Anthony Dal Pozzo, Jr Warrant Officer 18TH AVN CO (CORPS), 164TH AVN GRP, 1 AVN BDE Army of the United States 26 April 1951 - 29 January 1973 Santa Barbara, California Panel 01W Line 113

 

6 Apr 2001 Tony, I think of you often. I never miss a chance to tell someone of you and the friendship we shared during flight school. My oldest son, who is now 28 years old shares your name (Anthony) in honor of our friendship and your memory. I will never forget you and the short amount of time we shared together. Rest in peace, my friend. Curtis M. Gore c5m6g@yahoo.com

 

3 Jan 2005 Tony was a great guy; we did Tequila shots together the night before he was hit and had planned to get together in Southern California on leave. He will always be remembered fondly. John M. Harris john.harris@ca.ngb.army.mil

 

9 May 2005 Last week, I read in the May 05 VFW Magazine an article by R. Kolb "First and Last KIA in the Indochina War" and he wrote about Mr. Dal Pozzo becoming one of the war's last KIAs flying an observation helicopter which was downed by a single VC about 10 miles from Can Tho. I emailed the author some details about what happened as I was a passenger aboard Mr. Dal Pozzo's Huey that day. Mr. Dal Pozzo was flying members of US Army representatives to the Four Power Joint Military Commission from the outlying provinces to Can Tho, the major headquarters for US Military in the Mekong Delta. His itnerary was from Can Tho Air Field to Ca Mau, to Bac Lieu, to Chuong Thien to Can Tho Air Field, estimate of around two hundred miles. I and two others were picked up in Bac Lieu. All of us passengers were to have our pictures taken for ID badges for the Joint Military Commission, and return to our provinces the same day. Putting on the headset, I spoke to Mr. Dal Pozzo, who was piloting, and also spoke to WO Goodheart, who was copilot. I recall Mr. Dal Pozzo telling me he was from Santa Barbara, CA and Mr. Goodheart was an Eskimo from Alaska. (I could be mistaken about Mr. Goodheart, it has been so long.) Since I was 42 years old, I noted how young both looked, and so handsome. I told Mr. Dal Pozzo that I was from Fresno, and that I thought Santa Barbara was beautiful, and he smiled his agreement. Landing in Chuong Thien to pick up one more, Mr. Dal Pozzo expertly flew us rather low directly following a large canal north to Can Tho. About ten minutes into the flight, we approached a very large rice mill, and waving on a pole was the largest Viet Cong flag I have ever seen. From nowhere appeared a single VC aiming and firing an AK-47 automatic weapon at the Huey. I heard the snap-snap-snap of the bullets hitting the Huey, and I saw bullet holes appearing on the aluminum floor by my feet. Mr. Dal Pozzo was struck on his helmet and slumped over. The soldier sitting directly in from of me winced and screamed, "I'm hit!!" and I saw blood staining his trousers. Worrying about myself, I quickly examined my feet and legs, and I was OK. Sitting on the left side, I saw the green rice paddy quickly approaching me. Mr. Dal Pozzo was hit fatally and released the controls, and the Huey was going to crash. Suddenly, Mr. Goodheart grabbed the controls and regained altitude after quite a bit of yawing and shuddering. For years I tried to remember your name, Mr. Dal Pozzo. I could not. I visited the "travelling VN Wall" twice to search for your name on the right (war ending) side of the wall. I looked at the Wall Book, and searched for your name, but could not remember it. I wanted to honor you for what you did, and for your service. You are a true hero, and your family and loved ones can forever be proud of you. I will always remember you and your smiling, handsome face. God Bless you! From a retired officer who was a passenger on Mr. Dal Pozzo's flight, K. Kobata kkobata@comcast.net

 

20 Nov 2006 I am doing an assignment for school to honor the Vietnam Veterans. Thank you for what you gave, and you are remembered. Sincerely, Marisa xofieldhockyxo@aim.com

 

28 May 2007 Tony was my friend through six years of junior high and high school in Santa Barbara. He was know as "Chipper." I'm thinking of him today, Memorial Day 2007. It's hard to believe it's been so many years. He was one of the good guys. Bruce Babcock thurber51@earthlink.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The cease-fire in South Vietnam was to be effective at 0800 on 28 January 1973. The 164th Combat Aviation Group was tasked to furnish equipment and personnel to establish one Flight Detachment for the International Commission for Control and Supervision (ICCS) and one for the Joint Military Commission (JMC). At 0945, 28 January 1973, a pilot of the 18th Aviation Company, flying a marked JMC aircraft, was severely injured when his UH-1H HUEY was hit by enemy fire during the continuing hostilities. On 29 January that pilot, WO1 Anthony Dal Pozzo, Jr, died of wounds received the day before. On 27 February 1973, the 18th Aviation Company stood-down and began transferring equipment to the VNAF, while continuing to support Military Region IV with 3 aircraft. Draw-down was completed on 13 March 1973 and the unit was transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

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