Informal portrait of 2088 Lieutenant Robert George Ray, Observer, and R59629 Leading Airman ...

Accession Number P05707.025
Collection type Photograph
Object type Transparency
Maker Speedy, Ian Maxwell (Max)
Place made Vietnam: South Vietnam
Date made March 1969
Conflict Vietnam, 1962-1975
Copyright

Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright

Description

Informal portrait of 2088 Lieutenant Robert George Ray, Observer, and R59629 Leading Airman Aircrewman (LACM) Noel Ervin Shipp, both of the 2nd Contingent, RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam (RANHFV), probably at Bearcat Base. RANHFV is serving with the 135th Assault Helicopter Company (135th AHC), United States Army, providing tactical airlift and gunship support for Australian and allied ground forces. On 23 May 1969 LACM Shipp was killed in action in Vietnam. He was a door gunner on an Iroquois gunship helicopter which was shot down by enemy fire at a landing zone (LZ). The gunners were seen returning fire as the helicopter crashed. LACM Shipp's fellow crew members, Specialist 4 Byron Bill Bowden, Warrant Officer Class 1 Steven Louis Martin and Captain Dennis Michael Phillips, all of the 135th AHC, were also killed.