D/227 Guns Blog

Our website began in the early 1980’s as a place to find former friends and record our history from Vietnam. Over the years we have added to this online history with the support of our members (and their families) and the site now contains an extensive record of our stories, photos, documents, etc.

Website Synopsis

As a “last man standing” organization it was time to archive this legacy so that it will be available for future generations.

Our 227th History (website, documents. stories, photos, videos, etc.) is now permanently archived at Archive-It.org

Archive-it Blog posting

Our active website is currently being archived on a regular basis and will continue to be updated until the active website is no longer in operation. All the videos, photos, documents, stories are now in the permanent archive – and more can still be added. If you have any of these items that you would be willing to share – now is the time – in order to get them into the archive.

As our videos are now part of the permanent archive we are now using that archive to host all our videos so you will see a change in our blog video postings which have updated links for the videos (from the former host “Vimeo” to our 227th Video Archive.

Directions for using the Archive

After any of our archived video pages complete loading – In the yellow banner at the top of the page – click the small blue play button at the end of the line of text. After clicking that blue play button all the video controls on this video page will work in normal fashion.

Paul Kearns has a book available on Amazon about his tour with B/227 in 1968-1969.
He has graciously agreed to allow us to publish the story on our 227th website

365 Days with Letters Home

LT David G Oswalt served with the 1CAV 1968-1969. From his photos and videos it appears that he served with D/227 during that time frame. His duaghters have donated his photos and videos for our online history. The following five short videos are those he sent home from Vietnam.

David G Oswalt, D/227, 68-69, Vietnam Video 1

Our website is beginning the process to shut down over the next few years.
Please use the following links to view these videos which are now hosted on our 227th AHB Video Archive on Archive-It.org

David G Oswalt, D/227, 68-69, Vietnam Video 1

David G Oswalt, D/227, 68-69, Vietnam Video 2

David G Oswalt, D/227, 68-69, Vietnam Video – Shower Shenanigans

David G Oswalt, D/227, 68-69, Vietnam Video – Awards Ceremony

David G Oswalt, D/227. 68-69. Vietnam Video – Boxing Fun

After your choice of archived Video page completes loading – In the yellow banner at the top of the page – click the small blue play button at the end of the line of text. After clicking that blue play button all the video controls on this video page will work in normal fashion.

At our business meeting during our 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion 2023 reunion a committee was formed to look into funding a memorial plaque to be installed at the National Museum of the United States Army, Fort Belvoir, VA.

From 1965 to 1972, aircraft and crews of the 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion served proudly in the sky over Vietnam. When the unit came home, the 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion continued to serve our nation and does so even to this day as descendant Regiments within the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, Fort Hood.

Our committee is working to establish a unit tribute plaque at the National Museum of the United States Army for the 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion.
 
The plaque will be positioned along the Path of Remembrance and is 12″x18″ in size. It is to be engraved in polished Mesabi Black granite. Members are currently working on the final design within the parameters set by the National Museum. This will be an excellent way for those of us that came home from deployments and served in the unit to establish a notable remembrance of the unit’s history.  

We need everyone’s help to do it. Including you. The cost for the plaque is $5,000 and that is our goal. To achieve this, we need your help. Your contribution will take us one step closer to making this endeavor a reality.

Make a donation there through paypal or venmo. Continue reading

Saul Garcia has compiled a listing of AH-1G aircraft assigned to D/227 from records previously provided by John Brennan (author of books on Vietnam Helicopter Names and Noseart) and CW2 Martin Beckman who provided a list of AH-1G aircraft assigned to Company D, 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry, for the time period 1969-1970.

If you are able to add any information to this listing please email:

Saul also provided a photo of AH-1G tail number 68-15209 after the crash at Lai Khe

Several of our members have taken the opportunity to participate in the Library of Congress project to record their oral history. The website for this project is:
https://www.loc.gov/vets/

You can search their site from that page.

If you search for [ 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion ] you will find several videos from our members.
Another different search [ 227th ] will result in more videos of members from the 227th AHB.

Gary Bridges (AKA Matt Jackson), A/227AHB, 1969-1970, has written a three book series about his Vietnam experience flying with the 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion. His first book: “Undaunted Valor: An Assault Helicopter Unit in Vietnam” details daily events and missions with A/227. His second book: “Undaunted Valor: Medal of Honor” includes information about the 1970-1971 actions of the unit as the 227th units were reassigned when the 1CAV returned home to the US. His third book will be available in November: “Undaunted Valor: Lam Son 719” covers the actions by numerous units as they supported Vietnamese units in action in Laos, with details about the actions by D/227.

All of these books are well researched and give an accurate account of the events and actions of flying for the 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division during Vietnam.

All of these books are available now on Amazon (softcover or kindle).

Gary Boyer, A/227, 1968-1969 Provided a photo of a record by Bill Ellis which was given out to 1CAV Troopers as they left Vietnam in 1969.

James Hudgens, D/227, 2/67-2/68, 3rd Platoon Leader has provided information about the disposition of D/227 during his tour.

“During my year we never operated as a company.  1st Platoon was attached to A company in Phan Thiet and stayed there the entire year.   2nd Platoon was attached to B company in multiple locations.  My 3rd Platoon was attached to C Company in Multiple Locations.  B & C with 2nd & 3rd Platoon were together for a short time at LZ Dog/English near Bong Son.  B Company with 2nd Platoon went west to Operation Delaware/Lam son 216 and C Company and 3rd Platoon went north to Chu Lai we stayed in Chu Lai for the remainder of my tour.  My Platoon was the gun cover for Fred Ferguson when he  won the MOH in Hue on 29 Jan 68.  I was not leading as I had gone into An Khe to out process.”