Author: John Appel
Subject: Mayaguez SP To
Be Honored
Hi: I'm John Appel in North Carolina.
I'm not a VSPA member, but I read and occasionally post on the Bulletin Board.
I was friends with SSgt Gerald Coyle, who was killed in the Mayaguez Operation
when his chopper went down out of NKP on May 14, 1975. I was at U-Tapao RTAFB at the
time, we were waiting for the SP's from NKP to arrive so we could assault the
ship.
Coyle and I had worked together at Pope
AFB, NC, just before we were both sent to Thailand, but to different bases.
I
made contact with Coyle's daughter almost 2 years ago [see following e-mail].
We've maintained email correspondence since then. She just informed me that Pope
AFB is honoring SSgt Gerald Coyle by naming a Security Forces dormitory in his
honor. The dedication is to take place in mid September.
I
spoke to a MSgt Bryan Saving at Pope AFB today. MSgt Saving is a SF member there,
and in charge of the project. His phone number is 919.394.6104. I and several
others close to Coyle will have invitations, but I don't know if the ceremony
will be open to the public, or what. I didn't have time to ask MSgt Saving today.
I thought about posting this on the Bulletin Board, but thought I'd pass it on
to you first and see if you wanted to do any more research, or post anything more
in depth on it.
I've been out since 1975, but
I don't know of any other buildings, etc., that are named in honor of an SP killed
in the Line of Duty. That event in history is very important to me and many other
SP's, and to have one of our Fallen Brothers honored in such a way has great meaning
to me. I know it will to his daughter and other family members. I believe his
wife still lives in the Fayetteville, NC/Pope AFB area.
Thanks,
John
Appel
Author: John
Appel
Subject: My Friend's Daughter
The
other night I was perusing a Guestbook on another site about the Mayaguez Incident,
and saw a post from the daughter of SSgt Gerald A. Coyle, a friend of mine who
was killed on the chopper crash near NKP in May, 1975, as part of the Mayaguez
Rescue. Coyle and I had been stationed together at Pope AFB, NC, just prior to
us going to Thailand (Coyle to NKP, me to U-Tapao RTAFB). I never knew her or the rest
of Jerry Coyle's family, but I sent her an email and told her what I remembered
about her dad, and what a great guy and good SP he was.
This
was part of her reply, "You can imagine my surprise when I received your
email yesterday! It brought tears to my eyes as I was reading. First and foremost
I want to thank you for taking the time to email and tell me what you knew about
my dad."
I can't tell you guys how good it made me feel to be able to
tell her something about her dad, because she was only 6 years old when he was
killed.
Well, just wanted to share this.
John
Appel, North Carolina
Author: Charles E. Hayes MSgt USAF (ret)
Subject: Re: My Friend's Daughter
In
reply to: John Appel 's message, "My Friend's Daughter"
John,
thanks for reminding the living of our debt to those who didn't make it and to
their families.
Charles Hayes
Author: David Rose (MSgt USAF Ret)
Subject: Re: My Friend's Daughter
In reply
to: John Appel 's message, "My Friend's Daughter"
I
haven't surfed this site in a year. I was stationed at NPK from Apr 1973 to May
1974. I was friends with several personnel lost in that operation. I was stationed
at Plattsburg AFB when at least 10 other friends all previously 56 SPS personnel
got the news. I will never forget!
Author: Don Green
Subject: Re: My Friend's Daughter
In reply to: John Appel
's message, "My Friend's Daughter"
John,
It's
been a long time. I spoke with Cheryl about eight years ago, then lost touch.
I was Jerry's room mate along with "Bod Bob" Lawrence who now lives
in Kentucky. I was stationed with you and Jerry at Pope before all three of us
made the trek to NKP.
I manage to stay in touch
with Mike Lane's mother and always call her on 13 May to let her know I remember.
Take
care and email me when you get a chance.
All
my best,
Don Green
NKP 74-75
Author: Troy Williams
Subject: Re: My Friend's Daughter
In reply to: John Appel
's message, "My Friend's Daughter"
John... I served at NKP in 75' in live in Fayetteville, NC I was an SP on the night shift.
I was in country only a few weeks when the incident happened.
Author: Robert E. (Bob) Merrill
Subject: Re: My Friend's Daughter
In reply to: John Appel 's message, "My Friend's Daughter"
This
is particularly touching for those of us with daughters because but for the grace
of God it could have been any one of us. Welcome home Brother and thank you.
Author: Terry Sandman
Subject: Re: Mayaguez
Incident
In reply to: Jeff Petty 's message, "Mayaguez Incident"
Jeff,
I
have found 2 sources that list the Air Force casualties killed in the crash of
Knife 13 and also killed in action during the Koh-Tang operation. The first one
is a video titled, "Seized at Sea; Situation Critical," at www.henninger.com/Mayaguez/
The
second is a book titled, "The Last Battle; The Mayaguez Incident and the
End of the Vietnam War," by Ralph Wetterhahn that lists the casualties in
an Appendix. The book can be purchased on www.amazon.com
The
web site for the video lists the Marines, Navy Corpsmen and Air Force personnel
killed during the operation. The Air Force personnel listed as killed in the crash
on Knife 13 are; Security Police: Jimmy Black, Bobby Collums, Gerald Coyle, Thomas
Dwyer, Bob Ford, Gerald Fritz, Jackie D. Glenn, Darrell Hamlin, Gregory Hankamer,
David Higgs, Faleagafula Ilaoa, Michael Lane, Dennis London, Robert Mathias, William
McKelvey, Edgar Moran, Tommy Nealis, and Robert Ross. The helicopter crew killed
on Knife 13: James G. Kays (Pilot), Lawrence G. Froehlich (Copilot), George E.
McMullen (Flight Engineer), Paul J. Raber (Flight Mechanic) plus Robert P. Weldon.
The list also includes 2 USAF killed in action during the Koh-Tang operation;
Elwood E. Rumbaugh and Richard Van de Geer and 6 USAF wounded in action: Thomas
J. Bateson, Howard A. Corson,Jr., Jesus P. Dejesus, Ronald A. Gross, Jon D. Harston
and Nick Morales.
I hope that this information
is helpful to you.
Terry Sandman
Security Police
Đà Nàng & Đông Hà Air Field,
RVN
1966-1967
LINKS:
VSPA
Memorial Tribute Page for SSgt Gerald Coyle
VSPA
Memorial for the 56th SPS killed in line of duty during the SS Mayaguez Operation
Rescue.
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