28 Jun 2000 Specialist Five Larry Eugene Collier was the son of Emma and Hoyt Collier. A graduate of Toccoa Falls High School and North Georgia Tech, Gene was trained as a helicopter repairman assigned to the First Infantry Division in Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam. Gene died in a helicopter collision on 4 July 1968. He was interred with full military honors in the Stephens Memorial Gardens. Specialist Five Larry Eugene Collier is remembered and honored by his community and by his comrades in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Leon Williams Post 4346, Toccoa, Stephens County, Georgia. kjdavis@alltel.net Stephens County, Georgia, lost eight of its sons in Vietnam. All are memorialized on The Virtual Wall. William H. AYERS SP4, AUS 1948-69 Gregorio M. CAMACHO SFC, AUS 1931-68 Larry E. COLLIER SP5, AUS 1944-68 Jacky L. DRURY SP4, AUS 1949-70 Sponsored by VFW Post 4346 Tommy C. HEATON CPL, AUS 1946-69 Marshall H. ISBELL PFC, AUS 1946-67 Emory F. JOHNSON LCPL, USMC 1943-67 William L. PHILLIPS Captain, AUS 1945-70

 

08 Apr 2007 SP 5 Collier was assigned to the Scout Platoon known as the "Outcasts". This platoon name was used to identify each member of the platoon. Lt. Bosworth was Outcast 16 and Sp5 Collier was Outcast 16R (Outcast One Six Romeo). Sp5 Eugene Collier's mission during his tour in Vietnam was Crew Chief and Door Gunner on Outcast aircraft. All of his missions included low level flight or nap-of-the-earth flying to locate enemy traffic and enemy positions. Sp5 Collier faced death every day he boarded his aircraft and was exposed to enemy fire on a daily basis. Larry was an exceptional crew chief who took pride in his aircraft. He often took new Outcast crew chiefs under his wing to teach them aircraft maintenance and teach them about Outcast missions. We will always remember Larry for his dedication to duty and keen sense of responsibility to his platoon, The Outcasts! I am proud to have served with Sp 5 Larry E. Collier and he will be remembered by all Outcasts June 23-25, 2007, Orlando, Fl as we (Outcasts) gather in remembrance of all fallen Outcasts and members of D Troop (Air), 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Inf Division. From an Outcast pilot, 1968, Dennis J. Cherry 368 Ashton Way, Winder, Ga 30680 outcast16@alltel.net

 

Notes from The Virtual Wall At approximately 0655 hours, 4 July 68, an OH-6A light observation helicopter (tail number 67-16018) of D Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, departed Lai Khe enroute to an operational area approximately 11 kilometers northeast of Lai Khe. The OH-6 was crewed by MAJ Frederick G. Terry, Jr, pilot and Commanding Officer, D/1/4 Cav; 1LT Daniel Norbert Glowacki, forward artillery observer; and SP5 Larry Eugene Collier, crew chief. Their mission was to provide command and control for other helicopters of D/1/4 Cav which were supporting a convoy of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry. At approximately 0810 hrs, 4 Jul 68, the D/1/4 Cav Scout Team led by Lieutenant Raymond P Bosworth flying in OH-6A tail number 66-7854, departed Lai Khe for the same area. At approximately 0850 hours, the command vehicle of B Co, 2/2 Infantry, hit a mine and took five casualties. When B/2/2 called for a medevac, MAJ Terry proceeded to their area and radioed LT Bosworth to do likewise. The two aircraft arrived overhead at the same time, both in descending right-hand turns but with Terry slightly behind, slightly higher, and slightly faster than Bosworth. Terry's aircraft overtook and collided with Bosworth's at an altitude of about 100 feet. After the collision, Bosworth's aircraft continued on the same general heading until it crashed into the ground and burned. Terry's aircraft continued in a right descending turn and crashed approximately 45 meters from the other aircraft. Five men died in the collision - the three in Terry's aircraft and LT Raymond P Bosworth and SP4 Dirk J Westra in the second OH-6A.

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