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MAJ Mark E Cooper
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Behne, Edward Lee (Ed), MAJ.
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Home Town Abilene
Date of Passing Sep 09, 2006
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After a decorated military career, Edward Behne founded a flourishing helicopter company here
Vietnam War pilot 'fearless' in combat
By ROSANNA RUIZ Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
Sept. 16, 2006, 7:32PM
COURTESY OF KEN MULHOLLAND
Huey helicopter pilots Edward Lee Behne, left, later promoted to major, served with Capt. Ken Mulholland during the Vietnam War from 1967-68.
/*document.write(''); /*]]>*/ Retired Maj. Edward Lee Behne, a highly decorated Huey pilot during the Vietnam War who later started a lucrative helicopter company in Houston, has died of a heart attack. He was 65.
Behne, born in Abilene, enlisted in the Army in 1959.
During his three tours of Vietnam, he logged about 2,000 combat hours as a helicopter pilot in the 25th Battalion, 25th Infantry Division. As pilot in a company known as "Little Bears," Behne transported supplies and troops, often during fierce battles.
Capt. Ken Mulholland, who served with Behne during his first tour from 1967-68, said Behne was "fearless" in combat. For his valor, Behne was awarded numerous medals, including two Silver Stars and two Distinguished Flying Crosses.
"He was not a dangerous pilot — he never put a dent in a helicopter," Mulholland said. "When I say he was fearless, I don't mean he took unnecessary chances. ... He was a tremendous pilot."
The pair flew missions during the Tet offensive, which began Jan. 30, 1968. "Tet was a very busy time," Mulholland said. "It was fighting the war the way a guy would like to fight the war. ... We really clobbered them."
After the war, Behne flew crews and supplies to oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. In 1988, he founded Tex-Air Helicopters with just one helicopter. The Hobby Airport-based company flourished, growing to a fleet of more than 40 helicopters with multimillion-dollar annual earnings.
Steve Cowan, one of Tex-Air's early employees, said Behne insisted that his helicopters remain in mint condition. Even after a long day, Behne never failed to clean and polish his aircraft, he said.
"He used to say, 'Tex-Air, we fly with a flair,' " said Cowan, now a mechanic for the Houston Police Department's helicopter patrol. "He treated everybody with dignity — he was hard and fair at the same time. He was a major. He expected the job to get done."
Mulholland said he has spoken to some of Behne's business associates who described Behne as almost "too honest." "He was just the epitome of integrity. As a trustworthy friend, you could completely trust Ed," he said.
In 2004, Behne retired from the company and enjoyed hunting and spending time at his home in the Texas Hill Country, Cowan said.
Behne died Sept. 8. A memorial service was held Friday at Forest Park East Funeral Home. Behne's survivors include his wife, Mary Lynne Behne; two sons; and four stepchildren.
MAJOR EDWARD LEE BEHNE passed away on Sept. 8, 2006 in Houston,TX. Major Behne flew UH-1 Hueys in Vietnam from 1967 to 1970. He received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, one Legion of Merit, VN Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and Palm, two Silver Stars, six Bronse Stars, VN Service Medal (9 campaigns), two Meritorious Unit Citations and 80 Air Medals. He is the second most highly decorated pilot having served in the US Army in Vietnam. He retired as Major from the Army in 1979 and founded Tex-Air Helicopters, Inc. in 1988. In 2003, he retired to his passion, his most loved Hill Country ranch, where worked, hunted, and entertained his best friends and family members. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lynne, his two sons, Mark Behne and Mike Behne, four step children, Jimmy Gonzalez, Mark Gonzalez, Tanya Roland and Robert Hughey, brother, Richard Behne, sister, Gwen Pascal, one grandchild, Josephine Behne and 14 step grandchildren. Visitation will be held Friday, Sept. 15, 2006 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Forest Park East Funeral Home. Services will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Forest Park Funeral Home. Military honors to follow after service.
Vietnam War/Winter-Spring 1970 Campaign
From Month/Year
November / 1969
To Month/Year
April / 1970
Description This campaign was from 1 November 1969 to 30 April 1970. An increase in enemy-initiated attacks, at the highest level since 4-5 September signaled the start of the first phase of the Communist winter campaign. This was highlighted by intensified harassment incidents, and attacks throughout the Republic of Vietnam. In November-December these were heaviest in Corps Tactical Zones III and IV (around Saigon), primarily directed against Vietnamese military installations in order to disrupt the pacification program. The most significant enemy activity occurred in November with heavy attacks upon By Prang and Duc Lap in CTZ II (Central Vietnam).
By February 1970 the focus of enemy activity began to shift to CTZ I and II. Attacks increased steadily, reaching a peak in April 1970. Hostile forces staged their heaviest attacks in the Central Highlands near Civilian Irregular Defense Group camps at Dak Seang, Dak Pek, and Ben Het in I CTZ. The enemy also conducted numerous attacks by fire and several sapper attacks against U.S. fire support bases. This high level of enemy activity began in I CTZ in April and continued through May.
During the period 1 November 1969 through 30 April 1970 U.S. and allied forces concentrated on aggressive operations to find and destroy enemy main and local forces, the penetration of base camps and installations and the seizure of enemy supplies and materiel. These operations sought to deny the enemy the initiative and to inflict heavy losses in men and materiel. Further progress was made in Vietnamization through improving the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. As a result of these advances three brigades of the 1st U.S. Infantry Division and several major U.S.M.C. units were withdrawn from Vietnam during this period.
The enemy made several efforts to take the offensive at Dak Seang, which was attacked on 1 April 1970 and remained under siege throughout the month, and at Quang Duc in the By Prong-Duc Lap area which ended on 28 December. Only Vietnamese forces were engaged in both of these operations, the Quang Duc campaign involving some 12,000 ARVN troops. South Vietnamese forces again took the offensive on 14 April in a bold 3-day operation in the Angel's Wing area along the Cambodian border. The Vietnamese Army completed this mission in an aggressive professional manner without U.S. support-further evidence of their growing proficiency.