Timothy Coleman Patterson
April 22, 1967
Age 22
I can remember 22 April 1967 as though it were yesterday. I was an aircraft commander with the 360th Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron, based at Tan San Nhut Air Base. I had just taken off on my 129th mission, and was proceeding to the Vung Tau area. We had only been airborne for a matter of minutes and were climbing through 500 feet when I saw a chopper crash in a grave yard near Long Bin. I called in the rescue choppers and proceeded on to my mission area. The next day during a briefing on personnel recovery, I was summoned to return to my squadron. I had a strange feeling at the time, and returned with a great deal of apprehension. The Operations Duty Officer told me there was someone to see me. I was sitting at a desk when an Army Warrant Two came up to the desk, saluted, handed me as telegram, and walked away without a word. I knew what it was before I opened it.
It was not until August of 1967, when I was flying a jump for the Golden Knights from Ft. Bragg that I learned I'd seen my son's chopper crash. One of the Golden Knights who had known Tim informed me that the chopper I saw crash on 22 April 1967 was the same one that Tim and some of his platoon died in. The chopper crew was killed and one member of the platoon survived. In correspondence with a former 173rd member, Darrell Cline of Picayune, Mississippi I learned that Tim was well liked and was a good soldier. He loved the 173rd, and chose to stay with them, though he could have returned early because I was there. If the one surviving member of Tim's platoon is still around, I would appreciate hearing from him, if he sees this site.
We will always feel close to the 173rd Airborne Brigade. They are and will always be our brothers, and this web site will help to keep them in the hearts and minds of all who see this site. We are grateful to Paul and his group for their desire that none forget.
