John Phillip Supple
Warrant Officer
Killed In Action 05 April, 1968
24 Years Old, Single. Born December 30, 1943, From New York, New York.
Length Of Service 2 Years, His Tour Of Duty Began On February 27, 1968.
Casualty Was On April 05, 1968 in Hua Nghia, South Vietnam.
Hostile Action, Small Arms Fire, Body Was Recovered.
Panel 48E - Line 21
"Greater Love Hath No Man Than To Lay Down His Life For His Brother"
Account Of John's Final Mission
Written By A Crewmember That Day--(Name Respectfully Withheld)
Mr. Supple was still in the learning phase of how to fly into LZ's when it was decided that the following day he would fly left seat for the first time. That evening, we had a small unit party-cooking steaks, etc. During the party, Mr. Supple asked the company clerk how insurance would be dispersed in the event of his death. The clerk assured him that all would be taken care of. Mr. Supple even mentioned that the next day would be different, but he wanted to fly, and was comfortable with the thought of his feelings. The next day was my first day to fly first up, and his first day as left seat. All quite exciting for the start of a perfect weather day.
Mr. Anthony Peters was flying right seat (the senior pilot). He was considered by many in the unit to be one of the best pilots in Vietnam. He and Mr. Alderson continually battled for that slot. They both had the ideal of Major Kelly in their flying service-Dedicated Unselfish Service To Our Fighting Forces-DUSTOFF. Mr. Alderson was more of a risk taker, and enjoyed action filled LZ's, whereas Mr. Peters was a calmer pilot-sure flying, calculated in his endeavors, and brilliant with decision making. Very reactive at the stick and had a born natural gift of handling any type of LZ and weather condition. Mr. Supple was considered by Mr. Peters as an individual capable of being an excellent pilot. He felt he was ready to take command of first-up missions-and he was!
The Crew Chief was a young SP4 that also was considered the best in the unit. He was also helpful to the medics in that he could start IV's and teamwork with the patients.
Then there was me--the new medic in the
company. Inexperienced except for practicing at second-up missions,
reserved, quiet, and loved excitement and risk taking. However, in any
event, very scared and asking like usual: "What ever possessed me to volunteer
for this unit?"
The field phone rang in the first-up hooch. (Most of us learned to hate the sound of that phone, a cranking, loud, crackling, signaling us to get up, get into gear, and get bookin' to help someone less fortunate). As was to be usual, we made record time getting airborne. Mr. Supple going thru flight checks, and Mr. Peters getting flight and artillery clearances as well as checking the maps. To me it was a time to get excited. We took off with the usual sharp right turn and low take off. Radios active between the crew, the unit we were to support, and air clearance directions. Mr. Peters kept instructing and encouraging Mr. Supple.
I remember Mr. Peters echoing "Oh Shit! It's Garwood Pumpkin again!" That was the call sign for a Special Forces unit assigned with an ARVN patrol. We identified the smoke color for the LZ, then went about 5 miles back and hit the deck to come in along a tree line. It was all quiet. Mr. Peters was telling Mr. Supple he was doing good and get ready to flare and set it down quick, because that unit has been under attack and didn't know how much suppressive fire it could give. As we started the usual flare to stop as quick as possible, I could hear gun fire and see tracers. Then I could hear the bullets hitting the chopper. The Crew Chief and I were firing back. Mr. Peters was radioing Garwood Pumpkin for suppressive fire. "Let's get some suppressive fire here!" The whole ARVN unit was taking cover and didn't fire one round. We were taking rounds all over the place! Just as the helicopter was settling down, I heard "Damn It!-Medic, Get Up Here Fast!! Then, "Garwood, We're Out Of Here, I Have A Pilot Hit, And We're Taking Hits--Give Us Support!" I looked at the cockpit and Mr. Supple was slouched over his stick with blood on his neck. Mr. Peters was flying right over where the fire was coming from. We kept taking rounds as we flew over. I pulled Mr. Supple's head back and (graphic description omitted). Blood was also rushing from the back of his neck. I called for the Crew Chief to help hold his head. I grabbed for the dressings. He was unconscious. The Crew Chief started to hook up an IV as I was trying to control the bleeding. The console and floor was covered with blood.
Mr. Peters said we were losing pressure and didn't know if we could reach Cu Chi. I could see fluid spewing out along the fuselage. We radioed the 12th Evac. to let them know what we had, and to have Docs at the landing pad. "Wide Minnow", the 68th Med Group Headquarters (my old unit) broke in to try to divert us directly to the 24th Evac. Hospital (a neuro surgical hospital) in Long Binh. No way we could make it there. We were lucky to land at the 12th Evac. in Cu Chi with a hard landing, and just barely at that with zero pressure as we were coming in.
Later, the First Sergeant asked me if I wanted to take the day off, but I knew I had to get back at it, so I volunteered to stay on first-up. The next mission I was left on the ground due to a rocket attack, and had not yet learned to always keep a foot on the skids, and so started another first-up episode that could not fulfill the tribute, honor, nor respect of Mr. Supple on his first try at AC. He is the epitome of what we are called to do, and he did it well! I learned that he could not be stabilized and had passed away as they were getting ready to transport him to Long Binh.