Info Sheet - James A. "Jim" Kreil
James Kreil, LOH Scout, Crew Chief, Apr 2969 to October 1969
I served in Vietnam for 1 year, 6 months, and 4 days with the US Army Republic of Vietnam (USARV). Initially, I was assigned to the 725th Maintenance Battalion and was on duty as a CQ Runner during the early morning attack on U.S. military’s Cu Chi Base Camp. The raid targeted the base used by the 25th Infantry Division and other units, occurred during the early morning of Feb 26 1969.
I heard the crack of an RPG at 0400 and reported the attack to the 1st Sergeant. My orders were to wake the troops for Reactionary guard duty at the bunker line. Next, I ran over to Battalion and was sent back to hole up behind a wall of sandbags with the 1st Sergeant.
The NVA sappers had breached the bases employing explosives and RPGs. Their primary target was the airfield. We would later learn, sappers destroyed 9 Chinook helicopters and blew up the ammunition dump. 250 American lives were lost that day.
I extended my service to fly with D Troop as a Scout Crew Chief (OH-6A) flying with multiple pilots in different aircrafts. Most pilots I never saw again. The first pilot I flew with was shot down on a separate assignment shortly after we flew together.
Eventually I was assigned my own LOH scout helicopter, tail number 17177, and was partnered to fly with CW2 Bob Forringer. Bob and I flew many dangerous missions together and as part of hunter-killer teams. I like to think due to Bob’s exceptional flying skills and my combat readiness role we always returned to base safely (Not Dumb Luck).
Toward the end of my tour with D Troop, the alarm would signal a downed helicopter. I happened to be in the vicinity of a Cobra gunship preparing to fly. The pilot, CPT "Budda" Sinclair, urgently signaled to me to get in the front seat of his Cobra gunship. CPT Sinclair wanted to take off for a ‘search and rescue‘. The search was for a bird, carrying 3 men, that was shot down. The rescue turned out be a recovery mission. I knew the crew and had flown with the downed pilot shortly after I joined D Troop. LIFE magazine memorialized the men along with 239 other service men in the May 28, 1969 issue, One Weeks Dead, article on Vietnam.
Just a week short of my tour ending, LTC McGowan, using tail number 17177 for C and C tripped a Bouncing Betty mine and damaged the aircraft, marking the end of my time in Vietnam.
I would reconnect with fellow ¾ Calvary and Centaurs 46 years later at a Harrisburg reunion (2026). Bob Forringer was one of those Centaurs. We spent the time reflecting on our missions in Vietnam and the friendship forged during our service. Bob and I have stayed in touch ever since.
Awards: National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Aircrew Badge, Good Conduct Medal, and the Cross of Gallantry