Harper, Steven Francis, SP5

This Military Service Page was created/owned by SP6 Gary McJimsey to remember Harper, Steven Francis, SP 5.

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Date of Birth March 13, 1947
Caucasian
Presbyterian
Single (Never Married)
 
Father: Mr. Francis P. Harper, Nashville, Tennessee
Mother: Mrs. Juanita G. Harper, Springfield, Virginia
 
Regular Army - Enlisted.
Served in The U.S.. Army Approximately Two Years. 
Vietnam Tour of Duty Started December 5, 1967

Steven died from burns received while serving as the gunner while flying in an Army Huey Helicopter as a Crew Member during a military combat operation in the Thua Thien Province, U.S.. Military Region 1, Republic of South Vietnam. The aircraft, UH-1C 66-15239 crashed due to engine failure eight kilometers east-southeast of Phong Dien. Steven's Death Was a Non-Hostile Accident.

Age at Death 21 

Accident Summary for Helicopter UH-1C 66-15239:
 
WO Levi R. Reynolds was in route to rendezvous with the Firefly aircraft north of (Landing Zone) LZ Sally. Observers at coordinates 48Q YD621304, on the ground, heard the aircraft passing to their north generally in a westerly direction, and noted that it was sputtering. The aircraft continued approximately 1,000 meters to the northwest and was observed to begin descending. A ground observer at coordinates 48Q YD599309 noted that the engine emitted an orange glow at approximately 100 to 150 feet above ground level, to his front. The aircraft struck the ground in a near level attitude and at a high rate of descent, causing the tail boom to shear. The right hand rack and support and 2.75 rocket launcher, sheared from the airframe after contacting the rice paddy dike. The right aft portion of the longitudinal skid, and the rear cross tube failed upon initial impact. Simultaneously, the crew chief was thrown violently from the aircraft. The aircraft somersaulted to the left over the nose. The left forward portion of the longitudinal skid failed. The red main rotor blade struck the ground and failed causing the transmission to shear. The aircraft continued somersaulting and turned over on the roof, approximately 33 feet from the center of impact. Fire was nearly instantaneous. Four fatalities were sustained: WO1 Levi R. Reynolds, Helicopter Pilot - Copilot, CWO Walter J. O’Neil (WO1 Pay Grade at loss), Helicopter Pilot in Command, SP5 Steven F. Harper, Infantryman Flight Qualified, and SP5 David Bruce Emond, Helicopter Repairer. [Information is from the Vietnam Helicopters Pilots Organization web site and the Coffelt Database of Vietnam Casualties].