Elwood Eugene Rumbaugh

Staff Sergeant
21ST SPECIAL OPS SQUADRON, 7TH AF
United States Air Force
10 September 1943 - 17 May 1975
Spangler, PA
Panel 01W Line 132

7TH AF

21ST SOS
CH-53

USAF Aircrew

Purple Heart, Air Medal, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Elwood Eugene Rumbaugh

16 Apr 2002

20TH SOS

Remembered by his squadronmates in the
20th Special Operations Squadron
the Green Hornets.


While off-loading Marines on the Western Beach of Koh Tang Island, Cambodia, in support of the Mayaguez incident, his CH-53 was hit by ground fire. The pilot managed a single engine takeoff and headed out to sea, skipping along the water, taking on water each time it hit the surface. The helicopter made it nearly a mile off shore when it crashed. The helicopter rolled on its left side and all of the crew managed to exit the helicopter; however, SSgt Rumbaugh disappeared a short time later and is presumed drowned. SSgt Rumbaugh was serving with the 21st SOS at the time of his death, but served with the 20th SOS in 1970-1971.

VirtualWall Note

Staff Sergeant Rumbaugh's remains have not been recovered.

From a fellow Green Hornet,
Robert Hall
Robert.Hall12@scott.af.mil

21 Nov 2002

Woody and his wife were close friends at Minot AFB. It is so disturbing to see such a good man lost, as well as the many others.

From a friend and co-worker,
Mike Pochowski
pochowskim@yahoo.com



The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a fellow Green Hornet,
Robert Hall
Robert.Hall12@scott.af.mil 
16 Apr 2002



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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 11/30/2002