Steve,
My name is Russell Layton. I was a crewchief with the 128th AHC 10/68-1069.

I have been developing a database since 11/2002. I have about 900 names plus book data so far
and have included some of the data in the charts on Paul Bonnette. If his immediate family or
Ken Woodward would give me the OK, I'd be glad to give you access to the charts.

I was in contact with Ken but his email address has since failed:

3/30/03
----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----
< sgtkcwoodward@attbi.com >
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   ----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors ----- 5/7/03
<sgtkcwoodward@attbi.com >
   ----- Transcript of session follows -----
... while talking to  gateway.attbi.com  .:
>>> RCPT To:<sgtkcwoodward@attbi.com>
<<< 550 mailbox unavailable [INACTIVE]
550 <sgtkcwoodward@attbi.com>... User unknown
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would like to regain contact with Ken but I haven't heard from him since.

Does Paul's family still live in Springfield, Ma??

All 128th alumnus and their families are permitted access to the database. I will forward the
instructions to download the charts as soon as I receive your info.
Later,
Russ

Name: Steve Morrissey
Email: AAAMORRISSEY@AOL.COM 
Veteran: Other
Year: 1980-1985
Date: Monday, October 28, 2002
Comments: My cousin PAUL BONNETTE served with you guys and lost his life on Nov.25,1968,
he was a door gunner. Have contact with Ken Woodward, who was the crew chief and lived with
 Paul for 5-6 months. Would like to here from anyone who knew Paul or may have photos, info. of
him etc. would be greatly appreciated. I am trying to document his time and end of his life in
Vietnam for relatives and future generations. ANY info on UH1-B 62-01874 also he lost his life on
this a/c. I personally salute each and everyone of you. Steve Morrissey AAAMORRISSEY@AOL.COM 

128th AHC database Database info:

BONNETTE, Paul Eugene MA SP4 Gunslinger GUN 7-Dec-67 25-Nov-68

128th AHC "NAME" cell comments:

--- General / Personal ---
Last name: BONNETTE
First name: PAUL EUGENE
Home of Record (official): SPRINGFIELD
State (official): MA
Date of Birth: Wednesday, January 1, 1947
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single
--- Military ---
Branch: Army
Rank: SP4
Serial Number: 52956610
Component: Selective Service
Pay grade: E4
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 67A1F
Major Organization: 1st Aviation Bde
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Thursday, December 7, 1967
Date of Casualty: Monday, November 25, 1968
Age at time of loss: 21
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Air loss - Crashed on land (Crew member - Helicopter)
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Bien Hoa
The Wall: Panel 38W - Row 055
Aircraft :   62-01874
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1B tail number 62-01874
The Army purchased this helicopter 1062
Total flight hours at this point: 00003636
Date: 11/25/1968
Incident number: 68112555.KIA
Unit: 128 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
This was a Recon mission for Armed Escort , Other Aircraft.
Unknown this helicopter was Unknown at UNK feet and UNK knots.
Unknown
UTM grid coordinates: YT020276
Helicopter took 1 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
causing a Fire.
Systems damaged were: UNK
Casualties = 01 DOI, 03 INJ . .
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Burned
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, UH1P3, 33001 (Operations Report. )
Loss to Inventory

Crew Members:
G SP4 BONNETTE PAUL EUGENE KIA
This record was last updated on 05/25/1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard B (Rick) Kerkow wrote:   On November (25 Nov 68) there was a gunship that landed hard after a forced landing,
 rolled and burned.  Three of the crew got out, but SP4 Paul Bonnette the door gunner was trapped in the wreck. 
Jack Switzer (GS-32) was the A/C, I don't recall the others, off-hand.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name: SP4 Paul Eugene Bonnette
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 11/25/1968 while performing the duty of Gunner.
Age at death: 21.9
Date of Birth: 01/01/1947
Home City: Springfield, MA
Service: component of the U..S. Army.
Unit: 128 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 38W-055
Aircraft: UH-1B tail number 62-01874
Service number: 52956610
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67A1F = Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: door gunner
Started Tour: 12/07/1967
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Bien Hoa Province III Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Episcopal (Anglican)
The following information is secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class:
 enlisted personnel

This record was last updated on 04/12/1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SP4, door gunner (Pg. 13, 10/1/68-12/31/68),  A memorial was held so the Tomahawks could pay their last respects.
On 25 November 1968, grief again struck the Tomahawks, this time by the loss of SP4 Paul E. Bonnette, a door
gunner for the Gunslingers. The gunship Specialist Bonnette was flying in was shot down near Tan Uyen. When the
ship hit the ground, it flipped, throwing him out, the aircraft then came to rest on top of Specialist Bonnette. The pilot
and crew chief attempted to pull him out, but exploding Ammunition and the spreading fire caused them to abandon
their efforts. The pilot, lLT James Powell, said that he believed Specialist Bonnette was dead while they were trying
 to get him loose. A memorial was held for Specialist Bonnette and once again the Tomahawks gathered to pay their
last respects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Russell,

I too have lost contact with Ken. Thanks for the info on Paul. I'm trying to gather info on what
happened on that day. members of the  "GUN SLINGER'S" have helped greatly. I'll ask my Step Mom
who is a Bonnette and get the status on Paul’s family. I know Paul’s sister is alive.

If you have any more info or pics. please let me know. all the info I am collecting is for family.

                                 Thanks  Steve Morrissey

MORE UPDATES PAGE 3

BACK TO TOM TOM MENU PAGE