--------Received an email this morning from Gary Roush VHPA:
Commander Charles Stonestreet SAPP served in Vietnam, would like to find out what units and years he served there.
Charles S. Sapp, age 88, of Temple died Friday (23 Aug 2019)
Commander Charles S. Sapp (Ret. U.S. Navy), 88, of Temple, passed away August 23, 2019 at Scott and White Hospital.
Charles was born August 18, 1931 to Charles Pinckney Sapp and Anne Alene Stonestreet Sapp in Concord, North Carolina. He graduated from Concord High School and later completed his Bachelors attending Lees McRae Junior College, the University of North Carolina and the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California.
Charles served our country in the U. S. Navy as a Naval aviator. He served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, and was awarded a Purple Heart, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Individual Air Medals, 26 Strike Flight Air Medals, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation and a Navy Unit Commendation.
His own recovery from alcoholism was such a large part of his life that it became his life's work; for example, he started and managed Employee Assistance Programs, served as a board member in recovery organizations, and was a sought after industry leader well into retirement. He helped many other men and women become better versions of themselves.
Charles was caring, playful, curious and optimistic. He enjoyed people immensely and loved family, history, comedy, and sports. He will be missed by many.
Mr. Sapp is preceded in death by his son, Gordon Sapp; daughter, Jennifer Sapp; parents; and sister, Anne Morrison.
Survivors include his wife of over 30 years Nikki; his children: Rick Sapp, Steve Sapp (Naomi), Brice Patterson (Ashley), Jennifer Pitts, Lisa Cranston, Kathy Arel, and Sue Anderson (Steve); and grandchildren including grandsons: Keyana Sapp and Wyatt Sapp.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Crossroads A Substance Abuse Treatment Provider at 1700 E. Thomas, Phoenix, AZ 85016
https://thecrossroadsinc.org/giving-opportunities/ or Fisher House Foundation, 12300 Twinbrook Pkwy, Suite 410 Rockville, MD 20852
https://www.fisherhouse.org/
Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Temple. Funeral services are pending with Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.
Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Temple, Texas is in charge of the arrangements.
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Gave Gary Roush some known information on his tour with HA(L)-3 and HC-2 prior to HA(L)-3
Seawolf Charles "Chuck" Stonestreet SAPP, CDR, Pilot and OinC of Dets 3 and 7 with HA(L)-3 in Vietnam from 7/28/1967 to 7/19/1968. He is also a Plank Owner of the Squadron.
One HA(L)-3 Mission:
"Several days later, I went back to Camp Thuong Thoi, dead heading in a Seawolf fire team led by Lieutenant Commander “Chuck” Sapp, the OIC of Det 7. While we were there, the Special Forces asked for our help in relieving a unit on the Vietnamese side of a canal that formed the Cambodia - Vietnam border. Chuck checked his charts, talked it over with his wingman, and decided to take the mission. The plan was that the fire team would make one firing run as it flew east to west parallel to, but not over or close to the Vietnam side of the canal. The only ordnance used would be from the port sides of the aircraft – the side away from the border canal. We hoped that indicated to those in Cambodia that we were not firing at them or their nation. While Chuck and his people were concentrating on ensuring the ordnance did not come close to the canal, I was looking out the starboard door at Cambodia, perhaps 200 - 250 meters away. I was really focusing on a Cambodian fort, clearly identified by its flag and watching what appeared to be a 20mm gun slowly tracking us as we made the firing run. Fortunately, Chuck's plan worked, or, the Cambodians did not have any ammunition.
Ref: pgs 64-65 TF-116, HAL-3 History, Glickman 67-68.pdf
Prior to HA(L)-3, Charles was assigned to HC-2 Det 26 in 1965 according to
Ref: "The Hook - Summer 1998" page 29, and "Leave No Man Behind" pg. 239 [Det 62 in latter reference]."A later rescue by LCDR Chuck Sapp, LT Tim Thomassey and ADJ1 P.C. Jones of HC-2 Det 26, deployed on USS Independence, revealed serious limitations in the UH-2’s effectiveness. Operating from Richmond K. Turner (DLG-20), the Fleet Angel crew had difficulty in rescuing two F-4 crewman from a North Vietnamese mountain top. At altitude, their Seasprite could not maintain a hover. After emptying the cabin, they made the pickup, performing two slow passes over the survivors while dangling the rescue collar. Chuck Sapp received the Silver Star for the mission; Thomassey and Jones were awarded DFCs."
Dan
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