JIMMY RAY GARBETT
Unit: Company A, 5th Battalion, 12th Infantry,
199th Light Infantry Brigade
Date of Birth: 30 August 1948 (Quitman GA)
Home City of Record: Lake City FL
Date of Loss: 09 October 1969
Country of Loss: South Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 110546N 1070433E (YD267273)
Status (in 1973): Killed/Body Not Recovered
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: UH1D
Refno: 1500
Other Personnel in Incident: Dallas A. Driver;
Raymond G. Moore; James L. Suydam; James H. Turner;
(all missing). WO Kilbourne (the pilot-survived);
unnamed crew chief, (survived immediate crash,
later drowned-remains recovered); CW4 James W.
Bailey (aircraft commander - remains recovered)
Source: Compiled from one or more of the following:
raw data from U.S. Government agency sources,
correspondence with POW/MIA families, published
sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W.
NETWORK in 1998.
REMARKS: IN RIV - 2 REMS RCV - NSUBJ - J
SYNOPSIS: On October 9, 1969, a UH1H helicopter
crew and passengers were attempting an extraction
from a mined pickup zone in eastern Long Khanh
Province, South Vietnam near the shores of the
Song Dong Nai River.
During the extraction attempt, the helicopter's
rotor blade struck trees, causing the loss of
rotor RPM's and lift capability. The helicopter
began losing altitude, turned right and headed west
and downriver in an attempt to regain air speed.
Shortly thereafter, the aircraft struck 15-20 feet
of water in an almost level attitude, and sank on
its left side in less than 10 seconds.
Immediate and continuous air and water searches,
loudspeaker broadcasts, and phamplet distributions
were conducted during the period of 9-15 October
and 19-21 October, suspended October 16-18 only
because of poor weather conditions. No recovery
was made of any of those missing from the aircraft,
but the remains of two personnel aboard were
located and subsequently identified.
A LRRP swimmer trying to inspect the site had
difficulty staying afloat even with a rope. The
individual reported that equipment seen on the
shore after the crash appeared to be alternately
submerged and then reappear. It could not be
determined at the time how many persons escaped
the aircraft. One who was known to escape
(unnamed in Army records) reported that he could
not make it to shore and went under. Another
survivor reported seeing him go down within 3-4
feet of him, but never saw him again. One of the
individuals who was initially seen to survive,
later drowned or was lost in the indicent.
The only survivor of the original crash was WO
Kilbourne, the pilot. The two remains located were
identified as the crew chief, who had survived the
immediate crash, but later drowned. CW4 James W.
Bailey, the aircraft commander, was lost and
The waters of the Song Dong Nai River were swift
and treacherous. It is particularly tragic that
men who survived an aircraft would drown trying to
reach safety. Driver, Garbett, Moore and Turner
were listed as Killed, Body Not Recovered. Since
their remains were never found, they are listed
with honor among the missing.
Unlike the crew of the UH1H, many of the cases of
missing Americans in Southeast Asia have no clear
resolution. Some were known to have been captives,
but simply did not come home. Others were alive
and well the last time they were seen. Reports
continue to be received on some, specifically by
name and location. Many authorities believe that
there are hundreds still alive being held against
Although the U.S. has named the resolution of the
POW/MIA issue of "highest national priority",
little seems to have been done for those who wait
for their country to secure their freedom.
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