67-68 SeaWolf

[STUBBY]

  While in a check-out line at a local hardware store,a women asked if I had been in HAL-3.  Turns out her Dad was in HAL-4 67-68.  Joe Brouchard was his name.  She already Knew about our site.

[Cindy Christina]

Hi. I am the woman you talked to from the store. My name is Cindy Christina. My dad's name was Joe Bouchard. He was the Maintenance Office of HAL-3 from 67-68. He earned a Bronze Star during the TET Offensive. He was extremely proud to be a Seawolf. He passed away in 2003.

[Richard King]

I did not know your dad, but several Seawolves have told me about him. He was well thought of by the guys in maintenance. Thanks for posting.

[Mike Louy]

Hello Cindy,

I knew your dad very well.  I am Mike Louy.  Your dad and I were in HS-11 before we went to HA(L)-3.  We were in the maintenance department together and spoke the same language.  When I got to HA(L)-3 I was assigned to Det.3.  I spent one night there.  Next morning after breakfast I was helping several other pilots rig up an FM antenna outside our hooch so we could talk with our incoming helos.  Well, after putting the antenna up, the radio didn't work.  We called an avionics technician down at the line to ask for help.  He recommended we take the antenna down and check the grounding for the head.

While taking the antenna down a guy wire came loose and the antenna fell into a 14,000 VAC power line.  I was holding firmly to the antenna metal pole with my right leg touching a pipe in the ground.  Needless to say I received two third degree burns, one to the left shoulder and one to the right ankle.  

When the us three antenna wizzards were in the Army field hospital in Vung Tau, your dad heard of our accident and came to visit me.  Several months later he was in Japan and visited me at the Naval Hospital in Yokosuka.

Now for something you will really like to hear.  When I got back to the squadron 5 mos. later, TET '68 broke out.  Things were really hot and heavy throughout the "Delta".  Your father took charge of Seawolf fire team scheduling at Vinh Long and did a masterful job.  I believe he was directly involved in helping repel the VC at the south end of the Army airfield.  If my memory serves me right, he drove a burning fuel truck away from some of our helos.  Many of the Det 3 guys could amplify my comments.  

Some years later, I ran into Joe at NAS Pt. Mugu where he was in charge of aircraft maintenance department.  We hoisted more than a few brews at the O'Club.  I believe Joe retired from the Navy at Pt. Mugu, and I attended his ceremony for sure.

Your dad was a patriot, superb leader, and "the finest sort of naval officer" John Paul Jones had recommended a naval officer should be.  May he rest in peace.


Warmest regards,

Mike Louy
Pensacola, FL

[Dan Arnes]

Bronze Star (with Combat V) and Combat Action Ribbon...