Info Sheet - Mark Jackson
Killed in Action 28 October 1969
Jack Craig- Fellow Pilot same unit
Phoenix AZ
Mark we went into country together I wish we could have come home together. I feel bad that I got the only Cobra slot when we got there. Tom Dooling and I spent a lot of time on the ground trying to get you out. I miss you and the other three that was with us when we all went to 25th ID. You were the 4th one to die and I knew that I was next. Some how I survived and came home. Rest in peace Brother. Jack "Centaur 55" D Troop 3rd Squadron 4th US Cavalry 25th ID Cu Chi Vietnam.
Nov 7, 2008
Tom Dooling, CW2 Cobra Pilot Centarur 52: I was the Cobra AC (Jack Craig was my Peter Pilot) when Mark Jackson was shot down - and my recollection of the crew was that the CE was named Patton - could be James Patton on the roster?? I remember him as I had to lay in a puddle of JP4/water under the aircraft to dig his leg out from under the mini gun mount and then carry him about 100 meters to the dust-off - I had a fuel rash on the right side of my body for about a week. I do not remember the observer's name, but I’m pretty sure that is was not Snoddy, Rhoades nor Matthews. I knew those guys pretty well — plus I believe that the observer was sent home due to his wound - his left elbow was pretty well messed up and he was medevac’d out with the CE. I know there was an after action report written on the entire incident — but no clue where it went to."
Jane Misenheimer Eleazer - Friend
Columbia SC
Not forgotten
Mark and I met and dated while he was stationed at Ft. Jackson in Columbia SC. I was 18 years old, he was 20. He talked about his family and being a helicopter pilot. He proudly showed me pictures of the copter he would be flying and talked about Vietnam. I was with him on the evening before he left Ft. Jackson for his assignment.(My Mom and Dad gave me an extra hour on curfew since he was leaving the next morning) He and I share the same birthdate, June 14th and I especially think about him on that day. I prayed for him and all those that went to Viet Nam and to this day continue to pray for those serving in our military around the world. Mark, like so many others gave their life and they are our TRUE heros. Mark Jackson, you will never be forgotten.
Jun 15, 2007
Helicopter OH-6A 68-17149
Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 68-17149
The Army purchased this helicopter 0569
Total flight hours at this point: 00000628
Date: 10/28/1969
Incident number: 69102888.KIA
Unit: D/3/4 CAV
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon
While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at UNK feet and 050 knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: XT165345
Helicopter took 4 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = 01 KIA, 02 INJ . .
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: OPERA, LNNF, HUGHS, CASRP, CRAFX (Operations Report. Lindenmuth New Format Data Base. Crash Facts Message. Casualty Report. )
Loss to Inventory
Crew Members:
P 1LT JACKSON MARK KIA
CE SP4 S SNODDY
G PFC R RHODES