, usually left. We had also been both stationed together in the same squadron at New River. I believe Leffler may have been qualifying Mattingly to become a crew chief.

The night of the 28th I was in charge of the Avionics shop night crew, my regular MOS. We worked a lot of hours that night and because of that I was scratched from flight status the next morning. For some reason, the same crew was to fly together the next day also. Something to this day I find very out of the ordinary. The same crew, with the exception of myself being replaced by Cpl. "Bud" Parsons as the other gunner, flew together again on the 29th and all died.

Since this crew was performing no 'SPECIAL' mission I have always found it odd that a crew was kept together for 2 days. It does however, make some sense if they were being observed by Cdr. Lederman looking for stress related matters. Seeing the same crew for a couple of days would help the doctor in his observations.

When I had found out on the 29th what had happened to the flight, I was stunned and shocked. I remember speaking to the recovery crew, before and after they went out. Knowing they were all dead and my name was on that flight schedule has haunted me for lot of years".

All seven passengers and crew on board died when the helicopter was shot down.