27 May 2006 James P. Mann, Captain, U. S. Army, 5th Special Forces Group, Vietnam, was killed in action on 3 Oct 1968, exactly one month before he was to return to the World. I went through Special Forces Officers Course 68-1 at Fort Bragg, NC, with Jim, and we went though a lot together there. He was an exceptional individual, and there has not been a day since 1968 that I don't think about him and pray for him. We lost a number of brave young men in that war, and I pray that we have learned our lesson about political surrender sacrificing the lives of brave men. Jim left a wife, children, and a sister who all loved him, as did I and all of the rest of SFOC 68-1. Rest in peace Jim, and be with God. From a friend and classmate at SFOC, George R. Kucera 7339 W. Lund, Rathdrum, Id 83858 georgek692@aol.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 03 Oct 1968, during Operation CHINA BOY VI, the 3rd Mobile Strike Force Command got into a heavy engagement about 13 kilometers southwest of Thien Ngon, Tay Ninh Province. An emergency ammo resupply was called for, and the 117th Assault Helicopter Company responded. UH-1H tail number 67-17595 flew a dual mission, carrying both ammo and Captain James Mann, the 3rd MSFC Operations Officer. The Huey was hit hard as it approached for landing, collided with trees, and fell to the ground. The crew chief, SP4 Smith, was crushed beneath the fuselage, but the remaining three crewmen were able to exit the aircraft. Two were then killed by gunfire; only the pilot, CPT Arthur Frame, was rescued. Available information does not specify if Captain Mann was killed in the crash or by post-crash gunfire, but the Army casualty file does indicate that his body was not immediately recovered. The crew chief's body was trapped beneath the Huey wreckage and could not be recovered at the time. His remains were repatriated on 30 Nov 1994 and positively identified on 01 June 1999. The four men who died on the mission were 117th AHC aircrew: WO Martin E. Bixler, Glen Rock, PA, copilot SP5 Michael L. McCafferty, Lynn, MA, gunner SP4 Roger L. Smith, South Point, OH, crew chief Det B-34 (3RD MSFC), A Co, 5th SF Group: CPT James E. Mann, New Britain, CT

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