George Thomas Condrey, 3rdWarrant Officer281ST AHC, 10TH CAB, 17TH CAG, 1 AVN BDE Army of the United States 12 February 1944 - 08 May 1968 Atlanta, GA Panel 56E Line 037 |
 
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The database page for George Thomas Condrey, 3rd
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WO1 George Thomas Condrey III, pilot, was one of four men lost when UH-1C 64-14172 went down.
Condrey, James Dayton, aircraft commander, Daniel Jurecko, crew chief, and Robert Jenne, gunner, were on a combat support mission 35 nautical miles southwest of Da Nang on 08 May 1968. During the mission, the helicopter was completing a turn from the east to the west when it exploded in midair and plunged into the Buong River bank. The violent midair explosion of the aircraft indicated that it had been hit by an explosive projectile. Shortly after the incident, recovery personnel landed in the vicinity of the crash, but were unable to find any signs of life. On 12 May a ground patrol located the remains of 4 bodies. Two bodies were found in the wreckage, one along side, and one was 2 meters forward of the aircraft. All bodies were burned beyond recognition. Due to enemy activity and the badly deteriorated state of the remains, the remains were not recovered. Visit the |
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Located at Lenox Towers
Warrant Officer George Thomas Condrey, III was born in Atlanta, GA on 12 February 1944 and graduated from North Fulton High School in 1962 where he played quarterback for his football team. He attended Young Harris and Georgia Southern Colleges prior to enlisting in the United States Army on 6 June 1966. He took basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, aviator training at Fort Wolters, Texas and Fort Rucker, Alabama, graduating on 6 June 1967. Immediately following graduation from flight school, Condrey received orders for Vietnam and upon arriving in country on 13 July 1967, was assigned to the 281st Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter) in the 1st Aviation Brigade. Their primary mission was to support the 5th Special Forces Group and in that effort he flew more than 400 combat missions. On 8 May 1968, a Special Forces team on a sensitive reconnaissance mission in the A Shau Valley came under intense fire from a large enemy force. The team leader called for immediate assistance and a task force was quickly formed and airlifted to support their rescue. As WO Condrey arrived on the scene his aircraft came under heavy enemy fire. As the first aircraft with reinforcements approached the landing zone he flew his aircraft in close escort, placing accurate fire on the enemy positions and drawing their fire away from the lightly armed lift ships. He selflessly continued to provide this support to ensure the safety of the endangered force until his aircraft was hit by enemy fire, exploded and crashed on the bank of the Buong River. Warrant Officer Condrey's actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. The Distinguished Flying Cross was posthumously awarded to WO Condrey for his gallantry in action. This memorial will stand as a tribute to his valor, his sacrifice and his love for his home and country.
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The point-of-contact for this memorial is his unit association, 281st Assault Helicopter Company Association webmaster@281stahc.org 03 Dec 2001 |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 02/23/2003