Legacy of Valor
Not to be confused with official markings or insignia, nose art personalizes an aircraft for its crew, because it is the crew members who name the aircraft and create the art, imbuing it with an identity of its own. ‘Nose Art’ is important as an historical and societal indicator over time, an example of folk art or popular expression, and a record of the past. Charlie Troop 1/9th Lift bird Cobra gunship Scout bird Bravo Troop 1/9th Lift bird Bravo Troop Cobra gunship The original Pink Panther nose art was designed by 1st LT Joe Waters (Weapons Platoon) C Troop 1/9th, 1st Cavalry Division
Mike Thompson (crew chief) 228th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, 1970-71 This and the following thirteen nose art photos were taken by Mike and provided to me by Mike’s brother-in-law Specialist 5 Jordan Green (Maintenance Platoon) Charlie Troop 1/9th, 1969-70
W.O.1 Matthew Lawless with A Troop gunship
Image courtesy of Michael Dwyer, Sp 4, Victor call sign “Blivet” 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion Gladiator Huey CH-47 Chinook, South Vietnam Photo by David Parsley UH-1D Dolphin 605 “Ruptured Duck” with WO1 Boyd Mitchell and CPT Bill McCurry. Photo by Captain Bill McCurry, 1966-1967 CH 47 Nose Art Photo by John Lippert Sr. Song Be Province, Vietnam Photo by Dave Simmons Photo by Jerry Walker
Photo by John M. DeCillo
Photo by Joe Schwarzer
Col. Thomas E. Colvin, USAF (Ret.), Danang Air Base, Vietnam, 1969-70
‘Mr Groovy’ of the 11th ACR out of Blackhorse.
Photo by Lloyd Goldston III
Flew in from Bien Hoa to FSB Buttons December 1970
Photo by Joe Saad
Puff the Magic Dragon (Spooky) AC-47 gunship
Vietnam – weather girl
My Vietnam Experience 
I was in phouc vinh 67/68…I remember the 162nd and the Big Red One and I forget the artillery unit there???? with the 155’s and the 175’s.
Infact looking for the BRO sgt e5 who climbed our radio tower to call in-in coming mortar fire……..txs-tony molina…stmolina@msn.com
I don’t know what artillery unit that was, but I do recall the sound of their big guns going off while I was on perimeter guard duty. They were directly behind us.
Welcome Home Tony…
Nose Art. Great stuff. keep it going.
Thanks Terry…
Wow, great collection of colorful helicopter names and art. I’m so glad you shared these with us all. Opens up a fresh new chapter in aviation history completed four decades ago. Myself, served in the Delta, helo company, 70-71.
Thanks and Welcome Home John…
Isn’t “U.S. ARMY HELICOPTER NAMES IN VIETNAM” your book?
Yes, I plead guilty, my bloodhound tendency for tracking down “new” undocumented helo names and art of the VN War keeps me looking & searching even after publishing the book. I figure there’s another 500 helo names out there, and the discovery of six “new” ones on your site proves my theory most clearly. A treasure trove indeed!
Hello John,
My flight instructor served in Vietnam as a Chinook pilot with the 228th “Longhorns”. I was wondering if there is any information about him in your book. Reason for asking is because I’m building a chinook model for him. Please email me so I can give you his name and additional information. Thank you very much in advance.
Regards,
Niek
Niek, thanks for the reply. My email address is: johnmailman@yahoo.com
Who was your flight instructor? My Dad was an FE, B Co. 228th AHSB “Longhorns”. I regularly attend the VHCMA reunions every June with him and there are several Longhorn pilots that attend. Just curious. Thanks!
Hello Scott,
My instructor is mr. M.L. Nutt (Lyle).
Thank you.
Regards,
Niek
I had the pleasure of meeting Lyle and his wife at the 2010 reunion in Atlanta. Hope to see him next month in Reno.
In my photos files there is a pic of “War Wagon”, B Co 228 ASHB that has “FE McClain” stenciled on the fuselage. My names book has William McClain assigned to this aircraft as the Flight Engineer in 1967-68. The aircraft serial # was 66-00069. Forward me your email address and I’ll send you a scan of the photo.
That was my Dad’s ship. He has the original slide that he had converted to digital. Would love to see what you have. akfire.mcclain@gmail.com
My dad Greg Hawkins was Crew Cheif on the War Wagon 67-68.
Tim, I’ll include your father’s name as WAR WAGON’s CE in my database. Thanks for the input.
HI guys. Just saw this posting. My crew chief on 069 was Ken Bradley. I’m sorry that I don’t remember Tim’s father. If I saw a picture I probably would. Thanks. Bill McClain
Welcome Home William…
finally I have found HOME, I served with 1st AIR CAV. 1ST /9TH CAV, I was a “BLUE”, 1965-66, I left from the 82nd AIR BORNE ,1ST 508. OUR TRANSPORT, HEADHUNTERS, I Would like to receive any info,pic, or web site ,where I can purchase ,t-shirts, caps, related to my unit,( recon) thanks. cvetster @aol.com
Welcome Home George…