We lost Jose (Joe) Manuel De La Torre on 18 June 1969 in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam. Joe was a
UH-1 helicopter Crew Chief assigned to the 282ND ASSAULT HELICOPTER Company (Blackcats), 212TH Aviation Battalion, 1ST Aviation Brigade. Joe was within just a few days of completing his third combat tour in-country when he was killed on what would have been his last mission before returning home.
Joe was a crewmember on one of six 282ND “Blackcat” UH-1 helicopters that were engaged in a troop lift west of Quang Ngaill. Joe was flying as crew chief /gunner in the lead helicopter when the flight came under intense fire from enemy ground positions. Joe's aircraft rolled inverted and exploded on short final to the landing zone (LZ). This resulted in the loss of all four men on-board Joe’s helicopter. Five of the other aircraft in the lift were also hit numerous times, with several soldiers receiving minor wounds.
Manuel was one of the neighborhood boys who lived only a few blocks away from me. A group of us would walk to and from school dances together. It used to sadden me to pass by his house after I heard about his passing. To this day, when in the neighborhood, I say, "that's where Manuel used to live". thanks for everything Manuel, those were beautiful starry nights.
Clark Wilson
We lost Jose (Joe) Manuel De La Torre on 18 June 1969 in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam. Joe was a
UH-1 helicopter Crew Chief assigned to the 282ND ASSAULT HELICOPTER Company (Blackcats), 212TH Aviation Battalion, 1ST Aviation Brigade. Joe was within just a few days of completing his third combat tour in-country when he was killed on what would have been his last mission before returning home.
Joe was a crewmember on one of six 282ND “Blackcat” UH-1 helicopters that were engaged in a troop lift west of Quang Ngaill. Joe was flying as crew chief /gunner in the lead helicopter when the flight came under intense fire from enemy ground positions. Joe's aircraft rolled inverted and exploded on short final to the landing zone (LZ). This resulted in the loss of all four men on-board Joe’s helicopter. Five of the other aircraft in the lift were also hit numerous times, with several soldiers receiving minor wounds.
Emelina(Amee) Pineda (Foster)
Manuel was one of the neighborhood boys who lived only a few blocks away from me. A group of us would walk to and from school dances together. It used to sadden me to pass by his house after I heard about his passing. To this day, when in the neighborhood, I say, "that's where Manuel used to live". thanks for everything Manuel, those were beautiful starry nights.