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Casualty Info
Home Town Selden, NY
Last Address Selden, NY
Casualty Date Mar 18, 1971
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Land
Location Laos
Conflict Vietnam War
Location of Interment Long Island National Cemetery (VA) - Farmingdale, New York
SP5 Russell G. Ahrens, crew chief, was killed on a flight into Laos during Lam Son 719 on 18 March 1971 when he was hit by .51 caliber antiaircraft fire. His crew did survive. He was killed while aboard a helicopter Dustoff ambulance, a UH-1H, from the 571st Medical Company / Detachment (Air Ambulance), 67th Medical Battalion. No tail number listed as he was the only casualty.
Note: These Dustoff detachments served as MedEvac units. Ahrens was the only 571st crewman killed in the operations into Laos.
