1984 — March 24, USMC Helicopter crash into Mt., 24M no. of Pohang S. Korea-18US of 29

–29 Los Angeles Times. “`It’s Getting Worse’: Copter Victim’s Tape…” 5-14-1986.
–29 (18 US). Keating. In the Dark of the Night: Night Vision Goggles… 1991.
–29 (18 US). New Mexican, Santa Fe. “Marine helicopter…down…S. Korea…” 3-24-1984, p. 9.
–29 (18 US). Roswell Daily Record, NM. “Marine helicopter crashes; 31 dead.” 3-25-1984, 20.
–29 (18 US). The News, Frederick, MD. “Hunt Ends for Crash Survivors.” 5-7-1985, p. 1.
–18 Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (165170 to 160006). 11-7-2011.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion….157132 crashed near Hunghae, South Korea Mar 24, 1984. 18 occupants killed.” (Baugher. US Navy…Marine…BuNos…(156170 to 160006). 11-7-2011.)

Keating: “1984 CH-53 29 [fatalities] PVS-5 FFP 53% [Moon] 21 Degs. Aircrew Dash 3 [6] flew into mountain in poor weather during troop assault mission. 14 of 29 killed were South Korean Marines.” (Keating, USMC Major George H. In the Dark of the Night: Night Vision Goggles (NVG) Mishaps Lessons Learned. 1991.)

Newspapers – Chronological:

March 24, AP: “Seoul, South Korea (AP) — A U.S. Marine Corps helicopter carrying 18 Americans and 11 South Koreans crashed into a mountainside early Saturday while taking part in military exercises along the southeast coast, military officials said. There was no immediate word on casualties, but officials described the crash as “violent” and the crash site as “extensive.”

“Rescue and investigating teams were reported on the scene about 200 miles southeast of Seoul. A military announcement said the U.S. Navy vessel Belleau Wood was standing by offshore “to provide assistance as required.” The Belleau Wood, an amphibious assault ship, is equipped with a surgical hospital.

“Officials said the helicopter was engaged in Team Spirit ’84, an annual training maneuver involving thousands of U.S. and South Korean military personnel. The war games began Feb. 11 and will continue into April.

“Announcement of the crash was made by the Team Spirit press center. The report placed the crash site 24 miles north of Pohang, a port town on the southeast coast that has been a center of activity for the maneuvers. The announcement said, “A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53D helicopter crashed this morning at approximately 4 a.m. (Korean standard time) about 24 miles north of Pohang during a Team Spirit exercise. There were 18 U.S. and 11 ROK (Republic of Korea) military personnel on the flight manifest. “The USS Belleau Wood, an amphibious assault ship, was standing by offshore to provide assistance as required. “An investigation is under way to determine the cause of the accident….

“The Marines’ CH-53 is known as the “Sea Stallion” and can carry 38 combat-loaded infantrymen. It normally has a crew of three….” (AP. “Marine helicopter goes down during S. Korea exercises.” New Mexican, Santa Fe. 3-24-1984, 9)

March 25, AP: “Seoul, South Korea (AP) — A U.S. military spokesman said today all 18 American and 11 South Korean Marines aboard a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter were killed when it crashed and burned in the rain-swept coastal mountains.

“Military teams searching the area determined there were no survivors in the fiery pre-dawn crash Saturday, said the spokesman. “We can confirm they are all dead,” he said. “They have the
bodies.”….

“A U.S. military report said the helicopter plowed into the side of a mountain about 25 miles north of the southeast port of Pohang. The military said the copter, one of six in the maneuvers, had been headed back to base at Pohang after deteriorating weather conditions forced cancellation of the night exercises. A fire, spotted on the mountainside, was the first indication of a crash. The report said “some bodies” were recovered Saturday. The rugged nature of the terrain about 200 miles southeast of Seoul made the grim hunt a slow, difficult process. “It was a violent crash that spread the helicopter all over,” one source said. “It covered a great area of steep, rugged mountain.”

“All the Americans aboard the helicopter were members of the 3rd Marine Amphibious Force based on Okinawa and in South Korea for the joint maneuvers, called Team Spirit ’84.

“The helicopter was a CH-53D type, a “Sea Stallion” that can carry as many as 38 marines and a crew of three. It was taking part in a night exercise involving the movement and landing of combat troops.

“Col. Rallin J. Aars, public affairs officer and spokesman for U.S. Forces in South Korea, gave this account:

“The helicopter which crashed was one of six helicopters which took off from Pohang Airfield…The weather when the helicopters took off was above minimum standards. However, as the flight continued the weather deteriorated. The mission was terminated and all aircraft were returning to Pohang when the helicopter crashed.”

“Aars said a Marine observation aircraft sighted a fire on a rugged mountainside and search and rescue operations got under way immediately….

“Elements of the 3rd Marine Amphibious Force are among some 60,000 American military people taking part in this year’s Team Spirit, the ninth annual exercises in the series. With the South Korean forces participating, the total number that will have been involved when Team Spirit ’84 ends next month will reach about 207,500.” (Associated Press. “Marine helicopter crashes; 31 dead.” Roswell Daily Record, NM. 3-25-1984, 20.)

March 27, UPI: “United Press International. The Pentagon has released the names of 17 of the 18 U.S. Marines killed in the crash of a helicopter Saturday in South Korea. Identity of the 18th victim was being withheld until relatives could be notified, a spokesman said. The list includes the home town of record:

Gunnery Sgt. Richard L. Djelko, Danbury, Conn.
Sgt. Kenneth B. Crosby, Houston, Texas.
Pvt. Anthony F. Dugas, Opelousas, La.
Pfc. Edwin C. Ferrell, Clover, Va.
Cpl. Tim V. Kelly, Fresno, Calif.
Cpl. Bradley McComas, Camden, Ohio.
Sgt. Kevin J. Mugoodwin, Gary, Ind.
Pfc. James T. Rooney, West Point, Iowa
Lance Cpl. Fernando Resales Jr., Brentwood, N.Y.
Pfc. William A. Soles, Baton Rouge, La.
Sgt. David C. Higgins, Somerset, Pa.
Lance Cpl. Daniel B. Zinzk, Framingham, Mass.
Pfc. John M. Andrews III, Watchung, N.J.
Lance Cpl. Herman L. Osceola, Culewiston, Fla.
Capt, John H. Huston, Gahanna, Ohio.
Capt. Steven Burley, Magnolia, N.J.
Cpl. Jeffrey Acquiston, San Dimas, Calif. [Jeff Aquisto]

“…All the Americans were members of the 3rd Marine Amphibious Force, based at Camp Butler, Okinawa….” (UPI. “Pentagon releases names of helicopter crash victims.” Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo. 3-27-1984 1 and 10.)

May 1985: “The casualties [new event] were the highest involving U.S. military personnel in the area since March 1984, when another Marine Corps CH-53D helicopter crashed into a Korean mountainside during military exercises, killing 18 Okinawa-based Marines and 11 Koreans.” (The News, Frederick, MD. “Hunt Ends for Crash Survivors.” 5-7-1985, p. 1.)

LA Times, 1986: “March 24, 1984: A CH-53D crashes into mountain in Korea during a night troop operation, killing 29. Probable cause: air crew error, lack of crew coordination, supervisory error.” (Los Angeles Times. “‘It’s Getting Worse’: Copter Victim’s Tape…” 5-14-1986.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Marine helicopter crashes; 31 dead.” Roswell Daily Record, NM. 3-25-1984, p. 20. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=157448163

Associated Press, Seoul, South Korea. “Marine helicopter goes down during S. Korea exercises.” New Mexican, Santa Fe, NM. 3-24-1984, 9. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=111483249

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (160007 to 163049). Oct 29, 2011 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries21.html

Bisson, Ted. Email dated 11-13-2021.

Keating, USMC Major George H. In the Dark of the Night: Night Vision Goggles (NVG) Mishaps Lessons Learned. 1991. At: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1991/KGH.htm

Los Angeles Times. “`It’s Getting Worse’: Copter Victim’s Tape Detailed Craft’s Faults.” 5-14-1986. At: http://articles.latimes.com/1986-05-14/local/me-5469_1_marine-corps-super-stallion-helicopter/2

The News, Frederick, MD. “Hunt Ends for Crash Survivors,” 5-7-1985, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=32681256

United Press International. “Pentagon releases names of helicopter crash victims.” Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo, Japan. 3-27-1984 1 and 10. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=133271914