major group
OP NATHAN HALE
event
COMBAT ASSAULT INTO LANDING ZONE APPLE 6 KM SOUTHEAST OF DONG TRE AIR FIELD 19660624

Wayne Nutsch
wayne@nutsch.com
Salem, OR
White 3
I was "White 3" - hydraulics went into "red" - left formation - "White 4" moved into my slot - shot down next lift into LZ Apple. I flew many hours with Don and learned a lot about combat helicopter flying from him. A very perceptive and innovative aviator. God bless his family.
Sunday, February 27, 2005

David De la Rocha
ddelarocha@msn.com
Admirer
1833, S., Olive Avenue, Alhambra, CA., 91803, USA
Air Cav., Hero
Chief, Warrant Officer, Donald Estes gave his life, to his country, on June 24, 1966, during operation Irvine. Don Estes, or White Four, which was call, name, was bringing in the last, of 10, Huey, troop carriers, that were landing, into a hot LZ., from LZ., Apple, as part of a landing, force, that was operating, around the hills, of Dong Tre. The 1st, Cav., along, with 101, Airborne, had been conducting, operations and running, into short, but intense skirmishes, with the North Vietnamese, that had been grouping around, the hills, of Dong Tre and Trung Luong, for some time. The battles, always ended with the enemy, retreating, from the field. With the odds, stacked, heavily against the inbound Hueys, Don Estes continued, his track and at about 100, feet, over the hot LZ., witnesses believe an enemy round, hit Estes engine, knocking it out. Estes last words, being, to "throw it, in emergency," as he tried, to gain control, of his crippled ship. The Huey, exploded upon impact. On board, the Huey were, the other heroes, of that day, Co-Pilot, Chief, Warrant Officer, D.S. Townsend, Specialist, 4, L.P. Lebrun who was the door gunner, W.E. Steiner, the crew chief and three, 1st, Cav., riflemen, Specialist, 4, Johnny Nickey, Specialist, 4, Adell Alston and Specialist, 5, Bobby J. James. All aboard perished. Out of the ten Hueys, brought in, that day, only two were flight capable, the next day.
Wednesday, July 31, 2002

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Donald C. Estes was a 30 year old aviation warrant officer who died while serving in the U.S Army during the Vietnam War. The UH-1D (Huey) helicopter he was piloting was hit by anti-aircraft or artillery round(s) and exploded in air while over land. CW2 Estes served nine years in the U.S. Army before his death.

He was survived by his wife and three children.

His name appears on the Tallassee [Alabama] Vietnam War Memorial at the corner of Freeman Avenue and Central Boulevard in Tallassee.
POSTED ON 5.31.2018

POSTED BY: BOB WOOD

REST IN PEACE

Don, We never met but you were married to my 1st cousin Sally. You are mentioned in the book "We were Soldiers Once...and Young." In the movie you were the pilot who flew into a hostile "LZ" because of the smoke in the "Battle of La Drang." Thank you for your service and sacrifice...Rest in Peace.

Estes, Donald Carthel, CW2