Here is a bit more information on Phil's death. I hope this is the correct place to post this type of information.
Killed in Action on 8 JAN 1968
Captain John Thomas Chapman
Aircraft Commander
Captain Frederick Lloyd Schram
Copilot
Corporal Philip Stanley Strand, Jr.
Crew Chief
Staff Sergeant Bennett Walfred Olson
Gunner
Corporal Vernon Bernabe Venegas
Gunner
Mission Information:
As a platoon commander with A 1/3, it was my unpleasant task to command a reinforced platoon that was dropped above the crash site to hike down to where the actual aircraft came to rest. There was more to the story than just a body recovery operation, as I found out later. I thought the flight commander was a Major at the time, I found his flight jacket with name patch. We had CID, graves [registration] and a Colonel from MAG-? in DaNang there with us. Seems some important documents were on board.
Col. Ellis was traveling with the "Die Marker" plans, McNamara's defensive positions in I Corps. I searched his wallet and found his CA driver's license. SgtMaj Cyr is a mystery. One of the SSgts, Grimes, I knew from OCS at Quantico.
The aircraft literally slammed into the side of a mountain, in the fog and was off course. Bringing Marines back from R&R, I believe. Found part of WO Price wrapped around a tree. Most of the bodies were unrecognizable. Col. Ellis' body was remarkably intact. It looked like he was stretched out sleeping near part of the aircraft. It is my understanding that the aircraft had been there three weeks before we went after it. Spooky area: Hai Lang Forest -- R&R for NVA. I was there on 28 Jan.
There was an arty FO with us and he took a few photos, but I don't remember his name. The graves people put bodies in bags. Don't know if anyone went in after we left. I wasn't told to look for a briefcase with the "Die Marker" plans. Found out about it a few days after we returned to Quang Tri.
Submitted by Bruce S. Lewy, A/1/3, Platoon Commander, Recovery Platoon
Philip Strand, Jr. was twenty years old and from Riverside, California.
Remembrance: I met Vern Venegas and Phil Strand when we were stationed at MCAS Tustin during late 1966 just prior to going over to Marble Mountain [Vietnam]. Vern, Phil and I became very close friends early on.
I was initially supposed to fly one of the gun positions on YH-21 [HMH-463's helicopter # 21] on her last flight. However, as far as I can recall, I had a project in the Metal Shop that needed to be completed, so Vern went in my place -- this was 6 days before my 21st birthday. This is one of those things that crosses your mind, so often during 30 plus years. The story on Phil Strand is much more eerie.
About a week before Phil was killed, Phil, Vern, Doug Hagen, Al Irwin and myself were drinking at the Marble E Club. Phil had seemed very edgy most of the day, and I asked him what was wrong. He proceeded to tell us that the previous night during his sleep an angel had told him he had a very short time to live. He was really bothered by this and even a few beers couldn't seem to relax him. I was concerned, but passed it off as just a dream -- that is until 8 Jan 68. This is the God's honest truth. Phil and Vern are forever young to me. May God's perpetual light shine on them forever, and may they rest in peace. William D. Platt III, CPL, USMC 2214203.
Curtis Lee Brannam, Sr. (1965)
Here is a bit more information on Phil's death. I hope this is the correct place to post this type of information.
As a platoon commander with A 1/3, it was my unpleasant task to command a reinforced platoon that was dropped above the crash site to hike down to where the actual aircraft came to rest. There was more to the story than just a body recovery operation, as I found out later. I thought the flight commander was a Major at the time, I found his flight jacket with name patch. We had CID, graves [registration] and a Colonel from MAG-? in DaNang there with us. Seems some important documents were on board.
Col. Ellis was traveling with the "Die Marker" plans, McNamara's defensive positions in I Corps. I searched his wallet and found his CA driver's license. SgtMaj Cyr is a mystery. One of the SSgts, Grimes, I knew from OCS at Quantico.
The aircraft literally slammed into the side of a mountain, in the fog and was off course. Bringing Marines back from R&R, I believe. Found part of WO Price wrapped around a tree. Most of the bodies were unrecognizable. Col. Ellis' body was remarkably intact. It looked like he was stretched out sleeping near part of the aircraft. It is my understanding that the aircraft had been there three weeks before we went after it. Spooky area: Hai Lang Forest -- R&R for NVA. I was there on 28 Jan.
There was an arty FO with us and he took a few photos, but I don't remember his name. The graves people put bodies in bags. Don't know if anyone went in after we left. I wasn't told to look for a briefcase with the "Die Marker" plans. Found out about it a few days after we returned to Quang Tri.
Submitted by Bruce S. Lewy, A/1/3, Platoon Commander, Recovery Platoon
Remembrance: I met Vern Venegas and Phil Strand when we were stationed at MCAS Tustin during late 1966 just prior to going over to Marble Mountain [Vietnam]. Vern, Phil and I became very close friends early on.
I was initially supposed to fly one of the gun positions on YH-21 [HMH-463's helicopter # 21] on her last flight. However, as far as I can recall, I had a project in the Metal Shop that needed to be completed, so Vern went in my place -- this was 6 days before my 21st birthday. This is one of those things that crosses your mind, so often during 30 plus years. The story on Phil Strand is much more eerie.
About a week before Phil was killed, Phil, Vern, Doug Hagen, Al Irwin and myself were drinking at the Marble E Club. Phil had seemed very edgy most of the day, and I asked him what was wrong. He proceeded to tell us that the previous night during his sleep an angel had told him he had a very short time to live. He was really bothered by this and even a few beers couldn't seem to relax him. I was concerned, but passed it off as just a dream -- that is until 8 Jan 68. This is the God's honest truth. Phil and Vern are forever young to me. May God's perpetual light shine on them forever, and may they rest in peace. William D. Platt III, CPL, USMC 2214203.